18 Lamb Recipes for Spring

Whether you stew it, roast it, grill it, or fry it up in a skillet, lamb on the menu makes it feel like a special occasion. Lamb is a celebratory main to share for spring holidays and gatherings, while also working beautifully for weeknight meals. Here are some of my favorite ways to prepare lamb, from slow-cooked braises and stews to quick burgers and meatballs.

Roast Leg of Lamb

This leg of lamb gets the trifecta treatment: a long marinade to boost the flavor, a quick sear to give it flavor, and a slow roast to create super tender bites. It's an impressive main to share at spring gatherings.

Lamb Chops with Rosemary and Garlic

Rub the chops with rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper and quickly sear them on the stovetop for a special, delicate, tender, and juicy dinner on the table in no time.

Lamb Curry

The secret to this curry is to slowly cook it over low heat to tenderize the meat and give the flavors of the spice blend, apples, and raisins time to marry.

Classic Rack of Lamb

Deeply juicy, crispy on the outside, tender and pink on the inside, and oh-so impressive on the dinner table.

Kabuli Palao (Afghan Lamb Shanks with Rice, Carrots, and Raisins)

"[Chef Khadija Hemmati] taught me how to make kabuli palao, a traditional Afghan dish of tender spiced lamb served alongside rice bejeweled with almonds, pistachios, carrots, and sultanas. Each component is prepared and cooked separately, and then beautifully layered right before serving." —Myo Quinn, Contributor

Spring Lamb Stew

This stew cooks low and slow with spring onions, peas, and new potatoes, which soak up the flavorful broth they swim in.

Lamb Loin Chops with Mint Chimichurri

Ready in under 30 minutes! Tender lamb loin chops are quickly seared just until golden brown on the outside and perfectly pink on the inside then topped with a quick chimichurri.

Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb

A butterflied leg of lamb has the bone removed so it cooks evenly and a little faster. Serve with mint jelly, or try mint chimichurri or horseradish sauce.

Spiced Lamb Meatloaf

This spin on classic meatloaf uses a combination of ground lamb and ground beef that's jazzed up with Moroccan-inspired flavors of cinnamon, cumin, paprika, coriander, and cayenne. The meatloaf is then topped with a sweet-tangy glaze made with pomegranate molasses and chipotle chile powder.

Braised Lamb Shanks

Braising naturally tough lamb shanks low and slow makes the meat fall-off-the-bone tender.

Irish Lamb Stew with Bacon

This recipe had me at “bacon fat.” Chunks of lamb shoulder are browned in bacon fat before simmering for hours with more bacon, potatoes, carrots, turnips, and thyme.

Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

Lamb burgers spiked with Greek-inspired flavors like garlic, lemon, and oregano and slathered with bright and tangy homemade tzatziki.

Spicy Lamb Stew

Warm spices like cardamom, hot paprika, and cumin intensify the lamb's flavors while the tomatoes create an almost drinkable sauce that soaks into fluffy couscous for the perfect bite.

Lamb Korma

This korma is deliciously brothy and seasoned with warm spices like cloves, peppercorns, cardamom, coriander seeds, and cumin. Make sure to sop up the sauce with flatbread.

Greek Meatballs

You can make these lamb meatballs flavored with orange zest, mint, and garlic ahead of time and reheat right before serving. Add a swipe of tangy Greek yogurt for dipping!

Basque Lamb Stew

In this stew inspired by Basque flavors, lamb shoulder is slow-cooked in a rich red wine sauce that's spiced with paprika for smokiness and brightened with herbs. Serve with crusty bread for soaking the sauce.

Instant Pot Shepherd's Pie

Make a weeknight-friendly version of tender shepherd's pie topped with fluffy mashed potatoes with the help of your Instant Pot.

Moussaka

This savory Greek casserole is layered with ground lamb, potatoes, eggplant, cheese, and a ton of bold spices, all smothered with a hearty béchamel sauce.