How to Make Holiday Leg of Lamb - A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to holiday feasts, few dishes can rival the impressive presentation and incredible flavor of a perfectly cooked leg of lamb. Whether you're celebrating Easter, Christmas, or any other special occasion, this show-stopping main course is sure to be a hit with your guests. Juicy, tender, and bursting with savory goodness, a holiday leg of lamb is the perfect centerpiece for a festive meal.

One of the great things about cooking a leg of lamb for the holidays is that it's rel...

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Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
  • ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 5 pounds whole leg of lamb
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 orange peel, cut into slivers
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, or to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hrs
  • Additional Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
  • Servings: 10
  • Yield: 10 servings

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, seasoned salt, marjoram, mustard and cardamom. Rub spice mixture over lamb. Cut 16 deep slits into roast. Insert thyme and a sliver of orange peel into each slit. Place lamb fat side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer in center of thickest portion of meat.
  • Roast lamb in preheated oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Meat is medium done when a meat thermometer registers 175 degrees F. and is well done at 180 degrees F.
  • Remove meat thermometer. Place roast on a warm serving platter. Put a paper frill around end of leg bone and garnish platter with fresh mint.
  • Nutrition

    524 cal.

    • Total Fat: 39g
    • Saturated Fat: 17g
    • Cholesterol: 157mg
    • Sodium: 452mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 0g
    • Dietary Fiber: 0g
    • Protein: 41g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 27mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 571mg