Jul 10, 2019

Anchovy-Garlic Butter Rubbed Whole Roasted Lamb Leg with Potatoes

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
This whole leg of lamb is roasted in a pan filled with potatoes at the bottom to catch the fat drippings as the lamb cooks. The result is not only an impressive entrée but a flavorful side dish as well.
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This post was created in partnership with American Lamb Board.

This whole leg of lamb is roasted in a pan filled with potatoes at the bottom to catch the fat drippings as the lamb cooks. The result is not only an impressive entrée but a flavorful side dish as well.

This whole roasted lamb leg is perfect to feed a crowd at spring and summer parties. The leg of lamb is rubbed with an anchovy and garlic butter paste to keep the meat moist will adding savory flavor.

I like to serve this recipe alongside a simple butter lettuce salad, refried lentils and some roasted vegetables like spiced carrots.

Anchovy-Garlic Butter Rubbed Whole Roasted Lamb Leg

food served on the table

All About Whole Legs of Lamb

When ordering a leg of lamb from your local butcher, be sure to know what to ask for. I prefer American lamb because domestic lamb is less gamey than that imported from New Zealand or Australia. I find that the domestic lamb is slightly sweeter, with a milder and more delicate flavor than it’s counterpart.

A whole leg of lamb refers to the tender upper portion of the back leg of the lamb, with the narrow shank and the fat sirloin. While boneless lamb legs are easier to slice, I prefer to use a bone-in American lamb leg because the bone adds flavor but it also makes for an impressive presentation. Because lamb is so tender, a marinade can be skipped and it can be roasted immediately. I like to make sure my meat is at room temperature prior to cooking so that it cooks evenly.

Tips and Tricks for This Recipe

  • Leftovers can be served cold on their own or made into sandwiches or thinly sliced in pita.
Anchovy-Garlic Butter Rubbed Whole Roasted Lamb Leg with Potatoes American Lamb cooking with cocktail rings american lamb board

How to Make Whole Roasted Lamb Leg

  1. Prep lamb. To prepare the leg of lamb start by removing the fell (a tough layer of fat) if necessary, with a sharp knife. Next trim the fat cap so that it is about ¼” thick. Make ½” deep incisions with a sharp knife all over the meat so the rub can penetrate.
  2. Make the anchovy-garlic paste. In a small mixing bowl stir together the garlic, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard and butter. Season the lamb all over with salt and pepper and rub the paste all over the lamb.
  3. Sear lamb. Heat oven to 450ºF (230ºC). Position lamb on a rack set in a roasting pan so that the fat-cap side is down. Roast until the lamb is browned, about 15 minutes. Rotate the lamb so it’s fat-side up and lower oven heat to 350ºF (180ºC).
  4. Roast lamb. Roast lamb for 45 minutes. In a medium mixing bowl toss together the potatoes with the olive oil and rosemary and arrange under the rack holding the lamb. Continue roasting until the internal temperature of the lamb reaches 130ºF, about an additional 45 minutes to hour.
  5. Let lamb rest. Remove the lamb from the pan to a large cutting board and let rest, tented with aluminum foil for 15 minutes.
  6. Char lemons. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat, add lemons cut side down and cook until grill marks appear, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  7. Carve and serve. Carve lamb against the grain into ½-inch slices and serve on a platter with potatoes and lemons arranged around the board.

 Serving Ideas for Whole Lamb Leg:

Anchovy-Garlic Butter Rubbed Roasted Whole Lamb Leg

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Serves 8

Ingredients:

  • 1 (5-7 pound) bone-in whole American leg of lamb, aitchbone removed by butcher
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons anchovy paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
  • Kosher salt, as needed
  • 2 pounds small Yukon gold potatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 springs fresh rosemary
  • 3 lemons, halved

Instructions:

  • To prepare the leg of lamb start by removing the fell (a tough layer of fat) if necessary, with a sharp knife. Next trim the fat cap so that it is about ¼” thick. Make ½” deep incisions with a sharp knife all over the meat so the rub can penetrate.
  • In a small mixing bowl stir together the garlic, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard and butter. Season the lamb all over with salt and pepper and rub the paste all over the lamb.
  • Heat oven to 450ºF (230ºC). Position lamb on a rack set in a roasting pan so that the fat-cap side is down. Roast until the lamb is browned, about 15 minutes. Rotate the lamb so it’s fat-side up and lower oven heat to 350ºF (180ºC).
  • Roast lamb for 45 minutes. In a medium mixing bowl toss together the potatoes with the olive oil and rosemary and arrange under the rack holding the lamb. Continue roasting until the internal temperature of the lamb reaches 130ºF, about an additional 45 minutes to hour.
  • Remove the lamb from the pan to a large cutting board and let rest, tented with aluminum foil for 15 minutes.
  • Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat, add lemons cut side down and cook until grill marks appear, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  • Carve lamb against the grain into ½-inch slices and serve on a platter with potatoes and lemons arranged around the board.

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This post was created in partnership with American Lamb Board – all opinions expressed are my own.

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