• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Bites
    • Mains
    • Sides
    • Salads & Dressings
    • Pizza
    • Soups & Stews
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Drinks & Libations
    • Breads, Butters, and Jams
    • Sourdough
    • Sauces & Savory Condiments
    • Harry Potter
    • Recipe Index
  • Shop
    • Kitchen Tools
    • Pantry Staples
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy

Whip & Wander

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Newsletter
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Whip & Wander » Recipes » Mains

    Published: Nov 15, 2021 · Modified: Jan 23, 2025 by Jenni · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Braised Leg of Lamb

    This page may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    a large white round platter with shredded lamb on top
    shredded lamb shown in closeup with rosemary
    a round platter containing shredded braised leg of lamb and a bowl of jus
    a bowl of jus next to rosemary, cranberries, and shredded braised lamb on a platter
    a bone-in leg of lamb roast in a dutch oven pot
    a bone in leg of lamb resting in a red dutch oven after being cooked
    a large white round platter containing shredded lamb, rosemary, cranberries, and a bowl of jus

    shredded Braised Leg of Lamb on a large white platter with a bowl of jus, garnished with fresh cranberries and rosemary

    Ideal for holiday meals and cozy weekends

    This Braised Leg of Lamb is ideal for both holiday meals and leisurely fall and winter weekends that demand cozy food cooked slowly. Bone-in leg of lamb is seared until brown and crisp on the outside then braised in the oven in a broth embued with fresh garlic, rosemary, thyme, and Dijon until fall-off-the-bone tender. The resulting is lovely served with the jus and a crusty roll, or you can use the juice to make gravy and serve with mashed potatoes -- Either way is delicious and perfectly cozy.

    a duch oven filled with broth, rosemary, thyme, and garlic
    a dutch oven with a large lamb roast
    closeup of a large lamb roast in a dutch oven

    What ingredients do I need to make this braised lamb?

    • 5 lbs bone-in leg of lamb
    • 4 teaspoon Kosher salt
    • 2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 32 oz (4 cups) of beef broth or dry red wine, or a combination of both
    • 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 2 heads of garlic - don't bother peeling, just slice the heads in half and pop them right in the pan
    • 1 large bundle of fresh rosemary
    • 1 medium bundle of fresh thyme

    Bone-in vs Boneless Leg of Lamb

    I prefer to use bone-in leg of lamb for this braised lamb recipe because it offers the best flavor compared to boneless. It also works well for shredding as the meat should be tender enough that you can usually just pull it straight off the bone with a fork once it's fully cooked. If you are unable to source bone-in leg of lamb, you can certainly use boneless for this recipe but it may take longer to cook. Unlike other bone-in meats like chicken that often take longer to cook, bone-in lamb often takes less time to cook than boneless as the bone acts as an insulator for heat.

    a lamb roast in a large dutch oven after cooking
    a Braised Leg of Lamb in a dutch oven

    What to serve with Braised Leg of Lamb

    I love to serve this braised lamb dish with easy sides like potatoes, roasted vegetables, and crusty bread. It's also fantastic leftover for cold sandwiches the next day. Some of my favorite recipes to serve with this Braised Leg of Lamb recipe are:

    • Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios
    • Roasted Cinnamon Garlic Sweet Potatoes
    • Mediterranean Roasted Rainbow Vegetables
    • Roasted Greek Potatoes with Whipped Feta
    • Roasted Delicata Squash and Beets with Horseradish Cream and Candied Walnuts
    • Brussels Sprouts au Gratin with Pancetta and Walnuts
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Sriracha Sauce
    • Smashed Potatoes with Lemon Dill Cream Sauce
    a large white platter with shredded braised lamb, jus, and herbs on top
    a platter with shredded Braised Leg of Lamb, a bowl of jus, and a garnish of fresh rosemary and cranberries

    What tools do I need to make this recipe?

