• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Two Purple Figs
  • Home
  • Recipes
        • By Course
          • Appetizer Recipes
          • Main Dishes
            • Chicken
            • Beef
            • Lamb
            • Pasta
            • Pizza
            • Sandwiches
            • Seafood
          • Side Dishes
          • Soups
          • Salads
          • Breakfast Brunch Recipes
          • Desserts
            • Cakes
            • Cheesecakes
            • Cookies
            • Bars & Brownies
            • Muffins
            • Pies
          • Drinks & Smoothies
        • By Method
          • Videos
          • Quick & Easy
          • Air Fryer Recipes
          • Crock Pot Recipes
          • Instant Pot
          • Finger Food
          • Bread Recipes
          • Dips
        • By LifeStyle
          • Gluten Free
          • Vegetarian
          • Vegan
        • By Cuisine
          • American Recipes
          • Asian Recipes
          • Mediterranean Recipes
          • Mexican Recipes
        • By Occasion
          • Easter
          • Holidays
          • Parties
          • Potluck
          • Tailgate
        • All Recipes
  • Recipe Videos
  • About Me
  • Work with Me
  • Newsletter
You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dishes / Lamb / Lamb Steaks

Lamb Steaks

July 6, 2023 by Mahy 11 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Lamb steak is a thick cross-section cut of the leg of lamb that is packed with flavor! We’re using American Lamb today to make sweet and tender Lambs steaks on the grill—save this for your next BBQ!  This post is sponsored by the American Lamb Board. All opinions are my own.

grilled lamb steaks on a platter with on steak sliced into strips to show the inside of the steak

Summer is for salads, ice cream and lots of Lamb on the BBQ, and we can’t get enough! These lamb steaks are a crowd pleaser, dreamy BBQ meal because they take just a few minutes to cook, and they can be served with your favorite side.

A few years ago I shared those grilled lamb skewers which were a HIT and made thousands of times. Those Lamb Birria Tacos (or just good old lamb tacos) along with Thai salad with Lamb, Lamb stir fry and Lamb Gyro are just some of my favorite light summer lamb dishes! 

 

What is a Lamb Steak?

close up of a lamb steak showing the meat and bone in the center of the leg of lamb cut cross sectional

This cut comes from the leg of the lamb, which is the meatiest part. It’s a thick cross-section cut of the leg that may be bone-in or boneless. Today we’re using bone-in because we love the flavor of bone-in and we love how it holds a perfect steak shape. 

If you have boneless leg of lamb, you can absolutely slice it yourself into thick slices, and grill or pan fry them in a cast-iron skillet. Lamb steak is a delicious and quick alternative to cooking a whole leg of lamb.

Keep in mind, when buying a whole leg of lamb cut into steaks, you’ll get a variety of sizes. That’s because the butcher will cut off the whole leg and the diameter is different along the leg. You can see the image above has the smaller steaks. We cook them just the same way and enjoy leftovers! More on that below.

A plate with the smaller cuts of the lamb leg making smaller lamb steaks

Never forget to ask for American lamb each time you’re making one of our lamb recipes (or anytime you’re in the mood to cook any lamb recipe!). That’s because it’s the freshest lamb you can have, it’s tasty, buttery, tender and raised by local hard working ranchers and farmers. You’ll be not only supporting those families, you’ll also get the highest quality lamb here—so it’s a win win! 

top view of one perfect lamb steak

Lamb Recipe Ingredients:

Super simple ingredients, and the best part is you can customize it to your taste. Use heavy spice blends (although the best way to taste the freshness of this cut is to have it minimally seasoned). And feel free to swap the herbs with your favorite ones.

