The 5 best herbs that accompany lamb

Lamb is an amazing dish, made even better by the introduction of some delicious herbs. There are some really amazing ways to prepare lamb and those methods can vary depending on what you are doing with the lamb.

There are several different types of recipes made with lamb. Lamb can be a bit particular and works best with certain flavors and herbs.

What herbs go best with lamb? Rosemary is the most traditional herb to accompany lamb, as its woody, citrusy aroma pairs well with the bold, robust flavors of lamb. Other herbs that work well with lamb are mint, oregano, and coriander. Garlic also works well for its bright, spicy flavor.

Read on to find out more about the 5 best herbs for lamb and much more.

How to choose the herbs that accompany the lamb

Lamb is not always a common dish in all cultures, but it is an absolutely delicious dish if you know the best ways to prepare it.

It is considered a special dish, since it is not as common or popular as others such as beef, chicken or pork, which we see much more frequently. 

With that in mind, here are some things to keep in mind when choosing the herbs to use with your lamb.

combination of flavors

An important element when choosing herbs is what you are going to prepare. You want to know that the flavors are going to combine to give the lamb a really great taste.

Your goal is to mix in some really good and tasty herbs to complement the lamb without clashing with any of the other flavors present. 

You will find that most of the herbs recommended for use with lamb are woody in nature or have very deep flavors.

cooking method

Keep in mind that the herbs you use may vary depending on what you are preparing.

Depending on the recipe and how the lamb should be cooked, you may need to choose a different herb so as not to damage the lamb during the cooking process.

The 5 Best Herbs for Lamb

Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, let’s take a look at some specific herbs. In the next part of our guide, we’ll share our pick of the 5 best herbs for lamb.

Let’s take a look!

1. rosemary

Rosemary is perhaps one of the most common and popular herbs used with lamb.  You can use rosemary in almost all kinds of lamb dishes, and it’s perfect for lamb chops, rack of lamb, and leg of lamb. 

This particular herb has a woody flavor that is also slightly smoky. That deep, smoky flavor brings out the natural flavors of the meat, but also rounds out a good marinade or sauce to accompany lamb.

Rosemary will bring any lamb dish to life. You can’t go wrong with rosemary and you can use it for any type of lamb dish and get really good results doing it.

You can use fresh rosemary if you have it available. You can also find dried rosemary in the spice section of any grocery store.

2. Mint

Mint is an herb we often forget about with other dishes, but it really is an awesome option for lamb.  Mint has a deep, slightly earthy flavor.

Mint is a great choice for lamb and many people create a mint sauce or even a mint jelly to go with the lamb.  Mint is best used for cuts of meat such as lamb chops, rack of lamb, or leg of lamb.

Mint is mainly used as part of an overall marinade or as an herb within sauces or jellies often served or added to lamb dishes.

Mint has a refreshing taste, so it is different from using rosemary and probably not used at the same time as rosemary.

Roast lamb with mint is one of the most perfect and classic combinations that you can use. You can create a sauce or jelly, or you can also use dried or fresh mint.

3. Oregano

Oregano is an herb that is very similar to rosemary in nature, but has a somewhat fresher flavor and is also somewhat less earthy.

If you compare oregano to rosemary, you might not even be able to tell the difference, but the flavors are slightly different.

Oregano has a fresh aroma and flavor, so it goes very well with lamb.

It can be a great herb to use in a lamb stew or lamb hash where you want to add a little more flavor. It is very distinctive and is often considered a spring herb.

4. Coriander

Cilantro is not an herb that everyone has in their kitchens because it can be strong and specific.

However, coriander is a really great option for lamb. It’s another earthy herb. It is used in dishes like curries and other Middle Eastern cuisines.  Cilantro has a robust flavor, making it bold when paired with lamb. 

Coriander can be used in most lamb dishes, just like the other herbs. We recommend it with any of the basic meat preparations or even with minced lamb.

5. Garlic

Garlic isn’t technically an herb itself, but it can be used as one, and almost everyone has garlic in their pantry. Also, garlic can easily be combined with other herbs and spices.

You can use garlic powder, garlic cloves, or even minced garlic and use it in absolutely every possible lamb dish. 

You can’t go wrong with garlic. It is robust and bright at the same time, and it combines very well with other seasonings, so you can use it in combination with other herbs on this list.

Related questions

We hope you found this guide to the 5 Best Herbs for Lamb a valuable resource with some really great options to try.

Below are some common questions and answers. We invite you to consult them for additional information that could be useful.

What herbs go well with lamb chops?

You can use a few flavor variations for lamb chops, but we love rosemary and garlic for lamb chops.

You get the earthy, smoky flavor of rosemary combined with the spiciness of garlic and you end up with flavorful, flavorful lamb chops.

What herbs go with minced lamb?

The lamb hash should have a very grassy and earthy flavor. With this in mind, you should plan to use one of the earthier herbs when preparing the lamb hash.

We recommend using cilantro, oregano or rosemary. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

What herbs go with lamb stew?

Lamb stew can sometimes be considered bland, but there are a few little things you can do to spice it up.

When making lamb stew, we highly recommend using garlic. You can also perfect the flavors of the stew by adding parsley and thyme.