Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb (2024)

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You can make a tender and juicy Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb with just 15 minutes of prep and less than 2 hours of roasting time. A beautiful way to feed a hungry group of people, it’s a roast that’s perfect for your Easter table, but also wonderful for family meals and dinner parties all year long.

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Most of us are used to cooking chicken, pork and beef, but cooking a leg of lamb can be daunting. But I promise that if you follow this simple recipe, you’ll be rewarded with a mouthwatering meal with very little effort.

Table of Contents

  • Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb Ingredients
  • 3 Keys to success
  • FAQ
  • What to Serve Alongside
  • How to Make Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb
  • Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb Recipe

Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb Ingredients

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  • Olive Oil: Look for cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. It should have a vibrant greenish-yellow hue, which means it’s fresh and packed with flavor.
  • Dijon Mustard: Choose a Dijon mustard that’s creamy and has a good balance of tangy and spicy notes.
  • Garlic: Choose garlic cloves that are plump and firm with smooth skin. They should feel dense and not hollow.
  • Herbes de Provence: Look for a blend that smells fresh and has a rich color. It should have a good mix of rosemary, thyme, oregano, and lavender.
  • Kosher Salt: Quantity based on Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt – note that other brands such as Morton are almost twice as salty, so adjust the amount accordingly or to taste.
  • Black Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor. The peppercorns should be consistently sized and have a strong aroma.

“I made this last night and it’s become an instant family favourite … when my fussiest eater says “you can make that again, Mum”, you know it’s a winner! I teamed it with a side salad (it was a 40 degree day here in Australia) and a red wine reduction which teamed beautifully.”

helen

3 Keys to success

  1. Prepping the Lamb: Begin by unrolling the leg of lamb and trimming away the excess fat and tendon to ensure a tender roast.
  2. Herb Infusion: Massage the lamb inside and out with a fragrant mix of olive oil, fresh garlic, Herbes de Provence, and creamy Dijon mustard. This infuses deep flavor and moisture into the meat.
  3. Securing the Roast: After seasoning, carefully reroll the lamb and secure it with kitchen twine. This helps maintain its shape and ensures even cooking. As it roasts, the lamb will develop a succulent interior and a crisped, herbaceous crust, turning into a delectable centerpiece for your meal.

If you’re fortunate enough to have leftovers, make lamb sandwiches (extra mustard for me!) or breakfast hash (like this Corned Beef Hash).

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FAQ

What can you season lamb with?

Lamb pairs well with many seasonings, but these are among the best: garlic, mint, mustard, onion, parsley, black pepper, rosemary, and thyme.

What is Herbes de Provence?

Herbes de Provence are a dried herb blend often used in French cuisine. The herb blend varies by brand, but often includes rosemary, thyme, marjoram, savory, oregano, and sometimes lavender (though it wasn’t in the original French version). Some blends also include fennel seed, bay leaf, and/or tarragon.

Which is better bone-in or boneless leg of lamb?

Though both are delicious, boneless leg of lamb has some distinct benefits. It cooks faster and is easier to carve. It fits easily into roasting pans and, for the weight you get more meat (though you’ll likely pay more per pound than a bone-in leg of lamb).

Can I use fresh rosemary instead of dried?

Yes, absolutely. In fact fresh rosemary has more flavor and the leaves are less woody than their dried counterparts. For this recipe, there is some rosemary in the dried herb blend, but you can embellish the herb rub with minced fresh rosemary leaves for more robust flavor.

How do you cook lamb so it’s tender?

The key to tender lamb is to not overcook it. Use an instant read thermometer to be sure that you pull it from the oven at the proper time, 10˚F before it reaches your desired temperature as the cooked meat’s internal temperature will rise after you remove it from the oven). Target temperatures:Medium-Rare 145˚F,Medium 160˚F, Well-Done 170˚F.

