Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2024)

Here's how to cook a boneless leg of lamb that's perfectly roasted and flavorful - every time. This tender juicy lamb roast with garlic and herbs can be enjoyed any time of the year. Cooking a lamb roast is very simple and requires minimal ingredients (only 6). These instructions will work whether you have a semi-boneless or bone-in leg of lamb. Are you ready to make it? 🙂

Watch how to make this Boneless Leg of Lamb Recipe

You will love this Boneless Leg Lamb Recipe

It's Easy

You'll love this easy-to-make boneless leg of lamb recipe! So many people avoid cooking roasts because they think they are hard or challenging. Definitely not! In fact, I think they are often the easiest way to cook meat. Roasts usually only require a few ingredients - usually just olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.

Not Just For The Holidays

Growing up, we always had a ham and lamb on Easter. Most people serve a lamb roast on special occasions, so it definitely reminds me of the holidays.

Because a leg of lamb roast is so delicious, I've started cooking it year-round! I use the leftovers to slice or dice and add it to a Greek salad, or a gyro. Lamb has so much flavor! Yum.

Healthy

Lamb roast is gluten-free, low carb, paleo, and keto-friendly. No sugar or dairy is used in the recipe, and all ingredients are natural.

What you'll need for this Boneless Leg Lamb Recipe

• Lamb Roast - you can use a boneless leg of lamb or semi-boneless
• Olive Oil
• Garlic
• Kosher salt
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper
• Dried herbs or Fresh herbs - I used oregano, chives, thyme, parsley - use your favorite!

Equipment

• Roasting pan
• Instant-read thermometer
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

How to Cook this Leg of Lamb Recipe (Boneless)

Cooking a boneless leg of lamb is really easy, and cooking with the bone-in is just as simple. You can use a boneless or semi-boneless leg of lamb in this recipe as the techniques are the exact same with only a slight adjustment in roasting time.

Prep

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Prep all your ingredients.

Remove roast from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to roasting.

Season the Lamb

Rub olive oil all over the outside of the roast.

Follow with garlic, herbs, and then generously season with salt and pepper.

Place the lamb roast in a roasting pan.

Oven Roast

Use an instant-read thermometer or a thermometer with an alarm that can stay in the roast.

Roast for approximately 20 to 25 minutes per pound, but determine the doneness of the roast based upon the below guidelines.

Finish and Serve

Once done, remove the roast and cover with foil. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Slice the lamb. Serve and enjoy!

How long should I cook a lamb roast?

The cooking time varies with the size of your lamb leg roast.

Boneless Leg of Lamb Roasting Time Per Pound:
As rule of thumb, a lamb roast will take approximately 20 to 25 minutes per pound to cook.

The roast used in this recipe was actually semi-boneless and 4.5 lbs. It took about 1 hour to reach my desired temperature, however, I started checking the temperature after 45 minutes.
See the temperature guide below for proper cooking. Use time as a guideline but remember to use a thermometer to test doneness.

What temperature should a leg of lamb be cooked to?

A lamb roast should be cooked as follows. According to the USDA the proper cooking temperature of a lamb roast is 145°. Personally, I lamb roast tastes the best when it is cooked to medium-rare. Whatever temperature you choose, cook the roast 5 degrees less than you want to end up with.

Remove from oven, and tent with foil. Allow the roast to sit for 15 minutes before carving. The temperature of the roast will increase by approximately 5 degrees, and your roast will be much juicier.

rare 120°
med rare 125°
medium 135°
medium well 145°
well done 155°

How to serve Boneless Leg of Lamb

After the roast has rested, serve it warm on a platter. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs for some color if you like. Slice it, or serve it whole and carve it at the table.

A traditional way to serve lamb is with a side of mint sauce/jelly or a modern sauce such as Mint Chimichurri or even tzatziki sauce is also delicious.

What can I serve with a lamb roast?

One of my favorite things to do is add potatoes and carrots to the bottom of the roasting pan and have them cook right along with the roast.

Leg of lamb pairs really well with Cauliflower Cheese, Air Fryer Green Beans, Crockpot Green Beans and Ham, and Layered Salad. Both the green bean recipe and layered salad will serve a crowd.

Mashed cauliflower or mashed potatoes are always the perfect side dish.

I love to serve this lamb roast with a Greek Salad. I will often chop leftover lamb and eat it with the Greek Salad.

Boneless Leg of Lamb Recipe tips

Boneless Leg of Lamb Recipe storage

Let the lamb cool completely, then slice the meat, or cube it, depending on what you want to do with the leftovers. Place the leftover lamb meat in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or 4 months in the freezer.

FAQ's

More Lamb Recipes

Roasting lamb in the oven isn't your only option - I also have a slow cooker leg of lamb recipe and a pressure cooker version! 🙂

• Air Fryer Lamb Chops - quick and easy plus really tender!
• Leftover Lamb Shepherd's Pie - the PERFECT recipe to use up the extras. This recipe is unique and is made with Stout beer and tater tots - the family LOVES it!
• Hearty Leftover Lamb Stew Recipe
• Lamb Stew Recipe - a classic braised lamb stew.
• Lamb Stew (Instant Pot) - classic lamb stew made easy in your Instant Pot
• Lamb Mince Shepherd's Pie - a classic shepherd's pie recipe with garlic mashed potatoes.
• The Best Greek Burger (Gyro Burger) - uses ground lamb (lamb mince).

The Best leg of lamb! This super easy lamb roast requires only minimal prep and 6 ingredients. Lamb is perfect for a special occasion, holiday roast (like Easter dinner), or your next Sunday dinner. Lamb is low carb, paleo, ketogenic, sugar-free, and gluten-free. #lamb #Easter #spring #lambroast #roastedlamb #easyroastrecipe #lowcarb #glutenfree #paleo #keto #ketogenic #roastrecipe #holidayroast