    • A large Dutch oven
    • A cutting board
    • A chef's knife
    • Liquid measuring cups
    • Measuring spoons
    • Kitchen tongs or two large forks
    • A plate
    • A wooden spatula
    • A fine mesh strainer

    Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

    shredded lamb with rosemary
    a platter of shredded lamb with a bowl of just on a platter on a dark green cloth

    Looking for more dinner inspiration?

    Love this Braised Leg of Lamb recipe? Here are some more of my favorite main dish recipes:

    • Greek Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
    • Pressure Cooker Barbacoa Beef
    • Grilled Skirt Steak with Avocado Chimichurri Sauce
    • Yule Ball Beef Goulash
    • Pressure Cooker Beef Bourguignon
    • Christmas Eve Lasagne
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    shredded Braised Leg of Lamb on a large white platter with a bowl of jus, garnished with fresh cranberries and rosemary

    Braised Leg of Lamb

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
    • Author: Whip & Wander
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Category: Mains
    • Method: Oven / Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This Braised Leg of Lamb is ideal for both holiday meals and leisurely fall and winter weekends that demand cozy food cooked slowly. Bone-in leg of lamb is seared until brown and crisp on the outside then braised in the oven in a broth embued with fresh garlic, rosemary, thyme, and Dijon until fall-off-the-bone tender. The resulting is lovely served with the jus and a crusty roll, or you can use the juice to make gravy and serve with mashed potatoes -- Either way is delicious and perfectly cozy.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 5 lbs bone-in leg of lamb
    • 4 tsp Kosher salt
    • 2 tsp cracked black pepper
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 16 oz (about 2 cups) beef broth
    • 16 oz (about 2 cups) dry red wine (may substitute for an equal measure of additional beef broth)
    • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
    • 2 heads garlic, sliced in half (no need to peel)
    • 1 large bundle fresh rosemary (about 25 sprigs)
    • 1 medium bundle fresh thyme (about 15 sprigs)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F / 160 C.
    2. Pat the lamb dry with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper on both sides.
    3. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat on the stove until hot. Add the olive oil and once hot and shimmering, add the lamb. Cook undisturbed for about 6-7 minutes until brown on one side, then using kitchen tongs or two large forks, carefully turn the lamb and cook the opposite side for an additional 6-7 minutes until brown on the opposite side. Turn heat off, carefully remove the lamb from the Dutch oven and reserve onto a plate to the side.
    4. To the hot Dutch oven, add the broth and wine (if using). Using a wooden or silicone spatula, gently scrape the bottom of the pan to dislodge any browned bits. Add the Dijon mustard and mix until well-combined, then add the halved garlic heads and bundles of rosemary and thyme. Carefully add the seared lamb leg back to the pan -- it can go directly on top of the garlic and herbs.
    5. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and place in the oven to braise for 3-3 ½ hours, baste the lamb with the braising liquid once every hour or so, until the meat is tender and bone wiggles easily in the joint. The recommended minimum temperature for lamb is 145 degrees F, however with braised meat you will likely end up with temperatures that exceed this.
    6. Once cooked, carefully the meat from the Dutch oven to rest for 10-15 minutes, then shred with a fork and discard the bone. Strain the garlic and herbs from the remaining basting liquid and serve the jus as-is alongside the meat or use to make gravy if desired.

    Notes

    Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ⅛th of recipe (with jus)
    • Calories: 610
    • Sodium: 836 mg
    • Fat: 36 g
    • Saturated Fat: 15 g
    • Carbohydrates: 2 g
    • Protein: 56 g
    • Cholesterol: 188 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @whipandwander on Instagram and hashtag it #whipandwander

    « Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios
    Pumpkin Potatoes au Gratin »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Pleased to meet you, I’m Jenni!

    Welcome to my little slice of the web where I share recipes for food, travel, books, and life!

