Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe
Hey friend, I’m so excited to share this Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe with you! It’s one of those dishes that really feels like a warm hug on a plate — tender lamb that’s falling-off-the-bone soft, infused with bright lemon and aromatic herbs, paired with crispy roasted potatoes. This recipe is perfect when you want an impressive meal without stressing over complicated steps; just prep, pop it in the oven, and let the slow roast do its magic.
I’ve made this recipe numerous times for family gatherings and lazy Sunday dinners, and every single time it’s been a crowd-pleaser. The combination of sweet and regular potatoes roasted in that flavorful marinade makes for a perfect soak of all those lovely juices. If you’re after a recipe that’s easy to nail, full of authentic Greek flavors, and yields leftovers you happily dream about, this Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe is exactly what you need.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To get that perfect balance of flavors and textures, you want fresh, simple ingredients that work beautifully together. The marinade is where the magic happens, and it’s super easy to throw together using typical pantry staples and fresh herbs.
- Leg of lamb: Choose a good-quality 2-3kg leg, ideally from the butcher—fresh, well-marbled, and not frozen.
- Potatoes: I like to mix regular and sweet potatoes for color and sweetness contrast; quartering helps them roast evenly.
- Garlic cloves: Slice some to insert into the lamb and throw whole cloves in with the potatoes for flavor throughout.
- Chicken stock: Adds a rich savory base to the roasting pan and keeps the lamb moist during roasting.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning, don’t be shy—season generously.
- Oregano: Fresh or dried, oregano is classic Greek and pairs beautifully with lamb.
- Paprika: Sweet paprika is my go-to for warmth and mild depth, but smoked paprika adds a lovely twist if you want more smokiness.
- Lemon juice and skin: The bright, zesty punch of lemon is the star of the marinade and roasting dish.
- Olive oil: Use good-quality extra virgin olive oil—it really makes a difference in flavor.
- Onion: A large onion pureed into the marinade helps balance the acidity with sweetness.
- Rosemary: Fresh rosemary works wonders for that earthy, piney aroma classic in Greek cooking.
- Honey: Just a touch to balance the tart lemon, it gives the lamb a subtle glaze during roasting.
- Mustard: Provides a nice tang and depth; Dijon or wholegrain works perfectly.
Variations
I love how versatile this Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe is, so I often tweak it depending on the occasion or what herbs I have on hand. Feel free to experiment—cooking should be as fun as it is delicious!
- Herb swaps: Instead of rosemary, try thyme or a blend of Mediterranean herbs. I once used fresh mint and the lamb took on a lovely fresh twist.
- Spice level: Add a pinch of chili flakes if you like a little heat; it adds surprise warmth without overpowering the flavors.
- Vegetable add-ins: Occasionally I’ll include carrots or parsnips with the potatoes for a sweeter roast vegetable medley.
- Marinade adjustments: Swap honey for maple syrup if you want a slightly different sweetness or use wholegrain mustard for extra texture.
How to Make Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade and Lamb
Start by blending the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, onion, fresh rosemary, honey, and mustard into a smooth marinade. Use a food processor or a hand blender to get a nice, velvety texture. While that’s happening, score your leg of lamb and insert the sliced garlic cloves into the cuts. This little trick infuses the meat beautifully and prevents strong raw garlic bites.
Step 2: Marinate Overnight (If You Can)
Pop the lamb and marinade into a large zip-lock bag or covered dish and refrigerate overnight or at least for a few hours if you’re pressed for time. I promise, this step makes a world of difference – the meat soaks up all those lemony, herbaceous flavors and becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Step 3: Prep Your Potatoes and Roasting Dish
About an hour before you want to cook, preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F). Add the lemon peel strips into the bottom of a large roasting pan along with the chicken stock—you’ll get a wonderfully fragrant liquid to keep things moist. Toss the quartered potatoes with a bit of salt, pepper, oregano, and a drizzle of olive oil, then arrange them around the pan.
Step 4: Slow Roast the Lamb
Place the marinated lamb on top of the potatoes and pour any leftover marinade over the whole dish. Cover tightly with foil and roast low and slow for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. This gentle heat is the key to tender, juicy lamb. Check once or twice to make sure the potatoes aren’t drying out—if they look dry, add a touch more stock or a splash of water.
Step 5: Finish With a Golden Crust
Remove the foil during the last 30 minutes of cooking to let the lamb and potatoes brown beautifully. If you like the potatoes crispier, you can turn on the grill for just a few minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. That caramelized finish is what gets everyone excited at the table.
How to Serve Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe

Garnishes
I always sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or oregano on top before serving for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I squeeze a little extra lemon juice right before plating—it brightens the whole dish and makes those slow-roasted flavors sing even more.
Side Dishes
To complement this Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe, I like to serve a simple Greek salad tossed with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese. A side of tzatziki adds a cool, creamy contrast that balances the warm, savory lamb and potatoes perfectly. Sometimes I add roasted or grilled vegetables for extra variety.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I like to carve the lamb onto a large wooden board surrounded by those gorgeous golden potatoes, then garnish with whole roasted garlic bulbs and fresh rosemary sprigs. It feels festive and rustic, plus it invites everyone to dig in family-style, which is half the fun!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The lamb actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have settled. Just make sure to keep the potatoes and lamb together so they soak up those lovely juices.
