Using the recommended time and temperature guidelines will ensure that the meat is cooked to the minimum safe internal temperature, which is critical in preventing food-borne illness that can be caused by undercooked food. Using an accurate meat thermometer is the best way to ensure the proper doneness of lamb.
Whether you are looking for a boneless leg of lamb cooking time or a rack of lamb cooking time, use the following chart as a cooking time and temperature guide for lamb cuts that are cooked in the oven, grilled, or are inserted into an oven bag prior to cooking. See the article, "Doneness of Lamb" for additional information on determining the proper doneness of lamb.
LAMB Cooking Times and Temperatures |
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Lamb Oven Roasted at 325°F |
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Lamb Cut | Weight | Approximate Cooking Time (minutes per pound) | ||
Medium-rare (145°F) | Medium (160°F) | Well Done (170°F) | ||
Whole leg | 5-7 lbs. | 15-20 minutes | 20-25 minutes | 25-30 minutes |
7-9 lbs. | 20-25 minutes | 25-30 minutes | 30-35 minutes | |
Leg (shank half) | 3-4 lbs. | 25-30 minutes | 30-40 minutes | 35-45 minutes |
Leg (sirloin half) | 3-4 lbs. | 25 minutes | 35 minutes | 45 minutes |
Leg roast (boneless) | 4-7 lbs. | 20 minutes | 25 minutes | 30 minutes |
Rib roast or rack (cook at 375°F) |
1 1/2 - 2 1/2 lbs. | 30 minutes | 35 minutes | 40 minutes |
Crown roast (unstuffed cook at 375°F) |
2-3 lbs. | 25 minutes | 30 minutes | 35 minutes |
Shoulder roast | 4-6 lbs. | 20 minutes | 25 minutes | 30 minutes |
Shoulder roast (boneless) | 3 1/2 - 6 lbs. | 35 minutes | 40 minutes | 45 minutes |
Note: Start with meat at refrigerated temperature. Remove the meat from the oven when it reaches 5° to 10°F below the desired doneness; the temperature will continue to rise as the meat stands. |
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Lamb Grilled with High Heat |
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Lamb Cut | Thickness or Weight | Approximate Cooking Time (minutes per side) | ||
Medium-rare (145°F) | Medium (160°F) | Well Done (170°F) | ||
Chops (shoulder, loin, or rib) |
1 inch | 5 minutes | 8 minutes | 10 minutes |
Steaks (sirloin or leg) | 1 inch | 5 minutes | ||
Kabobs | 1 inch cubes | 4 minutes | ||
Patties | 1/2 inch | 3 minutes | ||
Leg (butterflied, cooked with indirect heat) | 4-7 pounds | 40-50 minutes total | ||
Lamb Cooked at 325°F in an Oven Bag |
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Lamb Cut | Total Weight | Approximate Cooking Time (total time) | ||
Regular-Size Oven Bag 10"x 16" |
Large-Size Oven Bag 14"x 20" |
Turkey-Size Oven Bag 19"x 23 1/2" |
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Leg of lamb (bone-in) | 8-10 lbs. | 2 - 2 1/2 hours | ||
Leg of lamb (boneless) | 7-8 lbs. | 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 hours | ||
Leg roast (rolled, boneless) | 2-4 lbs. | 1 - 1 1/2 hours | ||
4-5 lbs. | 1 1/2 - 2 hours | |||
Leg roast (half, bone-in) | 3-5 lbs. | 1 - 1 1/2 hours | ||
Oven Bag Instructions: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Add 1 tablespoon flour to the oven bag and distribute evenly on the inside of the bag prior to inserting the lamb. Remove the lamb from the oven when the meat thermometer reaches 150°F or when the meat is fork tender. If using a turkey-size oven bag for a lamb cut smaller than 12 lbs., gather the oven bag loosely around the lamb meat allowing room for heat circulation; then close the bag with a nylon tie, and cut away any excess oven bag. |