Smoked Leg of Lamb – Boneless

Smoked lamb leg is one delicious meat and could not be easier with this recipe. While it is possible to smoke a whole leg of lamb with the bone in, I find that smoking it boneless is far superior. Not only does it take less time smoking leg without the bone, I also do not notice much difference in flavour.

You can purchase a leg of lamb that is already removed from the bone and tied up into a roast, or a butcher can be paid to do it. If desired, you can also take up the task and bone the leg of lamb yourself. If you do that, make sure to tie it up into a football shaped roast with kitchen twine.

There are many different spice blends that work with lamb, and in this recipe I used a Greek style spice rub. This seasoning uses garlic, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Make sure to rub the lamb all over to ensure it is well seasoned.

Another spice rub that works very well is this one: Moroccan Spice Rub

Smoked Leg of Lamb Boneless

For smoking, I usually smoke lamb with apple, but have also used hickory, oak and pecan. Each of those have resulted in a delicious smoked lamb.

Set the smoker for 250F. I find that this temperature is perfect to create a tasty rubbed crust on the outside on the lamb and also keeps the meat moist and juicy.

Like beef, people have different preferences for doneness of lamb. While some people prefer a rare to medium rare lamb, others favour a more well done cut of meat. I cooked it to an internal temperature of 145F and then removed it from the smoker. I let the leg of lamb rest for 5 minutes before slicing it. This resulted in a meat that was still pink in the middle.

I was impressed by the smoky flavour that was well balanced with the seasoning. The meat was tender and moist.

Smoked Leg of Lamb Boneless

Smoked Leg of Lamb Recipe - Boneless

4.59 out of 5
12 reviews
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How to smoke a boneless leg of lamb with these simple instructions and delicious Greek style herb and garlic  rub. Smoked in a Bradley Electric Smoker, but any smoker would work.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 boneless leg of lamb , about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds in weight
  • 4 garlic cloves , minced
  • 2 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  • Trim the meat of any excess fat and try to keep the meat an even thickness as this helps to ensure even cooking and smoking throughout. If necessary, use kitchen twine to tie up the lamb so that is bunched together to form a nice roast.
  • Mix together the garlic, oil and spices and rub all over the lamb. Place lamb on a dish and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for at least an hour to marinate. 
  • Place the lamb on a smoker rack
  • Set the smoker to 250F using wood chips of choice. Apple, oak and hickory are great choices.
  • Smoke the lamb for around 3-4 hours or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches about 145F, which is a nice medium rare. Some people prefer their lamb more rare while other like it more well done, so monitor the temperature and remove at desired doneness.

Nutrition

Per serving:

Calories: 356kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 49gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 152mgSodium: 2474mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Nutrition Disclaimer

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4.59 from 12 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




21 comments

  • 5 stars
    I bought the boneless leg of lamb already marinated and smoked it in a Traeger 34 series for 3 hrs at 250 degrees, pulled it 145 degrees internally. Best lamb I’ve ever smoked! My Traeger never lets me down! Pellets were hickory/ cherry!

    • Reply
  • 3 stars
    A bit on the salty side, but my oldest son loved it. I had to add lemon juice as there was no way I was going to be able to spread that over the meat. Turned it several times last night and again today before tying it up for the smoker. I smoked it at 180 most of the time and upped it to 225 for about the last twenty degrees to make sure it was ready by our usual dinner time.

    • Reply
  • Are these dry spices or fresh?

    • Reply
    • I used dry.

      • Reply
      • Steve.
        Did you mean 2 tbs and not 2 tsp? I tried a taste of the rub after I placed it on the lamb and into the fridge. So salty. Was it supposed to be 2 tsp? Will be cooking it tomorrow for friends. Hope I didn’t ruin it.
        Thanks.
        Jeff

        • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I find the recipe ingredients just fine. I smoked a 5 lb boneless leg of lamb and pretty much doubled the recipe. I cooked to 140 degrees, but worriedly watched the meat coast up to 148 degrees after I pulled from the smoker. The 8 degree coast was probably due to the larger mass. I’m doing the same next week and will pull at 133 for a more medium rare roast. BTW I used cherry chips.

    • Reply
    • 5 stars
      I did the Moroccan rub and I put the Lamb with some zucchini and squash on my pitboss pellet smoker on 180 and slow smoked it till the internal temp got to 130 and pulled it off let it stand for a few minutes while I let it set up. I cooked up some couscous with the vegetables it paired nicely and then I started carving up the lamb … It came out so juicy and tender perfect medium. Definitely a household hit. Will be doing this one again for sure..

      • Reply
      • Steve.
        Did you mean 2 tbs and not 2 tsp? I tried a taste of the rub after I placed it on the lamb and into the fridge. So salty. Was it supposed to be 2 tsp? Will be cooking it tomorrow for friends. Hope I didn’t ruin it.
        Thanks.
        Jeff

        • Reply
        • Hi Jeff. Yes, I do use 2 tbsp. I find that the lamb does not taste too salty.

  • 3 stars
    I followed exactly…ended up way too salty. I would cut the salt out almost completly, as other spices are a nice profile

    • Reply
  • How long do keep the smoke going? During the whole cook time?

    • Reply
    • I generally smoke it for the whole time.

      • Reply
  • This was AWESOME! I would highly recommend doing this. Crusty, brown, herb on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. YUM!

    • Reply
  • This was amazing. The best lamb I’ve ever had. My hisband loves lamb but I’ve never liked the strong flavor. He couldn’t stop raving about it. Thank you!!

    • Reply
  • 4 stars
    This looks great. I’m trying it in my friend’s smoker as I’m participating in an dinner party celebrating Icelandic food and lamb is central. I am supposed to make it an appetizer and would love any ideas on how to present this lamb as fingerfood? Perhaps on rye (Icelandic) with some kind of spicey sauce???

    • Reply
    • Kebab it for an appetizer. Add a dipping sauce. Not sure what will hapoen to cooking time if kebob first…might need to test first.

      • Reply
  • 3-4 hours is way too long at 250 in my brinkman electric. 2 hours and it’s done, so watch for that. Monitor the temp at the 1.5 hour mark if you want medium rare.

    The rub is awesome and certainly a crowd pleasing dish. Making it again today.

    • Reply
    • 3.5 hrs at 210 degrees (on a Pitt Boss pellet smoker produced 142 degree produced a perfect product. I added a sprig of fresh rosemary and it was raved about for the last 350 days or so. Doing it again on Sunday.

      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I tried this once and accidentally overcooked it to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. But it’s still turned out amazingly wonderful. It has got to be one of the best things I’ve ever smoked or cooked period. To me it’s better than bacon. I can only imagine how good it will be next when i cook it next time to 145!

    I’m going to try the same marinade/rub for a pork loin.

    • Reply
    • 5 stars
      I’m trying the recipe know will let you know how it turns out.

      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Love smoked food

    • Reply

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