Best 8 Roast Leg Of Lamb With Fennel Butter Recipes

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Roast leg of lamb with fennel butter is a delightful dish that brings together the tender and flavorful meat of lamb with the aromatic and earthy notes of fennel. This classic recipe is perfect for any special occasion, whether it be a family gathering or a romantic dinner party. The preparation involves marinating the lamb leg in a mixture of herbs, spices, and olive oil, infusing it with a wealth of flavors. Once roasted to perfection, the lamb is served alongside a luscious fennel butter, which complements the richness of the meat with its delicate aniseed flavor. The result is a dish that is both elegant and comforting, leaving you with a lasting impression of its exquisite taste.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH FENNEL BUTTER



Roast Leg of Lamb with Fennel Butter image

Categories     Lamb     Roast     Low Carb     Red Wine     Winter     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Seasoned butter
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, room temperature
3 tablespoons fennel seeds, crushed in plastic bag with mallet
3 large garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons dried crushed rosemary
Lamb
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 6- to 6 1/2-pound bone-in leg of lamb, well trimmed
2 cups dry red wine
1 1/3 cups low-salt chicken broth
Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

Steps:

  • For seasoned butter:
  • Mix all ingredients with fork in medium bowl. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
  • For lamb:
  • Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Pour 2 tablespoons oil into large roasting pan. Place pan directly atop 2 burners over medium-high heat. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Add lamb to pan and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Remove pan from heat. Brush lamb with half of seasoned butter.
  • Roast lamb 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F; continue roasting until thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat registers 130°F for medium-rare, about 40 minutes longer. Transfer to platter; tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes.
  • Skim off fat from drippings in roasting pan. Place pan atop 2 burners over high heat. Add wine and broth. Boil until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 13 minutes. Whisk in remaining seasoned butter (sauce will be thin). Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Garnish lamb with rosemary sprigs, if desired. Serve with sauce.

HONEY-BRAISED LEG OF LAMB WITH CARROTS AND FENNEL



Honey-Braised Leg of Lamb with Carrots and Fennel image

Provided by Nancy Fuller

Categories     main-dish

Time 5h20m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 1/2 cups fresh mint, chopped
1/2 cup fresh rosemary, chopped
10 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
One 5-pound boneless leg of lamb
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup honey
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup dry white wine
6 medium carrots, cut into large (3-inch) pieces
2 red onions, cut into quarters
2 fennel bulbs, stalks removed, bulbs cut in half and then into 1 1/2-inch strips
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the mint, rosemary and garlic. Open up the lamb flat on a baking sheet and top with some salt and pepper, about 2 tablespoons of the honey and about three-quarters of the herb-garlic mix. Roll up the lamb and tie it with butcher's twine, then top with the remaining honey and herb-garlic mix. Refrigerate, uncovered, for about 2 hours to marinate, then let the lamb come to room temperature before cooking.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Add the chicken broth, white wine, carrots, onions and fennel to a large Dutch oven, then set the lamb on top of the vegetables. Roast until the lamb registers an internal temperature of 130 degrees F (medium rare) on an instant-read thermometer, about 2 hours.
  • Let the lamb rest on a cutting board for 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to a serving platter.
  • In a small bowl, use a fork to mash the butter and flour together to form a smooth paste. Place the Dutch oven with the pan juices over medium heat and bring to a simmer, then whisk in the butter and flour mixture. Bring to a boil and heat until thickened, about 3 minutes.
  • Slice the lamb and serve with the vegetables and pan sauce spooned over.

ROASTED LEG OF LAMB



Roasted Leg of Lamb image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Extra-virgin olive oil
3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 pounds fennel bulb, cut into wedges through the root
1 head garlic, broken into cloves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (5 to 7-pound) leg of lamb, boned
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
1-ounce dried porcini mushrooms, ground in a spice grinder

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place a large roasting tray into the oven to heat it up. When hot remove from oven and add a drizzle of olive oil. Toss potatoes, fennel and garlic onto hot sheet tray and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place into oven on a lower rack.
  • Take the boneless leg of lamb and open it up. Season inside with olive oil, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Rub with garlic and thyme then make a cut down the middle, separating the lamb into 2 pieces where the muscles naturally separate. Roll each piece up into a small roast and secure with kitchen twine. Rub the outside with olive oil and season with porcini powder, salt and pepper.
  • Set a large pan over high heat and add a 2-count of olive oil. Sear meat, turning the lamb to brown evenly all over. Once browned transfer the roasts to the oven and place directly on a rack above the fennel and potatoes.
  • Roast for 35 to 40 minutes until lamb is medium-rare. Rest meat for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with roasted potatoes and fennel.

