Mid-Roast Lamb with Spiced Middle Eastern Herb Rub

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A medium-rare roasted lamb leg infused with a fragrant blend of Middle Eastern spices and fresh herbs, delivering tender, juicy slices with a flavorful crust. This middle eastern-inspired middle eastern ready in about 120 minutes pairs pounds bone-in leg of lamb, teaspoons ground cumin, teaspoons ground coriander for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 40 min Cook: 80 min Serves 6 Middle Eastern cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons ground coriander, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground sumac, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to make a paste.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry the 4-pound bone-in leg of lamb with paper towels. Rub the spice-herb paste all over the lamb, ensuring even coverage, and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Place the lamb on a rack in a roasting pan and roast in the preheated 375°F oven for about 1 hour and 20 minutes for medium-rare (internal temp 135°F). Baste the lamb every 20 minutes with pan juices to keep it moist.
  4. Step 4: Remove the lamb from the oven and tent with foil. Let it rest for 15 minutes before carving thin slices to serve juicy and tender.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mid-Roast Lamb with Spiced Middle Eastern Herb Rub take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (40 min prep + 80 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mid-Roast Lamb with Spiced Middle Eastern Herb Rub?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds bone-in leg of lamb from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mid-Roast Lamb with Spiced Middle Eastern Herb Rub?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mid-Roast Lamb with Spiced Middle Eastern Herb Rub for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Mid-Roast Lamb with Spiced Middle Eastern Herb Rub?

Middle Eastern middle eastern like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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