Butterflied lamb leg with a yogurt-herb marinade
Mediterranean Grilled Lamb Leg
Mediterranean Grilled Lamb Leg
45 minMedium
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8
1 lamb leg
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Premium
$$$
Mediterranean Grilled Lamb Leg
Butterflied lamb leg with a yogurt-herb marinade
A butterflied leg of lamb marinated in yogurt, lemon, and Mediterranean herbs, then grilled to smoky perfection. A showstopping centerpiece for any gathering.
20m
Prep Time
25m
Cook Time
45m
Total Time
8
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Premium $$$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Butterflying a leg of lamb creates an uneven surface that gives you a range of doneness in every slice—from well-done edges to rosy-pink center. The yogurt marinade makes it impossibly tender.
Ingredients
- 1 boneless butterflied leg of lamb (3-4 lbs)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- 1
Mix yogurt, garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Coat lamb thoroughly and marinate 4-12 hours.
- 2
Remove lamb and scrape off excess marinade. Let come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
- 3
Preheat grill to high heat with a two-zone setup.
- 4
Sear over direct heat 5 minutes per side, then move to indirect heat for 15-20 minutes until 130°F for medium-rare.
- 5
Rest 10 minutes, then slice across the grain and serve with tzatziki and grilled vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
Substitutions
Lamb legLamb shoulder, butterflied
More fat and flavor, slightly tougher but very tasty
Greek yogurtButtermilk
Similar tenderizing acidity with a thinner consistency
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the olive oil matters
On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.
This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
- Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
- Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Ask your butcher to butterfly the leg—it saves significant prep time.
The thinner parts will be more done, thicker parts more rare—carve accordingly for each guest.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Excellent sliced cold in sandwiches.
Reheating
Reheat slices in a hot skillet for 2 minutes per side.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (120mg) · 8 servings
Calories380
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein42g
Carbohydrates22g
Fat2g
Fiber420mg
Sugar0g
Sodium1g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does butterflied mean?
- The bone is removed and the leg is opened flat like a book for even grilling.
- How do I know when it is done?
- Use a thermometer in the thickest part: 130°F medium-rare, 140°F medium.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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