BROILED AND SLOW-ROASTED BUTTERFLIED LEG OF LAMB WITH CUMIN AND GARLIC



Broiled and Slow-Roasted Butterflied Leg of Lamb With Cumin and Garlic image

Who says making a feast has to take forever? For large gatherings like Passover and Easter, leg of lamb is the roast of choice, and arranged on a platter garnished with herbs, it makes a stunning centerpiece. Buying leg of lamb butterflied from the butcher will leave you time to socialize while it is slow-roasting without worrying about uneven cooking.

Provided by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Lamb     Leg

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 9

¼ cup olive oil
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 (8 pound) leg of lamb, boned and butterflied to a more or less even thickness, 4 3/4 to 5 1/2 pounds trimmed weight, fell and most fat removed
1 lemon, juiced
½ cup Minced fresh parsley, cilantro or mint

Steps:

  • Mix oil, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin and oregano; spread paste on both sides of the lamb and let stand for an hour until meat comes to room temperature.
  • Adjust oven rack to upper or upper-middle position (depending on lamb's thickness) and preheat broiler on high for at least 10 minutes.
  • Place lamb, cut side up, on a large wire rack set over a foil-lined roasting pan. Broil, moving pan so entire surface browns evenly, about 8 minutes. Turn lamb over; continue to broil until well browned on the other side, about 8 minutes longer. Turn off broiler, remove lamb from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Heat oven to 325 degrees. Stick a meat thermometer into the thickest portion of the lamb; return it to the oven. Roast for a total of 50 minutes to 1 hour, until thermometer registers a rosy-pink 140 degrees. Check lamb several times after 30 minutes. If lamb gets done sooner, simply turn down oven to 170 degrees until ready to serve.
  • As soon as lamb comes out of the oven, squeeze on lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Carve, slicing across the grain when possible. Arrange on a platter, drizzle with accumulated juices, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 336.4 calories, Carbohydrate 2.2 g, Cholesterol 105.6 mg, Fat 22.8 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 29.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 493.5 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

ROAST LEG OF LAMB



Roast Leg of Lamb image

Cooking peeled potatoes in the pan around the roast is yummy. The only other things you need are gravy made from the pan drippings and a fresh vegetable.

Provided by MBENHAM

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Lamb     Leg

Time 2h10m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 cloves garlic, sliced
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
5 pounds leg of lamb

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Cut slits in the top of the leg of lamb every 3 to 4 inches, deep enough to push slices of garlic down into the meat. Salt and pepper generously all over the top of lamb, place several sprigs of fresh rosemary under and on top of the lamb. Place lamb on roasting pan.
  • Roast in preheated oven until the lamb is cooked to your desired doneness, about 1 3/4 to 2 hours. Do not overcook the lamb, the flavor is best if meat is still slightly pink. Let rest at least 10 minutes before carving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 381.8 calories, Carbohydrate 0.4 g, Cholesterol 136.1 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 35.8 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Sodium 136.3 mg

ROASTED LEG OF LAMB



Roasted Leg of Lamb image

Roasting is a popular cooking method for a reason. See our step-by-step guides to Preparing a Leg of Lamb and Carving a Leg of Lamb at the Table.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Lamb Recipes

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 bone-in leg of lamb, aitchbone removed by butcher (7 to 8 pounds)
2 tablespoons coarse salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup chicken broth or water
2/3 cup dry red wine
1 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • For the cleanest-looking presentation, trim 1 1/2 inches of flesh from the shank bone with a sharp paring knife. (Your butcher may be willing to do this for you.)
  • The fell is a thin outer layer of fat that you may find if you buy an untrimmed leg from a butcher. It's very tough, so it's important to remove all of it. A long knife with a sharp thin blade is the best tool for the job.
  • Trim the excess fat that lies beneath the fell, but leave enough to enrich the meat and gravy. It also crisps up nicely when broiled, which helps give the carved slices great texture. Use shears to trim the fat pads around the hip, or large end.
  • Make incisions 1 inch long and 1/2 inch deep all over the leg; they?ll allow the aromatic rub to penetrate the meat more easily. Roughening the surface in this way also results in a crisper, more flavorful crust after broiling.
  • Stir together salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, mustard, and oil in a small bowl until it forms a wet paste. Spread rub evenly over lamb, working it into the incisions. Let lamb sit at room temperature, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Transfer lamb, fat side up, to a large roasting pan fitted with a rack, and add broth. Roast lamb 20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325 degrees, and roast until a thermometer inserted into thickest part of flesh near the bone reaches 130 degrees to 135 degrees (medium-rare), about 55 minutes. Increase temperature to broil; broil until surface sizzles and becomes brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer lamb to a platter or carving board; let rest at least 20 minutes before carving.

