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Grilled Butterflied Leg Of Lamb With Fresh Mint-Pepper Jelly

This grilled butterflied leg of lamb is a sophisticated yet simple dish that brings a vibrant, modern twist to a British Sunday favourite. By butterflying the lamb, you create a larger surface area that absorbs the aromatic marinade of rosemary, garlic, and Marsala wine, ensuring every slice is packed with savoury flavour. When finished on the barbecue, the meat takes on a delicious charred crust while remaining tender and succulent inside.

As a high-protein main course, this recipe is ideal for alfresco entertaining or a nutritious family dinner. The accompanying fresh mint-pepper jelly provides a bright, piquant contrast to the rich meat, elevating the dish beyond the traditional mint sauce. Serve your carved lamb alongside some charred seasonal vegetables or a crisp heritage tomato salad for a complete, garden-fresh meal.

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Ingredients for Grilled Butterflied Leg Of Lamb With Fresh Mint-Pepper Jelly

  • One 4 1/2 to 2.3kg butterflied leg of lamb, trimmed of excess fat and silverskin

  • 8 garlic cloves, cut in half, smashed lightly with the flat side of a knife blade

  • 60ml fresh rosemary or 1 heaping tablespoon dried rosemary or a mixture of rosemary, marjoram, and oregano

  • 45ml olive oil

  • 120ml Marsala or dry red wine

  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Safflower oil or canola oil, for oiling the grill

  • 1 recipe Foster's Seven Pepper Jelly with Fresh Mint (recipe follows)

  • 150g Foster's Seven Pepper jelly or your favourite pepper jelly

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  1. Make about 8 small incisions on the fatty side of the lamb and insert a smashed garlic half and some rosemary into each slit. Rub the lamb on both sides with the olive oil, Marsala, remaining garlic and rosemary, mint, salt, and pepper Cover and refrigerate overnight or let stand 1 hour at cool room temperature.

  2. Brush the grill grates lightly with the safflower oil. Prepare a hot fire in a gas or charcoal grill.

  3. If the lamb has been in the refrigerator, bring it to room temperature. Remove the meat from the marinade and drain slightly, allowing some of the marinade to remain on the lamb for added flavour.

  4. When the fire is medium-hot (if using charcoal, the coals will be grey and slightly glowing), place the lamb on the grill and cook 15-20 minutes per side (depending on how hot the fire is), basting frequently with the remaining marinade. Move the lamb to the side of the grill away from the direct heat and continue to cook 10 to 15 minutes longer, turning once, or until the internal temperature registers 130 to 135 degrees for medium-rare and 140 to 145 degrees for medium

  5. Remove the lamb from the grill and let rest, lightly covered, on a carving board 10 minutes before slicing. Carve into 1/4-inch slices and serve immediately with Foster's Seven Pepper Jelly with Fresh Mint.

Makes 1 1/2 cups jelly

Combine the jelly with the mint, vinegar, and pepper in a bowl and whisk until all ingredients are blended. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use or up to 1 week.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 29 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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