Mediterranean🥩 Meat

Greek Lamb Kleftiko

Name: Greek Lamb Kleftiko
Total time: 4 h 45 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 4-5 lb boneless leg of lamb or shoulder; 4-5 potatoes; 6 garlic cloves; 2 bell peppers; 1 red onion; 2 tomatoes; 6-8 oz feta cheese; ¼ cups olive oil; ¼ cups lemon juice; 2 grated garlic cloves; 1/3 cups water; 2 fresh rosemary sprigs; to taste salt; 2 tbsp dried oregano; to taste freshly cracked black pepper; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander

⏱ 285 min

Greek Lamb Kleftiko is a traditional Mediterranean dish featuring large chunks of lamb cooked slowly with potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, and feta cheese wrapped in parchment paper. The meat is marinated in a lemony herb mixture and roasted low and slow until tender. It's a rustic, flavorful family-style meal perfect for gatherings and special occasions.

High-protein

Adapted from a video by Dimitra's Dishes

Greek Lamb Kleftiko

Watch on YouTube

Ingredients

boneless leg of lamb or shoulder4-5 lb
potatoes4-5
garlic cloves6
bell peppers2
red onion1
tomatoes2
feta cheese6-8 oz
olive oilfor marinade¼ cups
lemon juice¼ cups
grated garlic cloves

Steps

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1
Prepare the marinade by combining olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, water, salt, oregano, black pepper, cumin, and coriander in a large bowl. Add the lamb, coating it well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
2
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Trim excess fat from the lamb and cut into large chunks. Prepare all vegetables: peel and cube the potatoes, dice the bell peppers, chop the tomatoes, slice or dice the red onion, and leave garlic cloves whole.
3
Lay two sheets of parchment paper in a 9×13-inch baking pan, overlapping them to cover the entire bottom. Arrange the vegetables on the parchment, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, black pepper, and oregano. Place the marinated lamb on top and season with salt. Add rosemary sprigs, dried oregano, cumin, coriander, and black pepper. Crumble feta cheese over everything.
4
Fold the parchment paper over the mixture to cover it completely, then cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. Place on the middle rack of a 350°F oven and bake for 4 to 4½ hours until the lamb is tender and falls apart easily. Optionally, unwrap the parchment during the last 15-20 minutes to allow browning.
5
Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. The lamb should be very tender and easily pulled apart, and potatoes should mash easily with a fork. Serve the lamb, vegetables, and pan juices together, optionally with pita bread, rice, or Greek salad on the side.

Greek Lamb Kleftiko

Ingredients

Steps

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