Elegant Spring Lamb Dinner Ideas Perfect for Special Nights

Spring is a time for renewal and celebration, and what better way to mark the season than with a delicious lamb dinner? Whether you’re looking to impress your loved ones or simply treat yourself to a special occasion meal, lamb is the perfect choice. Its rich, gamey flavor and tender texture make it the centerpiece of any elegant dinner.

From classic rack of lamb to hearty stews and braises, there are countless ways to prepare lamb for a special night in. And with the arrival of spring, fresh herbs and vegetables are bursting with flavor and color, adding a pop of vibrancy to any dish. In this article, we’ll explore 7 elegant spring lamb dinner ideas that are sure to impress.

Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb

The Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb is a timeless classic that exudes elegance and sophistication. This recipe involves a rack of lamb that’s been seasoned with a mixture of chopped fresh herbs – such as parsley, thyme, and rosemary – before being coated in a buttery breadcrumb crust. The result is a dish that’s both flavorful and visually stunning.

Ingredients

* 1 rack of lamb (6-8 bones)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup breadcrumbs
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instruction

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and garlic. Coat the rack of lamb evenly with this mixture, then press the breadcrumbs gently onto the meat. Dot the top with butter and season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes per pound, or until cooked to your liking.

Garlic Rosemary Lamb Chops

The Garlic Rosemary Lamb Chops are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for a special night in. This recipe involves marinated lamb chops that are then grilled to perfection and served with a side of roasted rosemary and garlic.

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 pounds lamb chops (1 1/2 inches thick)
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instruction

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Brush the mixture evenly onto the lamb chops, then grill for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking.

Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb

The Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb is a hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for a special occasion. This recipe involves a leg of lamb that’s been slow-cooked in the oven with a mixture of aromatics and herbs, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

* 1 leg of lamb (2-3 pounds)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
* 1 onion, peeled and chopped
* 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
* 1 cup lamb broth
* 1 cup red wine

Instruction

Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Rub this mixture evenly onto the leg of lamb, then place in a large Dutch oven. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and potato, then pour in lamb broth and red wine. Cover the pot and braise for 3-4 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.

Lamb & Spring Vegetable Stew

The Lamb & Spring Vegetable Stew is a hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for a special occasion. This recipe involves a mixture of lamb, spring vegetables, and aromatic herbs that are slow-cooked in a rich and flavorful broth.

Ingredients

* 1 pound lamb shoulder or shanks, cut into 2-inch pieces
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
* 1 onion, peeled and chopped
* 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
* 1 cup lamb broth
* 1 cup red wine
* 1 cup spring vegetables (such as peas, asparagus, and onions)

Instruction

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lamb and cook until browned on all sides, then remove from pot and set aside. Add garlic, thyme, and rosemary to pot and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the onion, carrot, and potato and cook until the vegetables are tender. Add the lamb broth, red wine, and lamb, then stir in spring vegetables. Cover the pot and braise for 1-2 hours, or until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

Greek Style Lamb with Lemon Potatoes

The Greek Style Lamb with Lemon Potatoes is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for a special night in. This recipe involves lamb that’s been seasoned with a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, then served with a side of roasted lemon potatoes.

Ingredients

* 1 pound lamb shoulder or shanks, cut into 2-inch pieces
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
* 1 onion, peeled and chopped
* 2 cups lemon potatoes (such as Yukon gold or red potatoes)
* Salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the lamb and cook until browned on all sides, then remove from pot and set aside. Add garlic and lemon juice to pot and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the oregano and onion to pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the onion is tender. Return the lamb to pot and cook until heated through. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the lemon potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until tender.

Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki

The Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for a special occasion. This recipe involves meatballs that are made with a mixture of lamb, breadcrumbs, and herbs, then served with a side of creamy tzatziki sauce.

Ingredients

* 1 pound lamb shoulder or shanks, finely chopped
* 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Tzatziki sauce (see below for recipe)

Instruction

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, mix together lamb, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, dill, and egg. Form into meatballs and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through. Meanwhile, prepare tzatziki sauce (see below).

Tzatziki Sauce:
* 1 cup Greek yogurt
* 1/2 cup diced cucumber
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* Salt and pepper to taste

Braised Lamb Shanks

The Braised Lamb Shanks are a hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for a special occasion. This recipe involves lamb shanks that are slow-cooked in a rich and flavorful broth, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

* 4 lamb shanks
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
* 1 onion, peeled and chopped
* 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
* 1 cup lamb broth
* 1 cup red wine

Instruction

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lamb shanks and cook until browned on all sides, then remove from pot and set aside. Add garlic, thyme, and rosemary to pot and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the onion, carrot, and potato and cook until the vegetables are tender. Add the lamb broth and red wine to pot, then return the lamb shanks to pot. Cover the pot and braise for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.