Looking to impress your guests? Look no further than lamb. It’s the perfect dinner entrée for spring.
And know this: All lamb in our Meat department is Animal Welfare Certified and meets our farm animal and meat standards including no antibiotics, ever, no added growth hormones and no animal by-products in feed. We also know where our lamb was raised — and we have strong relationships with our farmers and ranchers.
See our lamb standards and suppliers.
First Things First: What Part of Lamb Should I Buy?
Good question! Your butcher can help you pick the best cut, but here’s a quick guide to help get you started with your selection.
Leg of Lamb
Tender and iconic, leg of lamb can be purchased in several iterations, from the full leg to the shank (or lower) end or the sirloin end.
Bone-in leg of lamb will take longer to cook but won’t need to be tied with twine like a semi-boneless leg of lamb (which your butcher will do for you at our stores).
A whole leg (usually about 6 – 8 pounds) should feed at least eight people.
Rack
The lamb rib rack is an impressive cut that grills beautifully but can also be crusted with herbs and roasted.
Frenching the rack (or removing the layer of fat and meat around the rib bones) ups the ante — ask your butcher for help.
Chops
Tender rib chops are cut from the rack and the long rib bone, providing a delicate effect on the plate.
Sirloin chops are tiny T-bone steaks with a generous ratio of meat-to-bone.
Wallet-friendly shoulder chops have a toothsome texture that’s great for braising.
Shoulder
Also called a square-cut shoulder, this cut is great for low and slow roasting, butterflying or for cubing into stew meat.
Top Round
This tender, flavorful cut is a larger piece from the leg.
Use this cut for kabobs, thin steaks or a quick-cooking roast.
Shank
Lamb shanks are stars of the braising world. Cook them low and slow to develop a velvety texture.
What’s the Best Way to Cook Lamb?
Important: Lamb roasts and steaks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. For ground lamb, aim for 160°F or until fully cooked.
Slow Cooking (leg, shank, shoulder roasts, stew meat)
Tougher cuts of lamb render fork-tender stews and braises, but remember to sear meat before starting the slow cooking process to build flavor.
A leg of lamb can be deboned, stuffed and rolled for a more nuanced roast.
Slice roasted lamb for memorable next-day sandwiches and salads.
Quick Cooking (chops, rack, ground lamb)
Lamb’s rich flavor marries well with the smokiness produced by cooking over an open fire.
If grilling a whole lamb rack, cap the cleaned rib bones in aluminum foil to prevent them from burning.
Smaller cuts like rib chops and sliced roast cuts can be fully cooked on the stove top.
For a lamb-infused shortcut, swap ground lamb for all (or half) of the ground beef.
Help — I Need Lamb Ideas!
Take advantage of lamb’s versatility and wake up your spring table with some of our favorite lamb preparations. For a classic recipe with a twist, try our Leg of Lamb with Mint Salsa Verde. Looking for more ideas? Try these:
Yogurt-Marinated Lamb Kabobs. Tenderize 1-inch cubes of lamb with an overnight marinade of whole milk yogurt, crushed garlic, lemon juice and mint. Yogurt will keep the lamb juicy and ready for a smoky grill or a hot grill pan indoors — just remove excess marinade before skewering with scallion pieces and cubed zucchini — and serve with a squeeze of lemon, flaky salt and black pepper.
Fragrant Garlic and Herb Chops. Fresh herbs — mint, thyme and basil — can work to flavor the lamb before cooking or join in later in a side dish. Turn these into a seasoning paste using garlic, lemon juice and paprika for lamb shoulder chops bound for the grill. Serve with a feta chopped salad and herb vinaigrette.
Za’atar-Rubbed Leg of Lamb. Use the tip of a sharp paring knife to make 1-inch deep slits all over a leg of lamb and stuff each with a piece of fresh rosemary and ½ clove of garlic. Rub with olive oil or melted butter and za’atar — a Mediterranean blend of sumac, thyme, sesame and salt — and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting.
What Do I Serve with Lamb?
Lamb has a rich, meaty flavor, so you want the right sides to balance out your meal. A potato or sweet potato dish is a must, like our Orange Mashed Sweet Potatoes. Don’t forget something green, like Spinach and Strawberry Salad or Oven-Roasted Asparagus opens in a new tab.
For something sweet, keep things easy and pick up a Berry Chantilly Cake from our Bakery. Just drop by your store or reserve online for in-store pickup on your schedule.