Freezing
If you want to freeze, separate the lamb and potatoes into freezer-safe containers or bags. I’ve found it freezes well for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight slowly in the frige before reheating to keep the texture intact.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the oven at 160°C (320°F) wrapped loosely in foil, which keeps the lamb moist. Warm the potatoes alongside or separately in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil to refresh their crispiness. Microwaving works in a pinch but can dry things out, so I avoid it where possible.
FAQs
-
Can I use a different cut of lamb for this Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe?
Absolutely! While a leg of lamb is preferred for its size and tenderness when slow-roasted, shoulder or even a boneless leg can work well too. Just remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly—shoulder can take a bit longer due to extra connective tissue.
-
What can I do if I don’t have fresh rosemary?
No worries if you don’t have fresh rosemary! Dried rosemary will still impart good flavor—use about a third of the amount fresh would require. Alternatively, thyme or oregano make great substitutes and keep the Mediterranean vibe going strong.
- How do I know when the lamb is done?
The lamb should be tender enough to pull apart with a fork after the slow roast time, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours at low heat. If you have a meat thermometer, aim for an internal temperature of around 93°C (200°F) for tender, slow-cooked texture.
- Can I prepare this in a slow cooker?
Yes, a slow cooker is a great alternative! Brown the lamb first if you can, then place lamb, marinade, potatoes, and stock in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until tender. Just keep an eye on moisture levels and add stock if needed.
- What’s the best way to get crispy potatoes with this recipe?
To get crispy edges on your potatoes, remove the foil during the last 30 minutes and finish under the grill for a few minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. You can also toss the potatoes in a little extra olive oil just before this step for extra crispiness.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to dishes whenever I want to impress without fuss. Its rich, tender flavors paired with the bright lemon and sweet honey marinade remind me of cozy family dinners around the table. I hope you give it a try—you’ll love how easy it is to create something so delicious that feels like a special occasion any day of the week.
Print
Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb With Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes plus 4 hours to overnight marinating
- Cook Time: 3.5 to 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes to overnight marinating plus cooking
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Greek
Description
This Slow Roast Greek Lemon Lamb with Potatoes is a tender and flavorful dish that combines succulent leg of lamb with a vibrant lemon marinade and hearty potatoes. Slow roasting allows the lamb to become juicy and fall-apart tender while absorbing the bright, savory flavors of garlic, rosemary, and sweet paprika, making it a perfect centerpiece for a comforting Greek-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Lamb and Vegetables
- 1 leg of lamb, 2-3 kg
- 6 potatoes, quartered
- 3 sweet potatoes, quartered
- 5 garlic cloves, sliced (to insert into lamb)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Oregano, to taste
- Paprika (sweet or smoked), to taste
Marinade
- 100 ml lemon juice (reserve lemon peel for roasting dish)
- 100 ml olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 large onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 1.5 tablespoons honey
- 1.5 tablespoons mustard
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a blender or food processor, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic cloves, onion, fresh rosemary, honey, and mustard. Blend until smooth to create a fragrant marinade that balances citrus, herbaceous, and sweet flavors.
- Marinate the Lamb: With a sharp knife, make small incisions all over the leg of lamb and insert the sliced garlic cloves into these slits. Place the lamb in a large bowl or dish and pour the marinade over it, ensuring it is covered thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow deep flavor infusion.
- Prepare for Roasting: Preheat your oven to 140°C (275°F) for slow roasting. In a roasting dish, spread the reserved lemon peels to create a bed that will infuse aromatic flavors. Arrange the quartered potatoes and sweet potatoes around the dish.
- Season the Lamb and Potatoes: Remove the lamb from the marinade (reserving the marinade). Season the lamb generously with salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika. Place the lamb on top of the lemon peels in the roasting dish and scatter the seasoned potatoes around it.
- Add Stock and Roast: Pour the chicken stock and the reserved marinade over the lamb and potatoes. Cover the dish tightly with foil to keep moisture inside and place it in the preheated oven.
- Slow Roast the Lamb: Roast the lamb for 3 to 4 hours, occasionally basting with the pan juices, or until the meat is tender and pulls easily from the bone. Check the potatoes during roasting and turn them for even cooking.
- Final Browning: For a crispy finish, remove the foil in the last 15-20 minutes of roasting and increase the oven temperature to 200°C (390°F) to brown the lamb and potatoes nicely.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the lamb from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. Serve the lamb slices with roasted potatoes, spooning over some of the pan juices for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Marinating the lamb overnight greatly enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- Adjust the seasoning quantities according to taste, especially the paprika and oregano to match your preference.
- If leftover, the lamb can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and tastes great when reheated gently.
- This recipe pairs exceptionally well with a Greek salad or tzatziki sauce for freshness.
Keywords: Greek lamb recipe, slow roast lamb, lemon lamb, roasted potatoes, Greek cuisine, lamb leg recipe, traditional Greek lamb
