Roasted Leg of Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary, and Thyme Recipe
A classic and flavorful roasted leg of lamb seasoned with garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, and Dijon mustard, perfect for a special occasion or family dinner. This recipe delivers a tender, juicy lamb roast with a beautifully herb-infused crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Leg of Lamb
- 1 (5 pound) bone-in leg of lamb (trimmed)
Seasoning Mixture
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line a shallow roasting pan with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
- Prepare the Lamb: Pat the leg of lamb dry thoroughly using paper towels. Using a sharp knife, score the fat side of the lamb by making shallow cuts in a diamond pattern to help the marinade penetrate.
- Make Seasoning Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, olive oil, chopped rosemary, thyme leaves, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and ground black pepper until well combined.
- Apply Seasoning: Place the leg of lamb fat side up on a rack in the prepared roasting pan. Spread the garlic and herb mixture evenly over the lamb, rubbing it thoroughly into the scored cuts to infuse the flavor deeply.
- Roast the Lamb: Place the roasting pan in the oven and cook the lamb until it reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees F for medium doneness, which should take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on your oven and the meat’s thickness.
- Rest the Meat: Remove the lamb from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in a moist, tender roast.
- Serve: Slice the lamb and serve immediately, ideally paired with mini hasselback potatoes or your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Allow the lamb to come to room temperature before roasting for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy in cooking doneness.
- Resting the meat is crucial to keep it juicy and tender.
- For a more intense flavor, marinate the lamb with the herb mixture overnight in the refrigerator.
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste preferences; reduce salt if preferred.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: roasted leg of lamb, garlic lamb roast, herb crusted lamb, Mediterranean lamb recipe, oven roasted lamb