Best Lamb Salsa Recipes

MOROCCAN-SPICED LAMB BURGERS WITH BEET, RED ONION, AND ORANGE SALSA

Steps:

• For salsa:
• Whisk first 3 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Mix in next 4 ingredients. Season salsa to taste with salt and pepper.
• Do ahead: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• For burgers:
• Stir shallot, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, and cumin in large bowl to blend. Add lamb and mix gently to combine. Shape mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Arrange on small baking sheet.
• Do ahead: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• Spray grill rack with nonstick spray and prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill buns, cut side down, until golden, about 2 minutes; transfer to work surface. Place lettuce and large spoonful of salsa on each bun bottom. Grill burgers until slightly charred and cooked to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Place 1 burger on each bun. Top each with mayonnaise and bun top. Serve with remaining salsa.

BUTTERFLIED LEG OF LAMB WITH LEMON SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Pat lamb dry with paper towels and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Season all over with salt and pepper.
• Set aside 1 teaspoon of the garlic. In a bowl, combine remaining garlic with thyme, oregano or marjoram, cumin, chile, lemon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Drizzle in about 1 tablespoon oil, just enough to create a sandy paste. Rub mixture all over lamb. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate for at least 1 hour or, even better, overnight in the refrigerator.
• Prepare the salsa verde: In a small bowl, combine a pinch of salt, the remaining teaspoon garlic, remaining 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice, 3 tablespoons preserved lemon, parsley, cilantro, mint and scallion and stir well. Drizzle in remaining oil. Season with more preserved lemon, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and mellow.
• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Roast lamb without turning for 22 to 35 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 120 degrees for rare and 130 for medium. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the salsa verde.

GRILLED LAMB WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Stir the first 7 ingredients and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes in a large bowl to blend. Whisk in 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Set the salsa verde aside. Place the lamb in a 15 by 10 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Rub the minced garlic, remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes all over lamb. Pour 1/2 cup of salsa verde over the lamb, turning the lamb to coat evenly. Use immediately, or cover the dish and remaining salsa verde separately with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 1 day.
• Spray the grill rack with nonstick spray and prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill the lamb until a meat thermometer inserted into the thicker parts registers 130 degrees F for medium-rare, turning occasionally, about 40 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a work surface and let rest 15 minutes.
• Cut the lamb across grain into thin slices. Arrange the lamb slices on a platter. Serve the remaining salsa verde alongside.

LAMB CHOPS WITH PISTACHIO SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Make the Pistachio Salsa Verde:
• Pulse shallots, garlic, parsley, mint, pistachios, lemon juice, capers, red pepper flakes, and salt in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Scrape into a medium bowl and stir in oil.
• Cook the lamb chops:
• Season lamb chops with salt and pepper; allow to come to room temperature.
• Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium-high heat. Grill chops, working in batches if needed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the lamb registers 125°F for medium-rare, 2-3 minutes per side. Serve with Pistachio Salsa Verde.
• Do Ahead
• Pistachio Salsa Verde can be stored and chilled in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

GREEK LAMB KABOBS WITH YOGURT-MINT SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Soak the rosemary skewers in water for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together the garlic, thyme, olive oil, sherry vinegar, salt, and pepper in a glass bowl. Toss the lamb pieces in the marinade, and allow to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. After the lamb has marinated, thread onto the rosemary sprigs.
• While the lamb is marinating, prepare the salsa verde by placing the lemon juice, olive oil, yogurt, garlic, salt, mint, oregano, parsley, capers, and anchovy filet into the bowl of a blender. Blend until smooth, then pour into a serving dish and set aside.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat.
• Cook the lamb skewers, turning occasionally, until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Serve with salsa verde.

LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT AND PISTACHIO SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• For the salsa verde: In a medium bowl, add the parsley, olive oil, mint, pistachios, capers, lemon juice and salt and stir with a rubber spatula until combined. Set aside to let the flavors marry.
• For the lamb: Meanwhile, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Dry the lamb chops well with a paper towel and season with the salt. Brush the grill with olive oil and grill the chops for 4 minutes on each side for medium rare. Remove to a plate to rest for 10 minutes.
• Drizzle the chops with some of the sauce and serve the remaining sauce alongside.

ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Stir first 10 ingredients in large bowl for salsa verde. Place lamb on work surface, smooth-side down. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper, then garlic. Rub 1/4 cup salsa verde into lamb. Roll up lamb. Using kitchen string, tie lamb every 2-inches to hold together. (Lamb and salsa verde can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill. Let lamb and salsa verde stand at room temperature 1 hour before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Place lamb on rack in roasting pan. Roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of lamb registers 120°F for medium-rare, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Transfer lamb to cutting board; remove kitchen string. Cut crosswise into thin slices. Arrange sliced lamb on platter. Spoon some salsa verde over. Serve lamb, passing remaining salsa alongside.

GRILLED LAMB MEATBALLS WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Meatballs: Working in batches, pulse bread into coarse crumbs in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl, drizzle with milk, and let stand 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, puree onion and garlic in processor until smooth. Add egg white, salt, and pepper; pulse to combine. Stir onion mixture into breadcrumbs. Add lamb and pork; gently mix until just combined. With dampened hands, form mixture into 1-inch-diameter balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 1 day. (Or freeze until firm, then transfer to resealable plastic bags and freeze up to 1 month; thaw overnight in refrigerator.)
• Preheat grill for direct heat. Thread 2 meatballs onto each skewer and brush with oil. Grill meatballs, turning a few times, until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Salsa verde: Stir together lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper flakes in a bowl until salt is dissolved. Puree lemon mixture with herbs and oil in processor until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 1 day; dollop onto warm meatballs.

LAMB CHOPS WITH ASIAN PEAR AND KIWI SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Brush chops lightly on both sides with remaining 1 tablespoon honey; sprinkle with salt, pepper and remaining 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint. Broil chops until cooked to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Combine pears, kiwis, cranberries, onions and lemon juice in medium bowl; mix in 2 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons chopped mint. Season salsa to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand 30 minutes, tossing occasionally.
• Transfer 2 lamb chops to each plate. Spoon salsa alongside and serve.

LAMB CHOPS WITH RED PEPPER & MINT SALSA

Steps:

• Season the chops all over with salt and pepper. Make a slit between the bone and meat in each chop, then push a sliver of garlic and small sprig of rosemary into each.
• For the salsa, put the peppers in a mini chopper or food processor with the garlic, chilli, mint and lemon. Blitz until finely chopped, but not puréed. Add the oil and blitz briefly to mix. Tip into a bowl and leave at room temperature until serving time.
• Grill or barbecue the chops for 5-7 mins each side until brown, then serve on a platter with the salsa (stir before serving).

MARINATED LAMB CUTLETS WITH KIWI SALSA

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, pulse the one Kiwifruit, yogurt and garlic until pureed but the seeds are not broken.
• Place the cutlets into a large bowl.
• Pour the marinade over and stir, until all the meat surfaces are covered.
• Refrigerate for 2 hours, turning the meat occasionally.
• Combine the salsa ingredients together in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Preheat a grill.
• Brush excess marinade from marinated chops. Cook the chops for 2-3 minutes on each side, until just cooked.
• Serve with the salsa.

TARRAGON-MARINATED LAMB CHOPS WITH PINEAPPLE PECAN SALSA

Steps:

• Salsa: Makes 2 - 2 1/2 cups.
• Combine the pineapple, onion, vinegar, olive oil and herbs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Just before serving, fold in the toasted pecans.
• May be refrigerated (without the pecans), covered for 1 day.
• Serve at room temperature.
• Lamb chops:.
• Combine olive oil, tarragon and garlic in a large shallow baking dish.
• Add the lamb chops and turn to coat very well.
• Refrigerate, covered for about 2 - 4 hours.
• Preheat your grill to medium high.
• Remove the chops from the marinade, shaking off excess. Discard the used marinade.
• Season the chops on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Grill the lamb chops until medium doneness, about 3-4 minutes per side.
• Place on a serving platter and serve the pineapple pecan salsa alongside.

