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Herb Roasted Leg of Lamb with High-to-Low Heat Roasting

A slice of medium-rare herb roasted leg of lamb with a dark, herby crust on a white plate.
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Prepare a celebratory centerpiece for your holiday meal using this fail-proof method for roasting a leg of lamb, achieving a flavorful herb crust and tender interior.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (5-7 pound) bone-in leg of lamb
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons coarse salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

  1. Remove the leg of lamb from the refrigerator 2 hours before cooking. Pat the surface completely dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
  3. Using a small, sharp knife, make small incisions all over the lamb. Insert the thin slices of garlic and small sprigs of rosemary and thyme into these cuts.
  4. Rub the entire surface of the lamb generously with the seasoned olive oil mixture.
  5. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the lamb, fat side up, in a roasting pan.
  6. Roast the lamb at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes to develop the herb crust. This is the high-heat stage.
  7. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit without opening the door. Continue roasting until the internal temperature reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare (about 15-20 minutes per pound total cooking time after the initial high-heat blast).
  8. Remove the lamb from the oven when it reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving. The temperature will rise to about 135-140 degrees Fahrenheit during resting.

Notes

  • For best results when planning your easter dinner ideas, use a reliable meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
  • If you prefer a more well-done roast, aim for an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit before resting.
  • This method works well for a spring lamb roast centerpiece.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://onedishuniverse.com/herb-roasted-leg-of-lamb/