Grilled Leg of Lamb with Thyme and Allspice

Grilled Leg of Lamb with Thyme and Allspice
Grilled Leg of Lamb with Thyme and Allspice
You can't beat the drama — not to mention the deliciousness — of a bone-in leg of lamb. Since it is a thick cut, a garlic, lemon, and spice paste is rubbed all over it and tucked deep inside to penetrate the meat; slow-cooking over indirect heat results in a crisp, smoke-infused crust and a juicy, medium-rare center.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 8 servings
Citrus Garlic Herb Lamb Marinate Backyard BBQ Grill/Barbecue Gourmet
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 4 large garlic cloves
  • an instant-read thermometer
  • Carbohydrate 1 g(0%)
  • Cholesterol 203 mg(68%)
  • Fat 46 g(71%)
  • Fiber 0 g(1%)
  • Protein 55 g(111%)
  • Saturated Fat 19 g(95%)
  • Sodium 607 mg(25%)
  • Calories 660

Preparation Mince garlic, then mash to a paste with salt. Stir together garlic paste, oil, lemon zest and juice, thyme, pepper, and allspice. Put lamb, fat side up, in a large ceramic or glass dish. Using a paring knife, make 1 1/2-inch-long slits (about 2 inches deep) 2 inches apart all over leg. Reserve 1 teaspoon thyme mixture and push remainder into slits, then rub all over with reserved teaspoon of mixture. Marinate lamb, covered and chilled, 12 hours. Let lamb stand at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling. Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (high heat for gas). If using a gas grill, preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then turn off all burners except burner closest to you. Oil grill rack, then grill lamb over area with no coals (or over turned-off burner or burners), covered, without turning, until thermometer inserted into thickest part of roast (almost to the bone but not touching it) registers 125°F for medium-rare, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours (temperatures in thinner parts of leg may register up to 160°F). To maintain medium-hot charcoal, add more charcoal (about 2 cups) every 15 minutes. Let lamb stand on a cutting board, uncovered, 30 minutes. Cooks' note:If you aren't able to grill outdoors, lamb can be roasted on a rack set in a large (17- by 11-inch) roasting pan in a 375°F oven, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

Preparation Mince garlic, then mash to a paste with salt. Stir together garlic paste, oil, lemon zest and juice, thyme, pepper, and allspice. Put lamb, fat side up, in a large ceramic or glass dish. Using a paring knife, make 1 1/2-inch-long slits (about 2 inches deep) 2 inches apart all over leg. Reserve 1 teaspoon thyme mixture and push remainder into slits, then rub all over with reserved teaspoon of mixture. Marinate lamb, covered and chilled, 12 hours. Let lamb stand at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling. Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (high heat for gas). If using a gas grill, preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then turn off all burners except burner closest to you. Oil grill rack, then grill lamb over area with no coals (or over turned-off burner or burners), covered, without turning, until thermometer inserted into thickest part of roast (almost to the bone but not touching it) registers 125°F for medium-rare, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours (temperatures in thinner parts of leg may register up to 160°F). To maintain medium-hot charcoal, add more charcoal (about 2 cups) every 15 minutes. Let lamb stand on a cutting board, uncovered, 30 minutes. Cooks' note:If you aren't able to grill outdoors, lamb can be roasted on a rack set in a large (17- by 11-inch) roasting pan in a 375°F oven, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.