Slow-Roasted Herb-Crusted Leg of Lamb

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender leg of lamb slow-roasted with a fragrant herb crust, delivering rich, savory flavors and a beautifully caramelized exterior. This Mediterranean-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs leg of lamb, bone-in, fresh rosemary, chopped, fresh thyme, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 5 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp coarse salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp lemon zest to form a fragrant herb paste.
  2. Step 2: Pat the 4 lb bone-in leg of lamb dry with paper towels and rub the herb paste all over the surface, pressing it into the meat.
  3. Step 3: Place the lamb on a roasting rack in a roasting pan and roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, or until an internal temperature of 135°F for medium-rare is reached. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Herb-Crusted Leg of Lamb take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Slow-Roasted Herb-Crusted Leg of Lamb?

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 leg of lamb, bone-in from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Herb-Crusted Leg of Lamb?

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 Slow-Roasted Herb-Crusted Leg of Lamb 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 Slow-Roasted Herb-Crusted Leg of Lamb?

Mediterranean lamb 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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