Roasted Bone-In Lamb Leg Recipe

A roasted leg of lamb is perfect for any occasion — from a weeknight dinner for a small family to a stunning holiday centerpiece. This garlic-studded, herb-rubbed roast with pan drippings is just one of many ways to enjoy this cut.

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Servings

4servings

3 lb bone-in leg

Available leg sizes: 3, 6, or 8 lb bone-in

Ingredients

    Instructions

    1. Bring lamb to temperature
      Take the lamb out of the fridge 1–2 hours before roasting so it cooks more evenly. Pat it dry with paper towels.
    2. Stud with garlic
      Cut 15–20 small slits all over the lamb and tuck a slice of garlic into each one.
    3. Rub the lamb
      Mix the Savenor's Garlic and Rosemary Rub, oil, salt, and pepper into a paste and rub it all over the lamb.
    4. Set up the roasting pan
      Preheat the oven to 325°F. Scatter the onion in the bottom of a roasting pan, then set a roasting rack over the onions and place the lamb on the rack fat-side up. Pour in the wine or stock. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part, avoiding the bone.
    5. Roast
      Roast on the lower rack until the thermometer reads about 5°F below your target (125°F rare, 130°F medium-rare, 140°F medium). At this weight, that's roughly 2–3¼ hours depending on doneness. Tent loosely with foil if it browns too fast.
    6. Rest
      Tent loosely with foil and let the lamb rest 20–30 minutes so the juices redistribute before carving.
    7. Carve and serve
      Slice thinly against the grain, working around the bone. Serve warm with the pan drippings, roasted potatoes, or mint sauce.

    Roasting Guide by Size

    Size Servings Rare125–130°F Medium-Rare130–135°F Medium140–145°F
    3 lb 4 45–55 min 55 min–1¼ hr 1¼–1½ hr
    6 lb 8 1½–1¾ hr 1¾–2¼ hr 2¼–2½ hr
    8 lb 10 2–2½ hr 2½–3 hr 3–3¼ hr

    Doneness temps: 125–130°F rare · 130–135°F medium-rare · 140–145°F medium · 150°F+ medium-well. Pull the lamb early — it keeps cooking while it rests.

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