FENNEL-RUBBED LEG OF LAMB WITH CARROTS AND SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Lamb:
• Season lamb generously with salt and pepper; let it sit out at room temperature while you prepare the rub.
• Using spice mill or mortar and pestle, coarsely grind fennel seeds and red pepper flakes. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in garlic and 3 Tbsp. oil. Evenly rub lamb all over with spice mixture, making sure to work it into every nook and cranny.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a large heavy skillet over medium. As soon as oil is hot and shimmering, add lamb to skillet and cook, carefully pouring off fat as needed into a small bowl (reserve it), until golden brown all over, 3-5 minutes per side. The goal here is to cook out some of the excess fat while you brown the meat, so it's important to maintain a moderate heat to keep the meat from getting dark before the fat can melt out. If the oil looks really dark or tastes burned, discard it and use olive oil in the next step.
• Trim tops from carrots and set aside for making the salsa verde. Scrub carrots, pat dry, and scatter along the outer edges of a large rimmed baking sheet. Place seared lamb in the center. Pour reserved fat and any fat still in skillet (don't forget to scrape out the crispy bits stuck to the bottom of the pan) over carrots, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
• Roast lamb and carrots until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of leg registers 135°F for medium-rare, 75-90 minutes. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and tent with foil; let rest 20 minutes. Leave oven on.
• Salsa Verde and assembly:
• While the lamb is resting, transfer carrots to a platter, then carefully pour any juices from the baking sheet into a small bowl (you should have about 1/4 cup; if you don't, top off with olive oil). Transfer carrots back to baking sheet and pop back into oven. Roast 5 minutes to reheat.
• Meanwhile, finely chop reserved carrot tops to make 1/2 cup; discard remaining tops. Place in a small bowl and mix in parsley, chives, lemon juice, pan juices, and 2 Tbsp. oil. Season with salt and pepper and more lemon juice if needed.
• Remove twine from lamb and slice about 1/2" thick (but you can really go as thick or thin as you would like). Arrange on a platter and serve with warm roasted carrots and salsa verde alongside.

SLOW-GRILLED LEG OF LAMB WITH MINT YOGURT AND SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Mint Yogurt:
• Mix garlic, yogurt, mint, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.
• Do Ahead
• Mint yogurt can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Salsa verde:
• Process anchovies, garlic, oil, parsley, mint, capers, and lemon juice in a food processor until herbs are finely chopped; season with salt and pepper.
• Do Ahead
• Salsa verde can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Lamb:
• Prepare grill for medium-high, indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off).
• Blend rosemary, garlic, and 3/4 cup oil in a blender or food processor until rosemary and garlic are finely chopped. Season lamb all over with salt and pepper and smear with rosemary mixture.
• Grill lamb, fat side up, over direct heat, turning often and moving to cooler side of grill as needed to control flareups, until evenly browned all over, 15-20 minutes (lamb and marinade are both very fatty, so monitor closely and move off the grill for a moment if flare-ups get too intense). Position lamb over indirect heat and grill until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of lamb registers 135°, 1 1/2-2 hours. (The leg is composed of several muscle groups; take the temperature in multiple spots for the most accurate reading.)
• Transfer lamb to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Holding bone, thinly slice lamb against the grain, continuing until you reach the bone. Rotate lamb and continue to thinly slice (slice only as much as you are serving.)
• Top lamb with lemons and mint; serve with mint yogurt and salsa verde.
• Do Ahead
• Lamb can be marinated 1 day ahead; chill. Lamb can be grilled 2 hours ahead; hold at room temperature. Grill over high to reheat, about 4 minutes, before slicing and finishing as directed above.

LAMB WITH MINT SALSA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the oil, garlic and seasonings. Rub over lamb. Place in a roasting pan; cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. In a bowl, combine the salsa ingredients; cover and refrigerate until serving., Bake lamb, uncovered, at 425° until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°), 20-30 minutes. Cover loosely with foil and let stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve with mint salsa.

ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH POMEGRANATE, CUCUMBER AND MINT SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Mince garlic. Put lamb on a rack in a roasting pan and in small bowl stir together garlic, rosemary, mint, and oil. Rub mixture onto lamb and season with salt and pepper. Roast lamb in middle of oven 1 1/2 hours, or until a meat thermometer registers 145°F for medium-rare. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and let stand, covered loosely with foil, 10 minutes.
• Make salsa while lamb is standing:
• Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over moderate heat until golden. Seed cucumber and cut into 1/4-inch dice. In a bowl whisk together jelly, vinegar, and oil until jelly is broken up into tiny pieces and add remaining salsa ingredients, tossing. Season salsa with salt and pepper. (Do not make salsa ahead or it will become watery.)
• Thinly slice lamb across grain and arrange on a platter. Top lamb with some salsa and serve remaining salsa on the side.

LAMB CHOPS WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA

Steps:

• Prepare and heat barbecue.
• Trim chops of excess fat and sinew.
• Brush chops with oil and season with pepper.
• Salsa--------.
• Peel onion and chop finely.
• Slit open chilli, scrape out seeds, chop finely.
• Combine pineapple, onion and chilli in medium bowl; mix lightly.
• Add vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and mint; mix well.
• Place chops on lightly greased barbecue grill.
• Cook 4-5 minutes each side, turning once, cook until just tender.
• Serve with the salsa.

APRICOT-SMOKED CHILE GLAZE LAMB TACOS WITH TOMATO-CUCUMBER SALSA

Steps:

• Heat a gas grill to high.
• For the tomato-cucumber salsa: Combine the tomatoes, serrano chiles, cucumbers and onions in a medium bowl. Add the olive oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Toss in the dill and mint.
• For the lamb: Mix together the apricot preserves, vinegar, chipotle puree and salt and pepper in a small bowl.
• Brush the lamb with canola oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill, covered, until nicely charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip, brush with the apricot glaze, cover and cook until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 125 degrees F for medium rare, another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, brush with more glaze and let rest 10 minutes.
• While the lamb rests, grill the tortillas for a few seconds on each side; keep warm. Slice the lamb into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Brush each tortilla with a little of the glaze, put a few slices of lamb into each, top with the salsa and serve immediately.

TEQUILA SUNRISE LAMB CHOPS WITH MANGO SALSA

Steps:

• Mix dressing mix, 1/2 cup oil, vinegar, tomato juice, tequila, 1/4 cup honey, worcestershire sauce and red pepper until blended. Pour 3/4 cup over chops in shallow dish; turn over to evenly coat. Refrigerate remaining dressing mixture for later use. Refrigerate chops 2 hours to marinate.
• Meanwhile, combine remaining honey, remaining oil, mangos, pineapples, onions and jalapeño peppers. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Heat grill to medium heat. Remove chops from marinade; discard marinade. Grill chops 8 to 10 min. on each side or until done (160°F), brushing occasionally with the reserved dressing mixture. Serve topped with the mango salsa.

GRILLED LEG OF LAMB WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Put the lamb in a large roasting pan and pat dry with paper towels.
• In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper and mix well. Using your hands, rub the paste all over the lamb. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, for at least 6 hours or, even better, overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor gas grill until very hot. Rub the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking. Put the lamb on the grill, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, and close the cover. Grill the lamb, turning periodically, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the lamb registers about 135°F (be careful that the thermometer does not touch the bone), about 1 1/4 hours. Transfer the lamb to a cutting board and allow to rest for 10 minutes before carving. The internal temperature will continue to rise 5 to 10 degrees.
• Right before serving, put the lemon halves, cut side down, on the grill and char for 1 minute-you won't believe how much juice you get.
• Carve the lamb and serve drizzled with salsa verde and a lemon half for a good squeeze of lemon juice.
• Salsa Verde
• In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients, mixing well with a spoon.
• A Rainy-Day Method
• Prepare the lamb as above, but roast in a roasting pan in a preheated 325°F oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours for medium-rare.
• Note
• Carving a leg of Lamb
• A leg of lamb is one of simplest roasts to carve. There are no complicated techniques involved and the only tools required are a sharp knife and a cutting board. Hold the leg bone securely with a clean kitchen towel and lift it up slightly so the leg is tilted. Slice the rounded side of the meat into thin pieces until you hit the bone. Turn the leg over so it sits steady on the board and carve the other side in the same manner. To make the most tender slices, always cut across the grain of the meat, which radiates outward from the bone.