Food and Recipes Meat Lamb Roasted Lamb With Fresh-Herb Sauce 5.0 (1) 1 Review Make this roasted lamb the star of your holiday menu. By Adam Dolge Adam Dolge Adam Dolge is a recipe developer, test cook and award-winning journalist with nearly 20 years experience writing for newspapers, magazines and websites. He graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America and his work has appeared in many national food magazines and websites, including Southern Living, EatingWell, Real Simple, and Food & Wine. Follow him on Instagram. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on March 19, 2023 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Active Time: 35 mins Total Time: 2 hrs 55 mins Servings: 8 Few main dishes command attention at the spring table like a beautifully roasted leg of lamb. Whether you’re celebrating Easter, Passover, or simply the divine bounty of spring, this tender, garlicky lamb will steal the show. This recipe cleverly utilizes an herb-and-garlic mixture to both marinate the lamb and serve as a finishing sauce to serve at the table. Brightened with just the right amount of lemon, it’s a fresh, herby punch of flavor that balances the rich, meaty flavor of the roasted lamb. This recipe was shared with us by Dr. Jessica Harris, who was inspired by her mother’s roasted lamb with mint jelly. This fresh, modern take on the classic will be a hit at your holiday table. Serve with Romaine Salad With Oranges and Radishes and Ginger Carrots to finish the plate. 24 Easter Dinner Ideas That Go Way Beyond Ham Ingredients 1 (7- to 8-lb.) bone-in leg of lamb, trimmed and tied 1 large shallot, roughly chopped (about 1/2 cup) 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper 1 Tbsp. grated lemon zest 5 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons), divided 8 garlic cloves, divided 1 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 3/4 tsp. black pepper, divided 1 3/4 cups olive oil, divided 1 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish 1 cup chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish Lemon slices, to serve Directions Preheat oven to 450°F with rack 8 inches from heat source. Place a wire rack in a large roasting pan; top with lamb, and pat dry. Let stand at room temperature for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, pulse shallot, mustard, red pepper, lemon zest, 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice, 4 of the garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon each of the salt and black pepper in a food processor until roughly chopped, about 10 pulses. With processor running, gradually add 1 cup of the oil, processing until smooth. Transfer 1/2 cup of the shallot mixture to a small bowl, and set aside. Cover remaining shallot mixture in food processor bowl, and set aside. Cut 1-inch slits all over lamb. Finely chop remaining 4 garlic cloves; stir into reserved 1/2 cup shallot mixture. Rub shallot-garlic mixture over lamb, and sprinkle with remaining 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bake lamb in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F, and bake until a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of lamb registers 130°F, 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Without removing lamb from oven, increase oven temperature to broil, and broil until well browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove lamb from oven, and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise to 145°F.) While lamb rests, add parsley and mint to shallot mixture in food processor; pulse until herbs are finely chopped and incorporated, about 20 pulses. With processor running, gradually add remaining 3/4 cup oil and 2 tablespoons lemon juice, processing until incorporated. With processor running, gradually add 1 to 2 tablespoons water until sauce reaches desired consistency. Thinly slice lamb against the grain, discarding bone or reserving for another use. Serve sliced lamb with herb sauce. Garnish with lemon slices and herbs. Rate it Print