Today I’m going to share something that I’ve learned how to do pretty well over the years. I will teach you how to cook lamb in the oven, the easy way, so that you can prepare the best roasted lamb for your family ever.
The secret to cooking lamb in the oven, so that the meat basically falls off the bones, is using low temperature and being patient because it takes a lot of time. (Warning: Don’t start cooking lamb for dinner if you’re hungry at the moment…)
You can use this slow roast lamb recipe for most lamb meat cuts, but it will work especially well with lamb shanks or shoulders.
Tips For The Best Lamb
- do not rush it, slow and steady wins the race
- make sure the lamb is sealed thightly in the baking dish while cooking, so that the moisture is kept inside and the meat doesn’t dry out (steel casserole is perfect for this)
- make sure there’s enough water in the dish. The lamb shouldn’t be covered completely in water, rather to 1/3-1/2
How To Cook Lamb In The Oven
Start by preparing a simple marinade made out of salt, oil and paprika in a bowl.
Mix these three together.
Rub each piece of lamb generously with this marinade.
Wash and thinly chop the scallions and mint.
Spread them on the bottom of the casserole or the baking dish.
Place the lamb on top of the scallions and mint. Add water.
Cover the casserole or the baking dish with a lid or with double foil.
Place it in the bottom rack of the oven and bake at 200C/400F for about 15 minutes.
Reduce the heat to 150C/300F and cook the lamb covered for 2 and a half hours.
In the last 20 minutes, uncover, pour some of the liquid over the lamb, increase temperature to 200C/400F again and roast until the skin is nicely browned.
Serve immediately with bread or rice and fresh vegetables.
This lamb recipe is pretty simple and therefore very versatile. Here are some things you can change:
- You can definitely use other herbs for the lamb as well. Rosemary, thyme and even oregano can be great too.
- Add some heat if you desire, by adding some chili flakes or jalapenos to the rub mixture
- Add some garlic to the mixture of mint and green onions…you can even use fresh green garlic instead of the onions. Or do a mix.
How to Cook Lamb Chops in the Oven | Chef Tariq
FAQ
What temperature should lamb be cooked at in the oven?
What cooking method is best for lamb?
How long do you cook Lamb in the oven?
The cooking time for lamb in the oven depends on the desired level of doneness and the cut of the meat. Here’s a quick guide to cooking lamb in the oven: Roast at 325°F (163°C) for 15-20 minutes per pound for medium-rare, or 20-25 minutes per pound for medium.
What temperature should a lamb roast be cooked at?
The USDA recommends cooking roasts to 145 degrees F. Avoid cooking your lamb beyond this temperature as the meat can become dried out and tough. Once your roast is within 10 degrees F (5 degrees C) of its ideal cooked temperature, remove from the oven, place a foil tent loosely over it, and let rest for 15-20 minutes.
How do you cook a rack of lamb in the oven?
Frenched Rack of Lamb is roasted in the oven for a special meal. Remove the lamb from the fridge 90 minutes before cooking and set out at room temperature. This is an important step for ensuring even cooking and maximum juiciness. See blog post for more discussion. Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a half sheet pan with foil.
How long should Lamb be cooked at a high temperature?
Leaner cuts of meat should be cooked at a high temperature for the first several minutes and then at a lower temperature the rest of the time. Regardless of what type of cut you are cooking it is recommended to keep the oven rack in the middle and to use a roasting rack for your lamb. This will ensure the meat cooks evenly throughout.