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Flavorful Spiced Butterflied Leg of Lamb on the Grill

spiced butterflied leg of lamb on the grill - featured image

A bold and juicy butterflied leg of lamb grilled to perfection with a balanced Mediterranean-inspired spice rub. Perfect for BBQs and gatherings, this recipe delivers tender, flavorful lamb with an unbeatable char.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole leg of lamb (about 45 lbs), butterflied
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Butterfly the leg of lamb by slicing horizontally through the thickest part without cutting all the way through, then open it like a book.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, oregano, black pepper, salt, lemon juice, and zest. Add cayenne pepper if desired.
  3. Rub the marinade all over the butterflied leg, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight.
  4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 375Β°F). For charcoal grills, spread coals evenly for direct heat grilling.
  5. Place lamb skin side down on the grill. Cook 6-8 minutes per side to sear and get grill marks.
  6. Move lamb to indirect heat or lower flame, close lid, and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally.
  7. Check doneness with a meat thermometer: 135Β°F for medium-rare, 145Β°F for medium.
  8. Wrap lamb loosely in aluminum foil and let rest for 10-15 minutes.
  9. Slice against the grain into thin slices and serve.

Notes

Marinate overnight for best flavor and tenderness. Use a two-zone grill setup for searing and indirect cooking. Rest the lamb after grilling to redistribute juices. If flare-ups occur, move lamb to cooler part of grill. Slicing against the grain ensures tenderness. If no grill is available, roast in oven at 400Β°F for 35-40 minutes and broil for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: lamb, grilled lamb, butterflied leg of lamb, BBQ lamb, spiced lamb, Mediterranean lamb, easy lamb recipe, summer grilling