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St. Patrick’s Day Spiced Leg of Lamb with Herb Butter

March 3, 2026

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day outdoors with St. Patrick’s Day Spiced Leg of Lamb with Herb Butter, a recipe that brings bold flavor and fresh air together in one memorable meal. St. Patrick’s Day is about gathering, sharing stories, and setting a table that feels generous. A beautifully seasoned leg of lamb, slow-roasted over steady heat, captures that spirit while filling the patio with inviting aroma.

Outdoor cooking turns a traditional holiday entrée into something more engaging. Guests gravitate toward the grill, conversations linger longer, and the entire experience feels open and connected. A savory spice crust forms as the lamb cooks, locking in juices and building rich character. Just before serving, a simple herb butter melts across the surface, adding brightness that balances the depth of the roast.

Pair this dish with roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, or rustic bread, and you have a centerpiece worthy of the occasion. Set the table beneath open skies or gather around a fire feature as the evening settles in. Well-designed hardscape makes hosting easier, keeping cooking, dining, and seating areas flowing together without interruption. Surfaces built with paver-shield™ technology maintain their color and integrity season after season, so your celebration space looks as good as the meal tastes.

St. Patrick’s Day offers the perfect reason to step outside and make the most of your backyard. Fire up the grill, invite friends over, and let the setting work as hard as the recipe.

Ready to upgrade your outdoor spaces? Nicolock Paving Stones has everything from pavers to fireplaces for outdoor living at its best. Whether you need a new grill or an outdoor kitchen refresh, explore our outdoor dining products and browse more recipes to try.

Serves 8

St. Patrick’s Day Spiced Leg of Lamb with Herb Butter Ingredients

  • 1 boneless leg of lamb, butterflied and trimmed of excess fat

Herb Butter

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground

Marinade

  • ⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup fresh Italian parsley leaves, finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup lemon juice
  • 1½ tbsp kosher salt
  • 1½ tbsp paprika
  • 2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1½ tbsp ground cumin
  • 1½ tbsp ground ginger
  • 1½ tbsp ground turmeric

St. Patrick’s Day Spiced Leg of Lamb with Herb Butter Directions

  1. Combine the butter ingredients. Set aside.
  2. Whisk the marinade ingredients. Reserve and set aside half of the marinade for basting the lamb on the grill. Pour the remaining marinade into a large, resealable plastic bag.
  3. Place the lamb inside the bag, press out the air, and seal it tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade, place it in a bowl, and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, turning occasionally.
  4. Remove the lamb from the bag and discard the marinade. Allow the lamb to stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before grilling.
  5. Prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F).
  6. Grill the lamb, fat side down, over direct medium heat, with the lid closed, until nicely marked, 10 to 12 minutes.
  7. Turn the lamb over and grill for 5 minutes more, basting the lamb with the reserved marinade.
  8. Then move the lamb over indirect medium heat and grill, fat side up, with the lid closed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the lamb registers 125° to 130°F for medium-rare, 20 to 30 minutes more, occasionally basting with the reserved marinade. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
  9. Cut the lamb across the grain into thin slices. Melt the herb butter, and then drizzle it over the lamb. Serve right away.

Taken from americanmadegrills.com