Ingredients to make lamb steaks including the leg of lamb cut into steaks, salt, pepper, onion flakes and herb butter

  1. American Lamb Steakscut into 3/4 inch thickness (thinner or thicker are up to your taste).
  2. Salt and pepper
  3. Onion flakes
  4. Fresh oregano or rosemary, or herbs of your choice

herb butter ingredients on a wooden board including melted butter in a bowl, some fresh herbs, salt and pepper, onions flakes

Herb Butter Ingredients

Melted butter

Salt, pepper, onion flakes,

Chopped fresh herbs

How to Cook Lamb Steak

There are two ways to make the best lamb steaks: Grilling them or pan Frying. The process is basically the same, except with pan frying you’ll need a touch more oil. We feel that grilling them on a charcoal grill adds so much flavor, so we’re grilling today!

seasoned lamb steaks on both sides with a simple salt, pepper, onion flakes and olive oil

Preheat the BBQ – gas or charcoal, and if you’re making them in a pan, use a cast iron or heavy duty skillet and preheat it as well.

You’ll start by seasoning the meat on both sides. 

Mix in all ingredients for the herb butter and have it ready.

lamb steaks placed on a charcoal grill

Place the steaks on the hot grill or pan and cook for 3-5 minutes before flipping them.

a hand flipping a grilled steak on the charcoal grill to show the grill marks

This will depend on the thickness of your steaks. A meat thermometer is best to determine (more on that below).

A hand pouring the herb butter over the grilled steaks

Once the steaks are ready, drizzle them with the herb butter and let them cool for 5 minutes before serving.

We love serving them with these Air Fryer Potatoes as we did with this Air fryer Lamb Chops with Poblano sauce. Get the lamb, potatoes and poblano sauce recipes on that post. 

A tong showing close up of a grilled lamb steak drizzled with herb butter

Don’t miss on the bone marrow while you’re enjoying the meat! They’re located inside the small bone within the steak and they’re a real delicacy!

close up of one grilled lamb steak with herb butter and a lemon slice next to it along with fresh thyme

If you’d like to create those fancy grill marks: Set your grill to a high heat and place the chops. After about 2 minutes, rotate the steaks 45 degrees to create a crosshatch design on the bottom of the steaks. After 2 minutes, flip the chops. After another 2 minutes, rotate the chops 45 degrees again. Finish grilling for 2 minutes and then remove to rest.

How long to Cook Lamb Steaks?

We recommend a meat thermometer to be precise. USDA recommends the lamb reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F and rest for 3 minutes. This is closer to a medium doneness and it’s just perfect! 

This is the most reliable way to know how well your lamb is done rather than relying on the grill marks or external heat temperature. 

What to Serve with Lamb Steaks

A plate of air fryer potatoes that is served with the lamb steaks

So MUCH! You can Potatoes and grilled veggies as we’ve done here. Other sides like veggies, pastas, rice, salads or just crusty bread are perfect!

Lamb Steak Tips:

  1. As your butcher for American lamb to get the freshet leg of lamb.
  2. It’s easier to have your butcher cut the steaks for you, choose the thickness and they will cut it off. You can however slice a boneless leg of lamb at home, but not a bone in. To do so, place the boneless meat in the freezer for a couple hours so it’s easier to cut as it firms up.
  3. We love minimal seasoning on this cut, however you can marinate it with your favorite ingredients.
  4. Make sure the grill or pan is preheated before grilling. 
  5. Avoid over cooking the meat, and make sure it has enough time to rest before serving it.
  6. The herb butter is optional BUT SO GOOD! Don’t skimp! Make it to your taste—we love a touch of lemon zest, chili flakes extra on the fresh herbs and onion flakes. But you can add any spice, parmesan cheese, garlic , onions and much more!

How to grill to a Medium Rare with a nice crust?

To have beautiful grill marks, chill the meat in the fridge for an hour before grilling. This delays the cooking time just enough for you to have that gorgeous crust on the outside, while keeping the meat to the 140 degrees F internal temperature.

Where does lamb steak come from?

These steaks are cut crosswise from the leg of lamb. They usually have a bone in the middle, and in this case the butcher is best to cut them off for you as the bone can be hard to cut through at home with a regular knife. They also can be boneless, and in this case can be sliced at home to your taste.

Are lamb steaks tough?

Unless they’re overcooked, lamb steaks are NOT tough at all. 

How to season lamb steaks ?

We love simple onion flakes, salt and pepper and herbs seasoning. 

