Herbed and Butterflied Leg of Lamb

Updated May 23, 2024

Herbed and Butterflied Leg of Lamb
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
1 hour
Rating
4(188)
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Ingredients

Yield:6 servings
  • 1teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1teaspoon whole coriander seed
  • cup olive oil (not extra-virgin)
  • 1teaspoon salt
  • 2 to 3unpeeled cloves garlic, slightly crushed
  • 1lemon
  • 29-inch sprigs fresh rosemary (or the equivalent in shorter lengths)
  • 14-pound leg of lamb, boned and butterflied (opened with meat scored slightly to flatten it)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

609 calories; 46 grams fat; 16 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 23 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 3 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 44 grams protein; 524 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    With a mortar and pestle, lightly crush peppercorns and coriander seeds. Transfer to a small bowl, and add olive oil, salt and garlic. Finely grate lemon peel, and add to mixture. Cut lemon into quarters, and squeeze juice into mixture, then add leftover lemon as well.

  2. Step 2

    Place lamb skin side down in a shallow dish, and press whole rosemary sprigs into scored meat. Pour marinade over meat, pressing lemon pieces into meat. Cover dish with plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight.

  3. Step 3

    When ready to cook, remove lamb from refrigerator, and allow to sit at room temperature while oven heats to 425 degrees. Place lamb skin side up in a roasting pan, keeping lemon pieces and rosemary pressed into underside.

  4. Step 4

    Roast 35 to 40 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of lamb registers 145 degrees (for medium-well lamb), or adjust cooking time as desired. When cooked to taste, remove lamb from oven, and allow to rest in pan for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

Ratings

4 out of 5
188 user ratings
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Comments

Fantastic. I took it out at 125 degrees (25-30 minutes) and it was so perfect. Use whatever herbs you have on hand but and the garlic and lemon just create this aromatic, tender piece of meat. Lots of gravy so be sure to have roasted vegetables or rice to pour it over.

30 hour marinade, cooked to perfection. Doubled the garlic. Accompanied with rice pilaf and roasted asparagus w a lemon squeeze.

We prepared this and it turned out well, but it was overdone for us. How long should it be roasted for medium rare?

Absolutely wonderful marinade! I only marinated the lab for 12 hours & that was sufficient. I also removed the Rosemary leaves from the sprigs & mixed them in the lemon juice, olive oil, ground coriander, garlic, etc. Instead of roasting, the we Bbq the marinated butterflied leg of lamb it was tasty & tender. So this is my new go to marinade for lamb as it is also alcohol free, which is important to my family & friends that are recovering alcoholics.

Wow! Will cook again and again. Thank you

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