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How To Roast the Perfect Leg of Lamb
Last Sunday the husband brought home a Leg of Lamb. Even I needed to stop and think for a minute! Roasting is one of those cooking techniques that feels intimidating (you’re shelling out a good chunk of change after all!) So we’re here to break it down into easy, simple steps. From proper seasoning to temperature control, it’s easier to impress than you think.
Once you roast a few times, you’ll learn to transfer the same skills to all sort of animals, even cauliflower! Roasting is a rewarding way to cook, especially when you’re working with something as naturally impressive as a bone-in leg of lamb.
A properly roasted leg of lamb doesn’t need complicated steps or fancy tricks. It needs good seasoning, thoughtful timing (read: rest it!) and a little confidence.
This guide walks you through how to roast a 3.25 lb bone-in leg of lamb, perfect for 6 people, so it’s juicy, tender, and evenly cooked — the kind of roast that you keep picking at long after you’re full!
Adding par-cooked potatoes, some store-bought demi-glace (from the butcher shop) and some roasted vegetables (roasting while the lamb rested) made for some quick meal prep that looked like hours were spent in the kitchen. We’ve added those instructions as well.
Why Leg of Lamb Is Perfect for Roasting
Leg of lamb is built for roasting. The cut is naturally tender, the bone adds flavour and insulation, and the fat content is just right to keep the meat moist without constant attention.
Bone-in matters here. The bone:
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Helps the lamb cook more evenly (who knew?)
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Adds depth to the pan drippings
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Protects the meat from drying out
For a roast around 3.25 lbs, you’re working with an ideal size which is large enough to feel special, small enough to stay manageable.
The Golden Rules of Roasting (Before We Start)
If there’s one thing years of teaching recipes has proven, it’s this: great roasting is about restraint, not fuss.
Here’s what actually matters:
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Bring meat to room temperature before roasting
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Season generously (this is not the time to be shy). We even like to season the day before, if you’ve got the forethought.
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Use a thermometer, not guesswork
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Rest the meat before carving
Ignore these and even a beautiful cut can disappoint. Follow them, and roasting becomes very forgiving.
For those ‘on the fence’ about leg of lamb: Try to buy LOCAL! Ontario lamb, Alberta lamb, Quebec lamb…all a whole lot more ‘mild’ than the frozen leg from Australia or New Zealand. We used a Leg of Lamb from Listowel, ON from Fore Quarter Butcher Shop. Definitely sweet & delicious, not ‘lamby’ or ‘gamey’.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 90 Minutes + Rest
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 4-6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 3.25-3.5 lb. bone-in leg of lamb
- 2 tablespoons of kosher salt (less if using sea salt)
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
- 1-2 cloves garlic (totally optional)
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Olive Oil, as needed
- 2 lbs. potatoes, quartered
- Vegetables for roasting (such as 1/2 head of cauliflower + mushrooms + leeks + carrots + squash). A variety is nice.
- Olive oil & kosher salt, as needed
Instructions
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Remove the lamb from the fridge 45–60 minutes before roasting. Cold meat straight into a hot oven cooks unevenly — the outside races ahead while the centre lags behind. Pat the lamb dry thoroughly. Moisture is the enemy of browning.
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Make Rosemary Salt: Finely chop your rosemary with the 2 tbsp. of kosher salt. Now season the roast generously with the rosemary salt and rub generously with olive oil. Season with pepper, and sprinkle with garlic, if using (I didn’t). This seasoning is doing more than adding flavour–it’s helping form a crust.
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For this size and cut, a two-stage roasting method gives the best results. Start hot: 425°F (220°C). Finish moderate: 320°F (160°C). Easy to remember. 425, then 325.
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We like to roast in either a wide frying pan or a braising dish. The lower the sides, the more golden teh potatoes are and the quicker everything cooks and gets nice and brown. Place the lamb in your pan, bone side down. Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes to develop colour.
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Then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and continue roasting.
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Cooking times vary based on shape, oven accuracy, and starting temperature. This is where a thermometer becomes essential.
For a 3.25 lb bone-in leg of lamb, approximate total roasting time will be 75–90 minutes, but always trust the internal temperature:
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Rare: 120–125°F
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Medium-rare: 130–135°F (recommended)
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Medium: 140–145°F
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone.
Remove the lamb from the oven 5–10 degrees before your target temperature — it will continue cooking as it rests. We don’t cover it while it’s resting (will lose the nice crust).
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- So while the roast is in there, start your quartered potatoes in a pot with water and plenty of salt. Bring up to the boil, then reduce to low and cook about 50% through. Drain well, then add to your lamb pan (will likely be in with the lamb for 30-40 minutes). Make sure there is enough fat in there, if not, drizzle the potatoes with a little olive oil. And with your oven mitt on, give that pan a shake or two to distribute fat & juices under the potatoes.
- Also while it rests, prep a pan of vegetables for roasting. Don’t cut them too large.
- While the lamb is resting, increase the heat of the oven back up to 425F and roast the vegetables for 15 minutes or so.
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Now that the lamb has rested, it’s time to carve! Place the lamb on a sturdy board. Find the bone and slice alongside it to remove large sections of meat. Then slice across the grain into thick or thin slices, depending on how you’re serving it.
A properly roasted leg of lamb should be blushing inside, deeply savoury, and juicy without being bloody.
- I served the meat, veg & potatoes altogether on the same sheet pan I roasted the vegetables so it all stayed nice and hot (lamb is best served HOT!). In the same pan that I roasted the lamb, I warmed up that demi-glace and drizzled it all over everything.
Notes
This recipe is a classic for a reason, but it’s also incredibly flexible. Once you understand the method, the flavour choices are wide open.
Bone-In vs Boneless Leg of Lamb
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Bone-in (preferred): More flavour, juicier results, and a built-in heat buffer so it’s harder to overcook.
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Boneless: Cooks faster and is easier to carve. Reduce total cook time and check temperature earlier.
Chef tip: Boneless legs benefit from being tied so they roast evenly. Think of it as lamb shapewear.
Herb & Flavour Profiles
Swap the herbs to match your menu or mood:
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Mediterranean: Rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, garlic
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Dijon-Herb: Dijon mustard, garlic, rosemary, cracked pepper
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Garlic-Anchovy: Anchovy paste + garlic + olive oil (no fishy flavour, just deep savoury magic)
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Moroccan-Inspired: Cumin, coriander, paprika, garlic, lemon
The rule: bold seasoning on the outside, restraint on the inside. Lamb already has personality.
Make-Ahead & Hosting Tips (So You’re Not Trapped in the Kitchen)
Roasted leg of lamb is secretly one of the best entertaining mains — it rewards planning.
What You Can Do Ahead
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Season the lamb up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate uncovered
(hello, dry-brine magic) -
Chop herbs, prep garlic, and measure seasoning the day before
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Make your sauce base early and reheat while the lamb rests
Timing for a Stress-Free Dinner
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Lamb comes out of the oven
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Lamb rests 15–20 minutes
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You pour wine, answer compliments, and casually pretend this was effortless
Because it was!