RACK OF LAMB WITH ROASTED FENNEL AND GARLIC



Rack of Lamb With Roasted Fennel And Garlic image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories     dinner, one pot, roasts, main course

Time 1h30m

Yield Four servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 teaspoons olive oil
5 cloves garlic, 2 cloves minced, 3 cloves thinly sliced
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
1 rack of lamb, prepared by your butcher
3 medium-size fennel bulbs, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise, then across into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine 1 teaspoon of olive oil, the minced garlic, fennel seeds, mustard and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a small bowl. Rub the mixture over the back of the lamb. Set aside.
  • Place the fennel in a large, shallow roasting pan and toss with the sliced garlic, remaining olive oil, chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste. Roast, tossing from time to time, for 35 minutes. Place the lamb over the fennel and roast until the lamb is medium-rare, about 30 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Carve the lamb. Season the fennel with additional salt and pepper to taste. Divide the lamb and the fennel among 4 plates and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 199, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 449 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams

FENNEL-RUBBED LEG OF LAMB WITH CARROTS AND SALSA VERDE



Fennel-Rubbed Leg of Lamb with Carrots and Salsa Verde image

If you want to stuff the roast as pictured, ask your butcher for a butterflied leg, not tied. Double the ingredients for the rub recipe and smear half onto lamb, then roll and tie it, and smear with the rest of the rub before roasting.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     Bon Appétit     Dinner     Lamb     Roast     Fall     Spring     Fennel     Carrot     Parsley     Chive     Lemon Juice     Garlic

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Lamb:
1 (4-5-pound) butterflied boneless leg of lamb, rolled, tied
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons fennel seeds
4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
4 garlic cloves, finely grated
3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup olive oil
2 1/2 pounds small or medium carrots with tops
Salsa Verde and assembly:
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped chives
2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
Special Equipment
A spice mill or mortar and pestle

Steps:

  • Lamb:
  • Season lamb generously with salt and pepper; let it sit out at room temperature while you prepare the rub.
  • Using spice mill or mortar and pestle, coarsely grind fennel seeds and red pepper flakes. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in garlic and 3 Tbsp. oil. Evenly rub lamb all over with spice mixture, making sure to work it into every nook and cranny.
  • Preheat oven to 300°F. Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a large heavy skillet over medium. As soon as oil is hot and shimmering, add lamb to skillet and cook, carefully pouring off fat as needed into a small bowl (reserve it), until golden brown all over, 3-5 minutes per side. The goal here is to cook out some of the excess fat while you brown the meat, so it's important to maintain a moderate heat to keep the meat from getting dark before the fat can melt out. If the oil looks really dark or tastes burned, discard it and use olive oil in the next step.
  • Trim tops from carrots and set aside for making the salsa verde. Scrub carrots, pat dry, and scatter along the outer edges of a large rimmed baking sheet. Place seared lamb in the center. Pour reserved fat and any fat still in skillet (don't forget to scrape out the crispy bits stuck to the bottom of the pan) over carrots, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
  • Roast lamb and carrots until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of leg registers 135°F for medium-rare, 75-90 minutes. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and tent with foil; let rest 20 minutes. Leave oven on.
  • Salsa Verde and assembly:
  • While the lamb is resting, transfer carrots to a platter, then carefully pour any juices from the baking sheet into a small bowl (you should have about 1/4 cup; if you don't, top off with olive oil). Transfer carrots back to baking sheet and pop back into oven. Roast 5 minutes to reheat.
  • Meanwhile, finely chop reserved carrot tops to make 1/2 cup; discard remaining tops. Place in a small bowl and mix in parsley, chives, lemon juice, pan juices, and 2 Tbsp. oil. Season with salt and pepper and more lemon juice if needed.
  • Remove twine from lamb and slice about 1/2" thick (but you can really go as thick or thin as you would like). Arrange on a platter and serve with warm roasted carrots and salsa verde alongside.

Tips:

  • Choose the right cut of lamb: A leg of lamb is a great choice for roasting, as it is a relatively tender and flavorful cut of meat.
  • Prepare the lamb properly: Before roasting, trim off any excess fat from the lamb and score the skin to help the heat penetrate evenly.
  • Use a flavorful marinade or rub: Marinating or rubbing the lamb with a mixture of herbs, spices, and olive oil will help to enhance its flavor.
  • Roast the lamb at a high temperature initially: This will help to brown the meat and seal in its juices.
  • Reduce the temperature and continue roasting: Once the lamb is browned, reduce the oven temperature and continue roasting until the meat is cooked to your desired doneness.
  • Make a flavorful sauce: While the lamb is roasting, make a sauce by sautéing vegetables and herbs in the roasting pan drippings.
  • Let the lamb rest before carving: Once the lamb is cooked, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Conclusion:

Roast leg of lamb with fennel butter is a delicious and impressive dish that is perfect for a special occasion. By following these tips, you can ensure that your lamb is cooked to perfection and that your guests will be raving about it.

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