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–+ servings

Crown Roast of Lamb

An impressive crown roast of tender lamb marinated in garlic and herbs.
Just like the rib roast on a steer, the lamb rack is a primal or major cut located along the back between the shoulders and the loin. For this recipe, I will require two racks that are as closely matched as possible — cut from the very same animal would be best (ask your butcher), if it’s an option.
This recipe first appeared on Season 11 of Good Eats.
Crown roast of lamb on a butcher block cutting board with butcher's twine.
ACTIVE TIME: 45 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Software

  • 2 (1- to 1 1/2-pound) racks of lamb, 6 to 8 ribs each, frenched
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 4 cups cooked stuffing of your choice, I like rice pilaf

Specialized Hardware

Procedure

  • Heat oven to 375ºF.
  • Bend each rack into a semicircle (meat side in, fat side out) and conjoin by tying together the ends with kitchen twine. The rib ends should be pushed outward to create the look of a crown.
  • Rub the lamb with the oil. Combine the salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, and coriander, and press the mixture all over the lamb. Place the roast in a Bundt pan with the center of the pan coming up through the middle of the roast.
  • Roast on the middle rack of the oven until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 130ºF, 30 to 35 minutes, or 8 to 12 minutes per pound. Remove from the oven, transfer the roast to a cooling rack, cover with aluminum foil, and rest for 20 minutes.
  • While the meat is resting, add the vinegar, mustard, and rosemary to the juices that accumulated in the pan while cooking. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Cut the string away from the roast and place cooked stuffing, rice, or barley in the center, if desired. Serve the warm sauce with the roast.