Delicately delicious and tender lamb covered in a gently sweet, flavorful crust - this garlic herb crusted rack of lamb is one special and delicious meal!
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Lamb is certainly one of my favorite meats. In fact, if it wasn't for things like pork belly and bacon, it would be my favorite. Within the cuts of lamb, rack of lamb is almost definitely my favorite cut.
I know that sounds a bit non-committal, it's just now and then a lamb shank recipe (like my braised lamb shanks and lamb rogan josh) will blow me away. But certainly of the quicker cuts to cook, rack of lamb wins hands down. True, it's not the cheapest cut, but it pays for itself in how tasty and tender it is.
Here I have coated it with a garlic and herb crumb crust, with some almond meal and lemon zest, held on with a little honey that all come together to add a deliciously aromatic, slightly sweet topping to an already great dish.
How to make the garlic herb crusted rack of lamb
The crumb mixture is pretty quick to mix together, then it's just a case of scoring the fat on the rack of lamb, rubbing on a bit of honey as 'glue' (that's also lovely taste-wise) and sticking on the crumbs. Then rest it in an oven dish so the crust is at the top and pop it in to roast.
The exact roasting time depends on how pink you like your meat. The crumbs will probably fall off a bit as you cut the lamb, but don't worry, just serve them up and eat them alongside. They're delicious and you don't want to waste them.
If you are cooking for four then a whole rack is typically about enough, if you have plenty of sides. For two, you can often ask your butcher to give you a half rack, in which case halve the topping amount. Cooking time will be a little less with a half rack but not by too much.
What to serve with rack of lamb
You can go for a wide range of sides with the dish, from roast vegetables to mash, or some nice steamed asparagus, beans or broccoli. You probably don't want anything too strong in flavor since the flavors with this lamb are relatively delicate but still distinct.
It might not seem light a typical toddler dish, but my son loved trying little bits of the lamb and the crumbs. Often he struggles eating lamb as he has to work at it a bit more, but this is so tender it almost melts in your mouth and he happily came back for more. As you can imagine I had mixed feelings of being glad he liked it and thinking 'I want some left for me too!'
This is a dish that is a great introduction to lamb if you've not had it before. It's so tender, the crust gives it that slight sweetness and it's not as 'lamby' as some other cuts. I know that sounds a bit odd, but hopefully makes sense. What I'm getting at is it's worth branching out!
This rack of lamb is both easy and thoroughly delicious. It's one to treat yourself with soon.
Try these other lamb recipes:
- Sosaties (South African marinated lamb and apricot skewers)
- One pan braised lamb shoulder chops and vegetables
- Lamb kofte (ground lamb, herb and spice skewers)
- Plus get more mains recipes in the archives.
Garlic herb crusted rack of lamb
Ingredients
- 1 rack of lamb
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or a little more - around 1 slice)
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- ½ lemon zest (ie from ½ lemon)
- 1 teaspoon rosemary finely chopped, around 1 sprig
- 3 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoon almond meal ground almonds
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F/200C.
- Score the fat side of the rack of lamb so that you cut into the fat but not all the way through to the meat.
- In a small bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, crushed garlic, lemon zest, rosemary, parsley and almond meal.
- Rub the honey over the fat side of the lamb, sit it in a roasting dish so the fat side is up and carefully press the crumbs all over the fat. If you have any extra, you can also put some on the side.
- Roast for around 30 mins for pink, or around 10min more to be med-well done. Keep an eye on it as it cooks, covering with foil if the crust becomes too brown.
- Allow the lamb to rest 5-10min before cutting between the bones into cutlets.
Nutrition
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Lesli Schwartz says
I don't know why preparing rack of lamb scares me! You make it look so easy though, so YES, I will definitely be making this recipe. Thank you!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it is something that looks a bit delicate, but really it's a pretty easy cut to prepare. And tasty!
Katie says
Caroline, I love a good rack of lamb. This herb crusted rack of lamb looks OUTRAGEOUS! I can't wait to make it for the hubby soon.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it's a tasty mix that goes really well.
Corina Blum says
The crust on that lamb looks amazing! I have to admit I usually prefer spicy lamb recipes such as curries and tagines but this looks so good - I'd love to try it!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I'm a big fan of lamb curries and tagines etc as well (I have a few on the blog!) but I find rack of lamb that more delicate a cut and so a 'gentler' way of serving works so well.
Paula says
Can you prepare the lamb with coating the day before?
Caroline's Cooking says
It's not something I have tried, so it may well be fine, but the crumbs may also fall off (though they can end up doing that anyway, to be fair). Just be sure to refrigerate and cover loosely so you don't knock off the coating.
Mayuri Patel says
The herb crust on the lamb looks amazing. Had passed on my computer for hubby to read the recipe so that he can make lamb chops in a different way then the usual soy sauce marinate he makes.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, hope you enjoy!
Daine Roark says
I have never tried cooking a rack of lamb but have always wanted too. Yours looks really delicious. Thanks for inspiring me.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
found you on Weekend Retreat link party.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks for stopping by, Diane, and for your kind words. I hope you give rack of lamb a try, it's so delicious!
Loretta says
How gorgeous, love the crust, and look at all that beautiful pink meant! Love lamb chops myself!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it is definitely one of my favorites and this a very tasty way to enjoy it!
Julie is HostessAtHeart says
The herb crust on your lamb looks amazing and cooked beautifully! Add those wonderful biscuits and that is a meal made in heaven!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Julie, that's very kind!
Hilda says
I am a big lamb fan too. Your dish looks fantastic!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Hilda! It is definitely a great way to enjoy lamb.