Boneless Leg of Lamb Recipe – Your holiday meal isn’t complete without a juicy, flavorful slow-roasted lamb recipe. Infused with a medley of fresh herbs, zesty garlic, and lemon juice, our succulent lamb roast pairs with buttery, fork-tender potatoes and sweet carrots for a perfect meal for special occasions, holidays, or “just because.”
Elevate your holiday meal with an aromatic roasted boneless leg of lamb recipe; it’s the perfect way to celebrate Easter, Eid, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Our tried-and-true recipe yields perfectly cooked, extra-tender lamb that’s juicy on the inside with a flavorful outer crust.
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Lamb: A three to four-pound boneless leg of lamb roast from Costco feeds my family of six with leftovers.
- Salt: Salting the roast before slow cooking locks in all the moisture, resulting in a perfectly tender and juicy lamb.
- Lamb Rub: Coat the roast in a paste brimming with fresh thyme, rosemary, oregano, Dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. I recommend using a whopping ten garlic cloves; listen, we measure with the heart over here.
- Vegetables: Petite potatoes, onions, and carrots accompany the lamb for a perfect one-pot meal.
PREPARING THE LAMB TO ROAST
- Remove the lamb roast from its packaging; unfold it and trim any excess fat.
- Generously rub the roast with salt. I recommend one teaspoon of salt per pound of lamb.
- Prepare the herb garlic paste for the roast and rub it all over and inside the lamb.
- Achieving the perfect cook on your lamb requires rolling and securing the meat with cooking twine to ensure even cooking. While we don’t currently have a video demonstration of the technique, I highly recommend checking out Chef Kamal’s method for tying a lamb leg.
HOW TO MAKE OUR SLOW-ROASTED BONELESS LEG OF LAMB RECIPE
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Create slits in the lamb in a crisscross pattern.
Generously cover the lamb leg with salt and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
Add thyme leaves, rosemary, oregano leaves, garlic, dijon mustard, and lemon juice to a food processor. Pulse to create a paste, then stir in the olive oil.
Rub the paste all over and inside the lamb.
Then, roll the lamb and secure it with cooking twine.
Add the roast to a Dutch oven and nestle the potatoes, onions, and carrots all around it. Then add the water.
Broil uncovered on high for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375°F (190°C).
Cover with the lid slightly ajar and roast for 2 hours. At the 1-hour mark, use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the roast. Continue cooking until the lamb reaches just short of the desired doneness since it will “cook” as it rests. I prefer a medium roast which is about 135°F (57°C).
Remove the lamb and allow it to rest for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, add the potatoes, onions, and carrots to a serving dish.
Slice the roast into ¼-inch cuts and top the vegetables to serve.
WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD BONELESS LEG OF LAMB BE COOKED TO?
The lamb will continue to “cook” as it rests, and the internal temperature will rise about 5-10 degrees.
| Temperature | How long does it take to cook a Boneless Leg of Lamb? | |
| Medium-Rare | 130-135°F (54-57°C) | 20 Minutes Per Pound |
| Medium | 135-140°F (57-60°C) | 25 Minutes Per Pound |
| Medium-Well | 140-145°F (60-62°C) | |
| Well Done | 150-155°F (65-68°C) | 30 Minutes Per Pound |
* The cooking times are an approximation, but the best way to know how long to cook the boneless leg of lamb recipe is to check the internal temperature of the lamb beginning at the 1-hour mark.
HOW TO CARVE THE ROAST
- Rest the Roast: Remove the roast from the oven and allow it to rest uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Remove the Twine: Use kitchen shears to remove the cooking twine.
- Slice the Lamb: Thinly slice the lamb into ¼-inch cuts using a sharpened knife.
EXPERT TIPS
- Cut the vegetables the same size to ensure they cook at the same rate.
- For best results, bring the lamb to room temperature. Let it sit for about an hour before cooking to help the meat cook more evenly.
- Dry brine the roast with salt to retain the moisture in the meat, resulting in juicier and more flavorful lamb.
- Secure the lamb with cooking twine for even roasting.
- Ovens vary from home to home; use a food thermometer to get a more accurate reading. No one wants undercooked or overcooked lamb. For best results, check the internal temperature of the lamb leg at the one-hour mark and go from there.
- Resting the meat is essential for the lamb to reabsorb any juices.
- Use a sharpened knife to slice the roast to get perfect cuts.
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IS IT BETTER TO COOK LEG OF LAMB WITH BONE OR BONELESS?
The answer to that question depends on a few things lamb is delicious no matter how you prepare them. Our boneless leg of lamb recipe cooks faster, is readily available in the grocery store throughout the year, and is easy to cut when you’re ready to serve.
