While we’re known for our love of beef, we’re not opposed to loving other types of meat and poultry as well. In this guide, we’re sharing our affection for lamb steaks, a different type of steak you might not have dabbled in yet. We promise they’re worth a try.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to cook lamb steaks.
Table of Contents
What is a Lamb Steak?
Lamb steak is a portion of a leg of lamb, typically sliced by a butcher or the chef. Although some people roast a whole leg of lamb and then slice it into steaks, you can typically get a better sear — and a faster cook — from slicing the lamb into steaks first and then cooking each steak.
Once it’s cooked, lamb steak somewhat resembles the look of a beef steak. However, its flavor is quite a bit different. Generally, lamb is described as having an earthier flavor, yet its overall flavor is somewhat milder than that of beef.
Many supermarkets carry lamb, but you can almost always find lamb at your local butcher. If you’re not comfortable slicing the lamb into steaks yourself, ask your butcher to do it for you.
Tips and Tricks For the Best Lamb Steaks
Just like beef steaks, lamb steaks are most successful when you don’t jump into cooking them mindlessly. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind when preparing and cooking lamb steaks:
- Trim fat: Before cooking, trim excess fat from lamb steaks, especially if you’re going to cook them on the grill or in a pan. When cooked slowly, like in the oven or slow cooker, the fat renders down over time, but quick cooking methods don’t usually give it enough time to break down and tenderize the fat. Plus, fat can cause flare-ups when it comes into contact with oil and high heat.
- Bring to room temperature: Let your lamb steaks rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before you cook them, creating a more even temperature throughout the meat. This helps you cook the lamb steaks more evenly from the inside out.
- Consider marinating: Although not necessary, marinating your lamb steaks can give them some extra flavor. Marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking or, ideally, overnight.
- Cook to medium-rare: Like beef steak, lamb steaks benefit from a medium-rare cook with a little pink in the middle. Cook too much past this, and you’ll lose some of the flavor and tenderness that lamb steaks are known for.
How to Season or Marinate Lamb Steaks
Lamb steaks have a lot of flavor on their own, but as you know from cooking steak, it’s still important to season food for the best results. Lamb steaks do well with generous seasoning — at the very least, give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Even better: Create a mix of your favorite herbs and spices to sprinkle or rub onto each steak before cooking them. Brush some olive oil onto your steaks before seasoning them to help your seasonings or rub adhere.
Alternatively, you can marinate your steaks. This is a good option if you’re going for a specific flavor profile and want to infuse those flavors into the meat. Marinating is also helpful to save some time preparing your steaks. Leave them in a marinade in the fridge during the day, and by dinner time, they’ll be ready to cook. Just remember to pay each steak completely dry after removing it from the marinade and before cooking to ensure a solid sear.
Try our fresh herb roast rub and marinade recipe for starters, or check out our dozens of marinade recipes to spark ideas.
5 Methods of Cooking Lamb Steaks
When you’re ready to start cooking, follow these simple guides below to learn how to cook lamb steaks using the oven, stove, grill, air fryer, and slow cooker.
In the Oven
Marinate the steaks with your choice of marinade for at least 30 minutes. Then, remove the steaks from the refrigerator and place them in an oven-safe dish with some marinade drizzled over them. Leave them at room temperature for 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 ℉. Transfer the steaks to the middle rack to cook for about 12-14 minutes or until they reach around 125 ℉ internally. Then, turn on the broiler, place the steaks under the broiler, and cook for one minute on each side until lightly browned. Rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature. The lamb steak’s final temperature should be 135 ℉ for medium-rare.
On the Stove
Remove the steaks from the fridge to rest for 30 minutes before cooking. Salt generously on both sides. About five minutes before cooking, preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil or two tablespoons of butter. Season the steaks with your choice of spices. Transfer the steaks to the pan to sear for 2-3 minutes on each side. Then, lower the heat to cook for another 4-8 minutes, spooning butter over the top of the steaks occasionally. Once the steaks reach 130 ℉, they’re ready to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, bringing them to a final medium-rare temperature of 135 ℉.
On the Grill
Preheat the grill to high heat as your steaks rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Season the steaks as desired before transferring them to the grill. Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, flipping the steaks only once. Then, reduce the heat or move the steaks to a low-heat area of the grill for another 5-10 minutes of cooking or until they reach 130 ℉ internally. Rest for 5-10 minutes before enjoying.
In the Air Fryer
After resting lamb steaks for 30 minutes outside of the refrigerator, season them as desired and place them into your air fryer basket so that they aren’t touching. You may need to work in batches. Air fry the steaks at 375 ℉ for 8-10 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 130 ℉. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes to reach a final temperature of at least 135 ℉ for medium-rare before serving.
In the Slow Cooker/Crock Pot
Create a marinade of your choice for your lamb steaks. Marinade the steaks for at least 30 minutes before placing them in the slow cooker. Then, pour the leftover marinade over them. Cook for 4-5 hours on low. Serve the steaks with a drizzle of marinade on top.
Conclusion: How to Cook Lamb Steaks
If you know how to cook a beef steak, then you can learn to cook lamb steaks with success. Experiment with each cooking method above to find your preferred cooking method for lamb steaks. Then, turn it into a wholesome meal by getting inspiration from our steak side recipes and ideas.