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Grilled Leg of Lamb with Rosemary, Garlic, and Mustard

This grilled leg of lamb with rosemary, garlic and mustard is a sophisticated yet simple way to enjoy a classic roasting joint. By butterflying the meat, you create more surface area for the savoury marinade of whole grain mustard, citrus and fresh herbs to penetrate, resulting in a deeply flavoured and tender finish. It is an ideal centrepiece for outdoor celebrations or a refined Sunday lunch, offering a lighter alternative to traditional heavy gravies.

As a diabetes-friendly main course, this dish is naturally high in protein and rich in healthy fats from the extra-virgin olive oil. Pairing the succulent lamb with a crisp green salad or roasted Mediterranean vegetables keeps the meal balanced and nutritious. For the best results, allow the meat to rest thoroughly before carving to ensure every slice remains juicy and delicious.

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Ingredients for Grilled Leg of Lamb with Rosemary, Garlic, and Mustard

  • 1 well-trimmed 2.7kg boneless leg of lamb, butterflied to even 2-inch thickness

  • 8 garlic cloves, peeled, divided

  • 120ml whole grain Dijon mustard

  • 120ml extra-virgin olive oil

  • 60ml dry white wine

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • Nonstick vegetable oil spray

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs and fresh Italian parsley sprigs

How to make Grilled Leg of Lamb with Rosemary, Garlic, and Mustard

Open lamb like book on work surface. Using tip of small knife, make 1/2-inch-deep slits all over lamb. Thinly slice 4 garlic cloves. Insert garlic slices into slits in lamb. Combine remaining 4 garlic cloves, mustard, olive oil, white wine, rosemary, and lemon juice in processor. Blend until coarse puree forms. Spread underside of lamb with half of puree. Place lamb, seasoned side down, in 15 x 10 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Spread remaining puree over top of lamb. Cover lamb with plastic wrap and chill overnight.

Let lamb stand at room temperature 2 hours. Coat grill rack with nonstick spray and prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Sprinkle lamb generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill lamb to desired doneness, about 17 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer lamb to cutting board; let rest 10 to 20 minutes.

Thinly slice lamb against grain. Overlap slices on platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs.

Syrah would be delicious with the grilled lamb. Mix things up by skipping California and Australian Syrahs and going with an Italian Syrah instead. One to try: the velvety, full-bodied 2006 Villa Pillo Syrah Toscana ($16, Italy).

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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