There is less fat on roast without the bone, meaning they will taste less gamey. Preparing boneless lamb legs also allows you to season the meat inside and out for even more flavor, and without the bone, you can roll up the lamb leg resulting in a more even shape; this allows the entire roast to cook at the same rate.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Green Beans, Mashed Cauliflower, Asparagus, Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower
- Rice, Saffron Rice
- Toum, Mint Chutney, Skhug, Horseradish Cream Sauce
- Dinner Rolls, Rustic Homemade Bread, Keto Yorkshire Puddings
- Deviled Eggs without Vinegar
- Roasted Potatoes, Au Gratin Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes
- Spinach Salad, Sumac Onions
WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVERS
- Refrigerate – Store the leftovers in an air tight container; they will keep for 4-5 days.
- Freeze – Let the dish cool, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Our boneless leg of lamb recipe freezes for 3 months.
- Thaw – When you’re ready to eat, defrost it in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat – Wrap the leftovers in foil and warm them in the oven; reheat individual servings in the microwave.
- Repurpose – Use the leftovers to make a stew, top a salad, fill a sandwich, or make a breakfast hash.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use boneless lamb shoulder?
I prefer to roast lamb leg, whereas lamb shoulder is perfect for braising and stewing.
Where do you buy boneless leg of lamb?
I buy mine when it’s on sale at Costco for this boneless leg of lamb recipe, but you can find it in mainstream grocery stores and international markets.
Should I marinate the lamb?
While it’s true that lamb is naturally tender as it slowly cooks, proper seasoning is essential for achieving a roast that’s bursting with flavor; the right combination of herbs and aromatics can take your lamb to the next level.
Can I make the lamb roast ahead of time?
Save time by covering the roast with the herb and garlic paste and refrigerating for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, allow the roast to come to room temperature before following our cooking instructions for a boneless lamb roast.
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Boneless Leg of Lamb Recipe
- Cooking Twine
- Dutch Oven , 6- quart
- 5 pounds leg of lamb, boneless
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for salting the roast
- 4 stems fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 stems fresh rosemary, or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 4 stems fresh oregano, or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 small potatoes, quartered
- 3 large yellow onions, quartered
- 3 large carrots, cut into thirds
- ¼ cup beef broth
- Create slits in the lamb in a crisscross pattern. Generously cover the lamb leg with salt and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
- Add thyme leaves, rosemary, oregano leaves, garlic, dijon mustard, and lemon juice to a food processor. Pulse to create a paste, then stir in the olive oil.
- Rub the paste all over and inside the lamb. Then, roll the lamb and secure it with cooking twine.
- Add the roast to a Dutch oven and nestle the potatoes, onions, and carrots all around it. Then add the water.
- Broil uncovered on high for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375° F (190° C). Cover with the lid slightly ajar and roast for 2 hours. At the 1-hour mark, use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the roast. Continue cooking until the lamb reaches just short of the desired doneness since it will "cook" as it rests. I prefer a medium roast which is about 135° F (57° C).
- Remove the lamb and allow it to rest for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, add the potatoes, onions, and carrots to a serving dish.
- Slice the roast into ¼-inch cuts and top the vegetables to serve.
- Remove the lamb roast from its packaging; unfold it and trim any excess fat.
- Generously rub the roast with salt. I recommend one teaspoon of salt per pound of lamb.
- Prepare the herb garlic paste for the roast and rub it all over and inside the lamb.
- Achieving the perfect cook on your lamb requires rolling and securing the meat with cooking twine to ensure even cooking. While we don’t currently have a video demonstration of the technique, I highly recommend checking out Chef Kamal’s method for tying a lamb leg.
- Cut the vegetables the same size to ensure they cook at the same rate.
- For best results, bring the lamb to room temperature. Let it sit for about an hour before cooking to help the meat cook more evenly.
- Dry brine the roast with salt to retain the moisture in the meat, resulting in juicier and more flavorful lamb.
- Secure the lamb with cooking twine for even roasting.
- Ovens vary from home to home; use a food thermometer to get a more accurate reading. No one wants undercooked or overcooked lamb. For best results, check the internal temperature of the lamb leg at the one-hour mark and go from there.
- Resting the meat is essential for the lamb to reabsorb any juices.
- Use a sharpened knife to slice the roast to get perfect cuts.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
David Patel
Friday 26th of May 2023
Wow, this boneless leg of lamb recipe took our special occasion dinner to the next level! The combination of herbs, garlic, and lemon juice infused the lamb with amazing flavors. The meat was so juicy and tender, and the buttery potatoes and sweet carrots added the perfect touch. Truly a memorable meal worth savoring!
Oliver Rodriguez
Friday 26th of May 2023
Your holiday meal isn’t complete without a juicy, flavorful slow-roasted lamb recipe. Infused with a medley of fresh herbs, zesty garlic, and lemon juice, our succulent lamb roast pairs with buttery, fork-tender potatoes and sweet carrots for a perfect meal for special occasions, holidays, or “just because.”