    More about me →

    What to Make Right Now

    • a large white bowl with Southwest Pasta Salad resting on a gauzy green cloth with wooden salad servers
      Southwest Pasta Salad
    • a gold spoon scooping up roasted salmon topped with fresh herbs and feta
      Roasted Salmon with Feta and Herbs
    • A big white bowl filled Curried Chicken Salad on an orange cloth with salad servers
      Curried Chicken Salad
    • a white bowl with Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke and a gold fork inside
      Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke

    It's Big Salad Season

    • BBQ Chicken Salad in a large white bowl with a jar of buttermilk jalapeno ranch dressing on the side
      BBQ Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch
    • A Burger Salad with Meatballs, a bowl of Special Sauce, and a plate of blue cheese
      Burger Salad with Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs and Special Sauce
    • A large white bowl filled with bbq pulled pork salad resting on a green cloth with peaches next to the bowl
      BBQ Pulled Pork Salad with Peaches and Cornbread Croutons
    • Tuna Salad Nicoise on a large white platter sitting on a wooden surface with salaf serving utensils resting to the right of the platter
      Tuna Nicoise Salad (Salade Niçoise)

    Summer Salads to Serve on the Side

    • strawberry peach salad on a white platter resting on a white towel
      Strawberry Peach Summer Salad with Basil Walnut Pesto
    • Wedge Salad with Horseradish Blue Cheese Dressing on a deep white plate
      Wedge Salad with Horseradish Blue Cheese Dressing
    • Arugula Salad with Calabrian Chili Oil, Lemon, and Parmesan on a white plate resting on a green cloth
      Arugula Salad with Calabrian Chili Oil, Lemon, and Parmesan
    • two white bowls with Caesar Salad with Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, Jammy Eggs, and Avocado, a small plate of lemons on the side
      Caesar Salad with Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, Jammy Eggs, and Avocado

    The Best Sandwiches Ever

    • a Prosciutto and Cheese Sandwich with Chili Fig Jam resting n a white plate on an orange cloth
      Prosciutto and Cheese Sandwich with Chili Fig Jam
    • an open baguette with onion, arugula, eggs, tapenade, tuna salad, tomatoes
      French Tuna Sandwich (Pan Bagnat)
    • an Italian Deli Sandwich on a white plate on a green cloth
      Italian Deli Sandwich
    • a closeup of a baguette with romesco sauce, arugula, and roast beef peeking out
      Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula

    Popular Recipes

    • a hand pulling a square of cheesy pizza from its tray
      Easy Same-Day Pizza Dough
    • a cast iron skillet with corn bread next to a plate with a slice of cornbread and pat of butter
      Brown Butter Buttermilk Skillet Cornbread
    • a white bowl with instant pot artichokes and lemon wedges in a copper dish
      Pressure Cooker Artichokes
    • a wooden spoon resting in a skillet full of Pasta with Olive Tapenade on a dark teal cloth
      Pasta with Olive Tapenade

    Make it a Pizza Night with These Delicious Recipes

    • a hand grabbing a slice of Peach, Corn, and Jalapeno Pizza with Honey off of a baking tray
      Peach, Corn, and Jalapeno Pizza with Honey
    • A slice of pepperoni and cheese pizza on a zucchini pizza crust being pulled off of a tray by a hand
      Zucchini Pizza Crust
    • a hand pulling a slice of White Clam Pizza off of a baking sheet
      White Clam Pizza
    • square slizes of BBQ Chicken Pizza on a sheet pan
      BBQ Chicken Pizza

    Bright & Easy Brunch Dishes

    • breakfast tacos on a white plate with cilantro and eggs
      Green Chili Breakfast Tacos
    • Peaches and fresh whipped cream on top of a Buttermilk Dutch Baby in a cast iron skillet resting on a wooden surface
      Buttermilk Dutch Baby
    • three plate with slices of kitchen sink frittata resting on a tan cloth
      Kitchen Sink Frittata
    • Blueberry sauce ont op of a stack of pancakes that have been cut into resting on a lilac cloth
      Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Pancakes