What to Serve Alongside

  • Gratin Dauphinois (Creamy classic French potato gratin.)
  • Lyonnaise Potatoes (Another delicious French potato side dish with caramelized onions that’s made on your stovetop.)
  • Fondant Potatoes (These meltingly tender potatoes start on the stovetop and can finish in the oven while your lamb roast rests.)
  • Mashed Red Potatoes (Ultra creamy with a method that might surprise you.)
  • Brioche Dinner Rolls (Tender, buttery and so easy to make with this no-knead recipe.)
  • Sugar Snap Pea Salad (The perfect pair to roast lamb if you’re making it in the springtime.)
  • Strawberry Spinach Salad (With pecans, goat cheese, and a tangy, honey sweetened balsamic vinaigrette.)
  • Strawberry Spinach Walnut Salad (A riff on the salad above with walnuts and a Strawberry Vinaigrette.)
  • Caesar Salad (Because you can never go wrong with this classic salad.)

How to Make Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb

Step 1: Whisk together Dijon herb paste ingredients.

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Step 2: Untie and unroll boneless leg of lamb. Trim away excess fat from both sides of the leg. Rub underside with 1/3 of herb paste. Re-roll roast and secure at ends and center with kitchen twine. Rub top with remaining herb paste and place on oven safe baking rack set inside foil lined rimmed baking sheet.

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Step 3: Roast in a preheated 425˚F oven for 15 minutes. Reduced heat to 350˚F and roast 1 to 1 1/2 hours more, until an instant read or meat thermometer inserted into the center reads 135˚F for medium rare. Remove roast and let stand 15-30 minutes before slicing. Slice and serve.

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Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb

By: Marissa Stevens

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Total: 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Calories: 255

Servings: 10 people

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Juicy flavorful leg of lamb made with just 15 minutes of hands-on time!

Video

Ingredients

  • 5 1/2 pound boneless leg of lamb

For the Dijon Herb Paste

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 4 medium garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons dried Herbes de Provence (recipe note #1)
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (recipe note #2)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Place an oven safe rack inside a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil (for easy cleanup).

  • If lamb roast is tied, untie and unroll. Trim away thick areas of fat and tendon from the top and bottom of the roast, leaving a thin layer of fat on top.

  • Whisk together all Dijon Herb Paste ingredients in a medium bowl until they emulsify into a uniform paste.

  • Spread 1/3 of herb paste all over underside of roast. Roll roast back up into its original shape and snugly tie in the center and at both ends with three lengths of kitchen twine. Rub outside all over with remaining herb paste. Transfer roast, seam side down, to rack on prepared baking sheet and let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats.

  • Preheat oven to 425 °F (218 °C).

  • Roast lamb in hot oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 °F (177 °C) and cook until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center registers 135˚F (for medium rare – the temperature will rise as the roast rests before slicing), 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Transfer roast to cutting board; let stand 15-30 minutes before slicing.

  • Snip twine with kitchen shears; remove and discard. Slice roast thinly (about 1/4-inch) and arrange on platter. Serve.

Notes

  1. If you love the combination of rosemary and lamb, use 1 tablespoon of Herbes de Provence and 1 tablespoon of minced fresh rosemary. And / or to add brightness to herb paste, stir in 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest or more.
  2. Quantity based on Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt – note that other brands such as Morton are almost twice as salty, so adjust the amount accordingly or to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 830mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 33IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to cook boneless lamb? ›

To calculate cooking times, for medium, cook 25 minutes per 500g, plus 25 minutes and for well done cook 30 minutes per 500g and an extra 30 minutes. Allow to rest before serving.

What is the best temperature to cook leg of lamb? ›

Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Remove all packaging from the lamb and keep a note of the weight to calculate the roasting time. Make incisions into the lamb using a small sharp knife, at an angle, about 5cm into the meat.

What is the best oven temperature for lamb? ›

Generally, a leaner cut like a rack of lamb will take 15-18 minutes to cook through in a hot oven (450°F), while a thicker cut like lamb shank will braise for six hours in the slow-cooker. No matter the preparation, this succulent meat is guaranteed to be the star of the show.

What temperature is boneless lamb? ›

Medium-Rare: About 20 minutes per pound or until internal temperature registers 130°F to 135°F. Medium: About 25 minutes per pound or until internal temperature registers 135°F to 140°F. Well-Done: About 30 minutes per pound or until internal temperature registers 155°F to 165°F. Fall-Apart Tender Lamb.

