Lamb Marinade
Olive oil, lemon, garlic, rosemary, cumin and pomegranate molasses whisked into a fragrant marinade for lamb. Six servings in 5 minutes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days before the lamb goes in.
Lamb Marinade: The Method
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Beat the oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, cumin, molasses, salt and pepper together in a small bowl.
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Smear the marinade over every side of the lamb, pressing it into any cuts, then cover and chill.
A Few Pointers
- Rub the marinade in by hand.
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Bring the meat to room temperature before cooking.
- Swap molasses for honey if needed.
Some Background
Lamb has strong flavour of its own, and the marinade should support it, not drown it. Garlic, rosemary and cumin are the old companions, and lemon cuts through the richness.
Pomegranate molasses gives the marinade a sweet, tart depth and helps the surface brown. If you cannot find it, use a spoon of honey and a squeeze more lemon.
Mix the marinade in a bowl and stir until the oil and lemon come together. Rub it into the meat with your hands, working it into any cuts and crevices, since a surface coating alone gives less flavour.
Leave chops or kebabs in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for a stronger taste. The amounts below suit about 1 kg of lamb. Bring the meat out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. A spoon of yoghurt in the mix gives a softer, more tender result for tougher cuts such as leg steaks and shoulder.
Serving Ideas
Lamb chops · Lamb kebabs · Roast leg of lamb · Flatbreads
Common Substitutions & Variations
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
Questions About Lamb Marinade
How long does Lamb Marinade take to make?
About 5 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and of cooking. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Lamb Marinade?
Rub the marinade in by hand. Marinate for at least 30 minutes. Bring the meat to room temperature before cooking. Swap molasses for honey if needed.
What should I serve with Lamb Marinade?
Lamb chops; Lamb kebabs; Roast leg of lamb; Flatbreads.
How should Lamb Marinade be stored?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days before the lamb goes in.
Is Lamb Marinade suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb and keto. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
Lamb Marinade Nutrition Facts
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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