What pan to use for cooking lamb steaks

If cooking lamb steaks in a pan, then use a cast iron or heavy duty pan because of its amazing heat retention and distribution. Also remember that a well seasoned cast iron is a great non-stick pan, but one that also creates a gorgeous crust.

Side view of the lamb steaks showing the thickness, and grill marks on the steak

Easy Lamb Recipes

Lamb Tacos

Braised Lamb Shanks 

Lamb Stew – Ali Nazik

Lamb Sausage

Boneless Leg of Lamb

Cheesy Pull Apart Bread with Lamb Crumbles

How to Cook Lamb With Moroccan Spice

Cheese Fondue with Lamb Dippers

Lamb Shoulder Chop Recipe

top view of one perfect lamb steak
5 from 12 votes
Print

Lamb Steaks

Lamb steak is a thick cross-section cut of the leg of lamb that is packed with flavor! We’re using American Lamb today to make sweet and tender Lambs steaks on the grill—save this for your next BBQ!
Course BBQ, grill, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Keyword Grilled Lamb, How to Cook Lamb, how to grill lamb, lamb, Lamb Recipe, Lamb recipes, lamb steak, Leg of Lamb
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 451 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Lamb Steaks

  • 1 whole leg of lamb cut into 3/4 inch thick slices
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons onion flakes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3-4 tablespoons fresh oregano and rosemary minced

Herb Butter

  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion flakes
  • 3 tablespoon minced herbs
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon chilli flakes

Serve

  • 1 lemon cut into wedges
  • 1 Air fryer Potatoes Recipe here

Instructions

  1. Preheat the grill to medium high.
  2. Pat dry the steaks and season liberally on all sides with salt, pepper, onions flakes, herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.
    seasoned lamb steaks on both sides with a simple salt, pepper, onion flakes and olive oil
  3. Chill the steaks for an hour.
  4. In the meantime mix all herb butter ingredients and set aside.
    herb butter ingredients all added into a bowl
  5. Place the steaks on the grill and wait 3-4 minutes before flipping them. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
    lamb steaks placed on a charcoal grill
  6. Make sure the temperature registers 140 degrees F internal on the steaks, at that point remove them from the grill.
    a hand flipping a grilled steak on the charcoal grill to show the grill marks
  7. Drizzle the herb butter evenly over the steaks and cover for 4-5 minutes before serving.
    A hand pouring the herb butter over the grilled steaks
  8. Serve and enjoy with your favorite side dishes!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Lamb Steak Tips:

  1. As your butcher for American lamb to get the freshet leg of lamb.
  2. It’s easier to have your butcher cut the steaks for you, choose the thickness and they will cut it off. You can however slice a boneless leg of lamb at home, but not a bone in. To do so, place the boneless meat in the freezer for a couple hours so it’s easier to cut as it firms up.
  3. We love minimal seasoning on this cut, however you can marinate it with your favorite ingredients.
  4. Make sure the grill or pan is preheated before grilling. 
  5. Avoid over cooking the meat, and make sure it has enough time to rest before serving it.
  6. The herb butter is optional BUT SO GOOD! Don’t skimp! Make it to your taste—we love a touch of lemon zest, chili flakes extra on the fresh herbs and onion flakes. But you can add any spice, parmesan cheese, garlic , onions and much more!

How to grill to a Medium Rare with a nice crust?

To have beautiful grill marks, chill the meat in the fridge for an hour before grilling. This delays the cooking time just enough for you to have that gorgeous crust on the outside, while keeping the meat to the 140 degrees F internal temperature.

Where does lamb steak come from?

These steaks are cut crosswise from the leg of lamb. They usually have a bone in the middle, and in this case the butcher is best to cut them off for you as the bone can be hard to cut through at home with a regular knife. They also can be boneless, and in this case can be sliced at home to your taste.

Are lamb steaks tough?

Unless they’re overcooked, lamb steaks are NOT tough at all. 

How to season lamb steaks ?

We love simple onion flakes, salt and pepper and herbs seasoning. 

What pan to use for cooking lamb steaks

If cooking lamb steaks in a pan, then use a cast iron or heavy duty pan because of its amazing heat retention and distribution. Also remember that a well seasoned cast iron is a great non-stick pan, but one that also creates a gorgeous crust.