Do you have to bring boneless leg of lamb to room temperature before oven roasting? ›

Immediately putting this large cut of meat in the oven after removing it from the fridge can lead to uneven cooking and an even longer cooking time. To ensure a leg of lamb cooks evenly, remove it from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for an hour before cooking.

What temperature is lamb best cooked? ›

Information. Cook all raw lamb steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145° F (62.8° C) as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.

Does lamb leg get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Lamb shoulder or leg could take up to two hours to reach the tender zone. The muscle fibers seize up, then relax into a state of tenderness after more cooking.

How do you calculate the cooking time for a leg of lamb? ›

A Delicious magazine article on the subject suggested an initial blast at 230C for 15 minutes for larger joints, then 13 minutes per 500g for rare, 18 minutes per 500g for medium and 20-22 minutes per 500g for well done at 180C. For smaller joints they suggest roasting at the higher heat the whole time.

How do you know when roast leg of lamb is cooked? ›

Here are the temperatures of the meat when probed with a cooking thermometer that you need to know to cook lamb to your liking:
  1. Rare: An internal temperature of 50-60°C. ...
  2. Medium-rare: An internal temperature of 60–65°C. ...
  3. Medium (Pink): An internal temperature of 65–70°C. ...
  4. Medium-well: An internal temperature of 70-75°C.

What cooking method is best for lamb? ›

It can be traditionally roasted but is best slow-roasted, pot-roasted or braised with liquid until practically falling apart. Shoulder can also be diced for stewing, or cut into shoulder chops. A pre-sliced roast is convenient, but it tends to dry out in the oven.

Can you eat lamb pink? ›

A rare, or pink, lamb chop that has been seared well on the outside should be fine because any bacteria on the outer surface will have been killed by the heat. But minced or diced lamb or mutton should never be served pink. It needs to be thoroughly cooked and browned. The same goes for burgers.

What temperature is slow cooked lamb done at? ›

Remove the lamb from the smoker when internal temperature reaches 90° – 95°C. For pulled lamb you would want to aim for an internal temperature of between 90° – 95°C. Take the lamb shoulder off the grill at 80°C if you intend to serve the lamb sliced.

Should you sear a boneless leg of lamb before roasting? ›

For the perfect roast lamb, we recommend seasoning the surface of the meat, and then searing it, especially fat side down in a pan before roasting. Why bother with searing? Contrary to some stories, searing is less about locking in moisture, and all about improving the flavour!

What temperature should roast leg of lamb be? ›

Use a meat thermometer to test whether your meat is cooked or not; it's not essential but will help determine to what stage the lamb is cooked, from rare (48–54˚C) to medium-rare (55–59 °C) to medium (60–66˚C) to well done (67–74˚C) and give a more consistent result. Roast lamb should be served pink in the middle.

Does boneless lamb cook faster? ›

If you're using a boneless lamb leg, you may need to adjust the cooking times slightly, as boneless cuts can cook faster than bone-in ones. Shoulder roast: Cooking a lamb shoulder roast is a bit different from a lamb leg due to the shoulder's higher connective tissue content.

How long should lamb be cooked for? ›

Lamb should be roasted 20 mins per 450g/lb, plus an extra 20 mins. Weigh meat prior to roasting to determine cooking times. Cook at 220C/200C fan for the first 20 mins and then 190C/170C fan for the remaining time. Rest lamb before carving.

How many minutes per pound for lamb? ›

The lamb will need to cook for about 20 minutes per pound (2 hours for a 6-pound leg of lamb; 2 hours and 40 minutes for 8 pounds). An instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat, not touching the bone, should read 145 degrees when the lamb is medium-rare.

Does lamb get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Slow cooking in liquid transforms tougher cuts of lamb into fork-tender meat. Neck, shoulder and belly, either diced or as whole joints, are the best cuts for slow cooking and need to be cooked for at least 2 hrs at 150°C to soften the meat.

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