Roasted Leg Lamb Potatoes (Printable)

Tender leg of lamb paired with golden roasted potatoes and aromatic herbs for a comforting meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Lamb

01 - 1 (4.5–5.5 lb) bone-in leg of lamb, trimmed
02 - 4 cloves garlic, sliced
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
05 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
06 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced

→ Roasted Potatoes

09 - 3.3 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
13 - 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
14 - 4 cloves garlic, smashed

→ To Serve

15 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F.
02 - Using a sharp knife, make small incisions all over the lamb. Insert garlic slices into the incisions.
03 - In a small bowl, combine rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Rub this mixture all over the lamb.
04 - Place the lamb in a large roasting pan. Let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes if possible.
05 - In a separate bowl, toss potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, and smashed garlic. Arrange the potatoes around the lamb in the roasting pan.
06 - Roast for 20 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
07 - Continue roasting for 1 hour 10 minutes for medium-rare, turning potatoes halfway through.
08 - Check the lamb's internal temperature with a meat thermometer (should read 140°F for medium-rare; adjust for preferred doneness).
09 - Remove lamb and potatoes from the oven. Transfer lamb to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest 15–20 minutes.
10 - Toss potatoes in pan juices and return to oven if additional crisping is desired. Carve lamb, arrange with potatoes, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The lamb stays incredibly juicy while developing that gorgeous crust everyone fights over
  • Potatoes cooked in the pan juices might just be the best part of the whole meal
  • Most of the active work happens upfront, leaving you free to enjoy your guests
02 -
  • Letting the meat rest is nonnegotiable even if you are eager to eat
  • A thermometer eliminates all the guesswork about doneness
  • Room temperature meat cooks more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
03 -
  • Taking the lamb out of the fridge an hour before cooking helps it cook evenly
  • Do not skip the high-heat start because it creates that gorgeous crust