Roasted Rack of Lamb (2024)

This Garlic and Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb is surprisingly easy and perfect for a holiday dinner. Make this Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb for Easter dinner, or any other special occasion dinner!

Rack of lamb is such an iconic spring dish, perfect for Easter dinner. This recipe is so easy it could be made any night of the week. A simple paste of garlic and herbs adds a pop of flavor to the rich and earthy lamb. This can be partly prepared ahead of time and allowed to marinate in the fridge for several hours or even overnight. Rack of Lamb cooks quickly in the oven, so once you are ready to eat, it won’t take long.

What temperature should rack of lamb be cooked at?

The USDA recommends cooking lamb to 145 degrees for safety. Some people prefer lamb medium rare or rare. I recommend using a meat thermometer to find the internal temperature of lamb. This will give you perfectly cooked lamb every time. I use a Thermapen whenever cooking meat and it is well worth the money.

Cooking Temperatures for Rack of Lamb (Lamb Chops)

• 115-120 degrees F – Rare
• 125 degrees F – Medium Rare
• 130 degrees F – Medium
• 145 degrees F – Medium Well
• 150 degrees F – Well Done

Should you sear lamb before roasting?

Searing lamb will give it a nice, brown crust. In this case, we start the lamb in a hot oven to help it brown, then reduce the temperature to continue to cook without letting it get overdone. This also will save you a step and an extra pan to wash!

how do you keep lamb moist when roasting?

A rack of lamb, or lamb chops, is a smaller piece of meat and can overcook quickly. That leads to dry lamb. The trick to keeping lamb moist is not to overcook it. Here we start in a hot oven, then reduce the heat. This allows the lamb to sear on the outside and then finish cooking at a lower temperature. This helps keep the lamb tender and moist. It is also important to use a meat thermometer so that you know for sure when the meat is perfectly cooked.

How long does lamb take in the oven?

Different cuts of lamb will take different amounts of time. For a rack of lamb, different ovens and sizes will affect the cooking time. This is again why I advise using a meat thermometer to ensure your lamb is perfectly cooked. An average sized rack of lamb will only take 20-30 minutes to cook in the oven.

What sides to serve with Rack of Lamb

These side dishes go well with lamb

• Honey Roasted Carrots
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Roasted Asparagus
• Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• Roasted Carrots and Potatoes
• Mediterranean Orzo Salad
• Cous Cous salad

Adapted from Simply Recipes.