    Sweet Summer Treats

    • baked spiced peach crumble bars with almonds on top
      Spiced Peach Crumble Bars (Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar-Free)
    • Buttermilk Peach Pie Ice Cream in a glass pan resting on a cloth with two fresh peaches nearby
      Buttermilk Peach Pie Ice Cream
    • several plates with slices of pound cake, topped with whipped cream and berries on a neutral back ground
      Perfect Pound Cake
    • a harry potter book sitting next to a glass dish of strawberry buttermilk ice cream with a metal ice cream scoop and two cones resting in the dish. a bowl of strawberries resting nearby
      Molly Weasley's Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream

    Flavor Boosters: Sauces, Dressings & Condiments

    • Romesco Sauce in a dark green bowl with a gold spoon resting in the bowl
      Romesco Sauce
    • A gold spoon drizzling Special Sauce into a small brown bowl
      Special Sauce
    • Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch Dressing in a glass jar with a gold spoon resting in the jar and everything resting on a green cloth
      Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
    • caesar salad dripping off of a spoon into a glass jar
      Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing

    Magical Harry Potter Recipes

    • a loaf pan of ice cream resting next to a harry potter book on orange cloths
      Butterbeer Ice Cream
    • a pink and green iced chocolate birthday cake sitting on a wooden cake stand with a harry potter cook, a cake server, and a dark teal down nearby
      Harry Potter's Sticky Chocolate Birthday Cake (Gluten-Free)
    • a wooden surface with a white bowl filled with lemon slices and lemon ice pops ona blue towel, a harry potter book resting next to the bowl
      Lemon Ice Pops (Harry Potter-Inspired)
    • wooden tray, gillywater, glasses, white towel, mint, lime
      Gillywater

    Pleased to meet you, I’m Jenni!

    Welcome to my little slice of the web where I share recipes for food, travel, books, and life!

    More about me →

    What to Make Right Now

    • a large white bowl with Southwest Pasta Salad resting on a gauzy green cloth with wooden salad servers
      Southwest Pasta Salad
    • a gold spoon scooping up roasted salmon topped with fresh herbs and feta
      Roasted Salmon with Feta and Herbs
    • A big white bowl filled Curried Chicken Salad on an orange cloth with salad servers
      Curried Chicken Salad
    • a white bowl with Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke and a gold fork inside
      Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke

    It's Big Salad Season

    • BBQ Chicken Salad in a large white bowl with a jar of buttermilk jalapeno ranch dressing on the side
      BBQ Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch
    • A Burger Salad with Meatballs, a bowl of Special Sauce, and a plate of blue cheese
      Burger Salad with Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs and Special Sauce
    • A large white bowl filled with bbq pulled pork salad resting on a green cloth with peaches next to the bowl
      BBQ Pulled Pork Salad with Peaches and Cornbread Croutons
    • Tuna Salad Nicoise on a large white platter sitting on a wooden surface with salaf serving utensils resting to the right of the platter
      Tuna Nicoise Salad (Salade Niçoise)

    Summer Salads to Serve on the Side

    • strawberry peach salad on a white platter resting on a white towel
      Strawberry Peach Summer Salad with Basil Walnut Pesto
    • Wedge Salad with Horseradish Blue Cheese Dressing on a deep white plate
      Wedge Salad with Horseradish Blue Cheese Dressing
    • Arugula Salad with Calabrian Chili Oil, Lemon, and Parmesan on a white plate resting on a green cloth
      Arugula Salad with Calabrian Chili Oil, Lemon, and Parmesan
    • two white bowls with Caesar Salad with Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, Jammy Eggs, and Avocado, a small plate of lemons on the side
      Caesar Salad with Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, Jammy Eggs, and Avocado

    The Best Sandwiches Ever

    • a Prosciutto and Cheese Sandwich with Chili Fig Jam resting n a white plate on an orange cloth
      Prosciutto and Cheese Sandwich with Chili Fig Jam
    • an open baguette with onion, arugula, eggs, tapenade, tuna salad, tomatoes
      French Tuna Sandwich (Pan Bagnat)
    • an Italian Deli Sandwich on a white plate on a green cloth
      Italian Deli Sandwich
    • a closeup of a baguette with romesco sauce, arugula, and roast beef peeking out
      Roast Beef Sandwich with Romesco and Arugula

