Which herbs go well with lamb?

Helen Salter

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Discover which herbs pair best with lamb in a variety of dishes – including rosemary, mint, oregano and thyme.

Wondering what herbs go with lamb? Lamb has a rich, earthy and slightly gamey taste. It's a mild-flavoured meat, so it pairs well with most herbs, and these help balance the fattiness of the meat. Its tender and delicate texture also means it will absorb herbs and marinades more quickly than tougher cuts of meat.

Lamb can be enjoyed as an impressive Easter centrepiece, as well as a midweek meal such as shepherd's pie, lamb koftas and moussaka. It's available all year round, so it can work in a myriad of seasonal dishes.

Lamb's flavour and texture lend well to certain herb pairings, such as rosemary, mint, oregano and thyme. These herbs can be added to the lamb in different ways, for example as a rub, marinade, in sauces, in butters or just straight as garnishes.

Looking for more ways to cook with lamb? See our lamb recipes, slow cooker lamb recipes and barbecue lamb recipes for inspiration.

Which herbs are best for pairing with lamb?

Platter of lamb leg on a bed of carrots

Classically, lamb pairs well with the following herbs:

Rosemary: Rosemary and lamb is a classic pairing, with rosemary's woody flavour complementing lamb's savoury notes
Mint: Often used in Middle Eastern dishes, mint provides bright freshness to offset lamb's richness. Mint sauce is often served alongside lamb
Oregano: Oregano's strong, earthy and slightly spicy notes pair well with lamb, and the pairing is typically seen in Mediterranean-inspired dishes
Thyme: This herb enhances lamb's earthy, savoury flavour, as well as providing aromatic notes
Parsley: Fresh parsley is an excellent herb to serve with lamb, either in a marinade, sauce, rub or dressing
Basil: A key ingredient in many Italian dishes, basil is great as part of a rub, marinade or garnish for lamb
Tarragon: Often used as part of a fresh, tangy sauce, marinade or butter, tarragon's aniseed tones can offer a unique flavour
Cumin: This herb's warm, earthy tones provide a pungent, aromatic boost to dishes
Coriander: Coriander gives an earthy and citrussy boost to lamb, typically in marinades as well as in curries and stews
Marjoram: A more delicate alternative to oregano, marjoram's aromatic and slightly sweet notes pairs well with lamb

What other flavours pair well with lamb?

Roast lamb in a roasting dish along with apricots, tomatoes and shallots

Warm and punchy spices, including paprika, cinnamon and harissa paste are often used to boost lamb's delicate flavour
Garlic is a common flavour pairing for added depth and richness
Lamb can also stand up to sharp and peppery flavours such as mustard powder
Zesty citrus fruits such as orange and lemon are often used to brighten lamb dishes
Red wine is used to add depth and enhance lamb's rich flavours
Tomato-based sauces and roasted tomatoes provide rich savoury flavour
Lamb also benefits from being balanced with a sweet element, such as fruity apricots

Which herbs go with roast lamb?

Roast lamb on a white baking dish with boulangère potatoes

Thyme adds an earthy and aromatic edge to roast lamb. Try it in our slow-cooked lamb with onions & thyme
Oregano pairs wonderfully in Mediterranean-inspired roast lamb recipes, such as our Greek roast lamb
Stuff lamb pockets with a few rosemary leaves before roasting. See how in our garlic & herb roast lamb on boulangère potatoes

Which herbs go with lamb chops?

Lamb chops with thyme, chilli & Greek htipiti served on an oval plate

Use lemon and mint for a hit of freshness in these zesty lamb chops with crushed kidney beans
Lamb chops are left to marinate with thyme, chilli flakes and oil in Diana Henry's lamb chops with thyme, chilli & Greek htipiti
Chopped rosemary leaves are used to marinate lamb chops in this simple Mediterranean-inspired lemon & rosemary lamb traybake

See our lamb chop recipe collection for more ideas.

Which herbs go with lamb stew?

Easy lamb stew in a casserole pot

Bay leaves and rosemary sprigs gives a herbal and woody flavour to this easy lamb stew
Cumin and coriander bring aromatic depth to this slow cooker Moroccan lamb stew
Fenugreek leaves and parsley offer smoky, earthy and slightly peppery notes to this Persian herb, red bean & lamb stew

If you like the sound of these, see more of our casserole and slow cooker ideas.

Which herbs go with lamb shanks?

Lamb shanks served in a white bowl along with chickpeas and carrots

Bay leaves, garlic and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary are used in these braised lamb shanks
Cumin, black pepper and paprika bring spice and depth to these tender lamb shanks with chickpeas & Moroccan spices
Figs, apricots and pomegranate molasses provide sticky sweetness in these succulent spiced lamb shanks

See our collection of lamb shank recipes for more meal inspiration.

See more of our herb pairing guides:

Which herbs go well with pork?

Discover more food and drink pairing ideas:

The best wines to pair with lamb

Find more ways to cook with lamb...

What to do with leftover lamb
Cheap cuts: How to buy lamb
How to cook lamb chops
How to cook lamb
Cheap cuts: How to get the most from meat
30 best Easter dinner ideas

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