Nutrition Facts
Lamb Steaks
Amount Per Serving
Calories 451 Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Trans Fat 0.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 10g
Cholesterol 179mg60%
Sodium 913mg40%
Potassium 766mg22%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 50g100%
Vitamin A 471IU9%
Vitamin C 12mg15%
Calcium 32mg3%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Related Posts

Two hands holding a plate of roast boneless leg of lamb over rice, sliced thinly and one hand serving the lamb using a spoonBoneless Leg of Lamb close up of one roast leg of lamb out of the oven golden brown and perfectly cookedLeg of Lamb Recipe A large plate of braised lamb shanks with gravy over mashed potatoes surrounded by fresh tulips and a serving spoonBraised Lamb Shanks  sheet pan fajitas with meat, veggies, tortillas, and all the toppings including cheese, sour cream, lettuce, avocado, salsa, lime wedges, sour creamSheet Pan Fajitas
237 shares
  • Share
  • Yummly
  • Email
  • WhatsApp

Filed Under: Lamb, Quick & Easy, Recipes, Tailgate, Videos Tagged With: bbq, butter'herb butter, grill, lamb recipes, leg of lamb

Previous Post: « Grilled Chicken Wings
Next Post: Caprese Sandwich »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. TAYLER ROSS

    April 1, 2024 at 1:39 pm

    5 stars
    I made these lamb steaks for Easter and they were PERFECT! So juicy and easy to make!

    Reply
  2. Nikki

    August 2, 2023 at 9:29 pm

    5 stars
    The herb butter is to die for! My husband loved this recipe, I’ll be making again soon!

    Reply
  3. Carrie Robinson

    August 2, 2023 at 8:19 pm

    5 stars
    What a great change of pace from what we usually throw on the grill! 🙂 I am loving that herb butter too.

    Reply
  4. Sharon

    August 2, 2023 at 8:19 pm

    5 stars
    Move over traditional steak for grilling steak, these lamb steaks are the way to go! I really loved the herb butter because it added so much flavor.

    Reply
  5. Sandhya S

    August 2, 2023 at 6:05 pm

    5 stars
    Grilling those tender lamb steaks created a mouthwatering aroma. Juicy and perfectly cooked, they turned our dinner into a feast.

    Reply
  6. Dionne

    August 2, 2023 at 5:39 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve got lamb, and I’ve got all other ingredients, too. It is time to get to cooking – this recipe is absolutely stunning!

    Reply
  7. Toni

    July 12, 2023 at 9:58 am

    5 stars
    This is seriously ahhmazing! Thanks so much for the recipe!

    Reply
  8. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

    July 12, 2023 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    What a delicious recipe, my family loved it! Thank you so much!

    Reply
  9. Michelle

    July 12, 2023 at 9:18 am

    5 stars
    I made these at the weekend and they were delicious. The herb butter so so good too! Great recipe, thank you!

    Reply
  10. Mari Ava

    July 12, 2023 at 8:40 am

    5 stars
    Made it last night! Melt-in-your-mouth perfection! This lamb steak recipe is a true culinary masterpiece. Bravo!

    Reply
  11. Biana

    July 12, 2023 at 8:30 am

    5 stars
    These lamb steaks look delicious! Grilled lamb steaks are a great idea for a summer supper, served with a fresh veggie salad.

    Reply
5 from 12 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search for a recipe

Mahy PicHi, I'm Mahy, a recipe developer, food stylist, culinary instructor, photographer, wife and busy mom! Welcome to my blog!...Read More

Never Miss a Post!

subscribe and receive fresh recipes to your inbox

Share the Love

As Featured On

Search by category

Footer

Footer logo

About

About Mahy

Sign up to Newsletter

Work with Me

Contact

Recipes

By Life Style

By Course

By Method

By Cuisine

By Occasion

All Recipes

Copyright © 2025 · Privacy Policy

All images and content are copyright protected. Please contact me if you would like to use any images . If you want to republish any of my recipes, please link back to my website and the recipe post.

»
«

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.