Slow Roast Leg of Lamb
Total Time
5 hours and 30 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
5 hours and 15 minutes
Rating
4.96 out of 5 stars
(341)
Ingredients
8 servings
- 2.25 kg / 4.5 lb leg of lamb , bone in (or shoulder) (Note 1)
- Salt and pepper
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil
- 1 whole garlic head (, unpeeled, cut in half horizontally)
- 1 onion (, quartered (unpeeled is fine)
- 2 rosemary sprigs (2 = whisper of rosemary flavour, 4 sprigs = stronger flavour)
- 3 cups beef stock/broth (, low sodium (or homemade)
- 2 cups water
- 4 tbsp flour (white)
- 1 cup water
- Salt and pepper (, to taste)
How would you rate this recipe?
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 170°C/335°F (standard) or 150°C (fan).
Step 2
Place garlic, onion and rosemary in a metal roasting pan.
Step 3
Season lamb: Place lamb leg right side up in the pan. (Note 2) Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and rub it in.
Step 4
Turn lamb over and place it so it mostly sits on the garlic and onion. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper, rub it in. (Video helpful here)
Step 5
Add liquids and cover: Drizzle lamb with olive oil. Pour broth and water around the lamb - it won't cover it, that's ok, the lamb sinks into it. Cover with foil (don't use a lid, you want a bit of liquid to steam out).
Step 6
Slow roast: Place in the oven and roast for 4.5 hours. (See Notes for roasting time table)
Step 7
Check meat: Remove from the oven, remove foil. Turn lamb over. Check it to ensure the meat is tender enough to pry a bit off easily with a fork. If not, return, covered, to oven.
Step 8
Brown lamb: Return uncovered lamb to oven for a further 45 minutes or until well browned.
Step 9
Rest: Remove lamb, spoon over pan juices generously. Transfer to serving platter, cover loosely with foil while you make the gravy (stays warm for 1 - 1.5 hours).
Step 10
Gravy:
Step 11
Skim fat: Use a large spoon to skim off and discard some of the fat from the surface of the liquid.
Step 12
Add flour: Place pan on the stove on medium high. When the liquid bubbles, add flour. Use a whisk to mix it in - this may take a few minutes as the liquid reduces.
Step 13
Add water: Once it looks like sludge (see video), whisk in 1/2 - 1 cup of water until it becomes a gravy consistency to your taste. Adjust salt and pepper to taste - I rarely add extra salt.
Step 14
Strain gravy into a bowl, pressing juices out of the onion etc. Pour gravy into jug.
Step 15
Serving:
Step 16
The meat is tender so you will only need tongs to tear the meat off. Serve with gravy!
Step 17
Save recipe for the next time?