    Popular Recipes

    • a hand pulling a square of cheesy pizza from its tray
      Easy Same-Day Pizza Dough
    • a cast iron skillet with corn bread next to a plate with a slice of cornbread and pat of butter
      Brown Butter Buttermilk Skillet Cornbread
    • a white bowl with instant pot artichokes and lemon wedges in a copper dish
      Pressure Cooker Artichokes
    • a wooden spoon resting in a skillet full of Pasta with Olive Tapenade on a dark teal cloth
      Pasta with Olive Tapenade

    Make it a Pizza Night with These Delicious Recipes

    • a hand grabbing a slice of Peach, Corn, and Jalapeno Pizza with Honey off of a baking tray
      Peach, Corn, and Jalapeno Pizza with Honey
    • A slice of pepperoni and cheese pizza on a zucchini pizza crust being pulled off of a tray by a hand
      Zucchini Pizza Crust
    • a hand pulling a slice of White Clam Pizza off of a baking sheet
      White Clam Pizza
    • square slizes of BBQ Chicken Pizza on a sheet pan
      BBQ Chicken Pizza

    Bright & Easy Brunch Dishes

    • breakfast tacos on a white plate with cilantro and eggs
      Green Chili Breakfast Tacos
    • Peaches and fresh whipped cream on top of a Buttermilk Dutch Baby in a cast iron skillet resting on a wooden surface
      Buttermilk Dutch Baby
    • three plate with slices of kitchen sink frittata resting on a tan cloth
      Kitchen Sink Frittata
    • Blueberry sauce ont op of a stack of pancakes that have been cut into resting on a lilac cloth
      Sourdough Discard Buttermilk Pancakes

    Sweet Summer Treats

    • baked spiced peach crumble bars with almonds on top
      Spiced Peach Crumble Bars (Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar-Free)
    • Buttermilk Peach Pie Ice Cream in a glass pan resting on a cloth with two fresh peaches nearby
      Buttermilk Peach Pie Ice Cream
    • several plates with slices of pound cake, topped with whipped cream and berries on a neutral back ground
      Perfect Pound Cake
    • a harry potter book sitting next to a glass dish of strawberry buttermilk ice cream with a metal ice cream scoop and two cones resting in the dish. a bowl of strawberries resting nearby
      Molly Weasley's Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream

    Flavor Boosters: Sauces, Dressings & Condiments

    • Romesco Sauce in a dark green bowl with a gold spoon resting in the bowl
      Romesco Sauce
    • A gold spoon drizzling Special Sauce into a small brown bowl
      Special Sauce
    • Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch Dressing in a glass jar with a gold spoon resting in the jar and everything resting on a green cloth
      Buttermilk Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
    • caesar salad dripping off of a spoon into a glass jar
      Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing

    Magical Harry Potter Recipes

    • a loaf pan of ice cream resting next to a harry potter book on orange cloths
      Butterbeer Ice Cream
    • a pink and green iced chocolate birthday cake sitting on a wooden cake stand with a harry potter cook, a cake server, and a dark teal down nearby
      Harry Potter's Sticky Chocolate Birthday Cake (Gluten-Free)
    • a wooden surface with a white bowl filled with lemon slices and lemon ice pops ona blue towel, a harry potter book resting next to the bowl
      Lemon Ice Pops (Harry Potter-Inspired)
    • wooden tray, gillywater, glasses, white towel, mint, lime
      Gillywater

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Recipes

    • Appetizers
    • Mains
    • Sides
    • Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Pizza
    • Harry Potter
    • Sourdough

    Whip & Wander

    Copyright © 2024 Whip & Wander. All Rights Reserved.

    Privacy Policy / Disclosures

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    More to consume

    • About
    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Shop Tools
    • Shop Pantry
    338 shares
    • 2
    338 shares
    • 2