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Sundried Tomato And Garlic Roast Lamb is everything a proper Sunday roast should be. Juicy and perfectly pink on the inside, charred just enough on the outside, and rubbed all over with a rich sundried tomato paste that sinks into every crevice. It is the kind of roast lamb recipe that feels special without trying too hard.

This one has been sitting in the vault for far too long, and honestly, that is on me. What was I thinking keeping a garlic roast lamb this good from you? If you love the combo of sundried tomato and lamb, consider this your official invitation to make it the new star of your weekend table.

Sundried Tomato and Garlic Roast Lamb on a plate

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • The sundried tomato paste locks in flavour. It clings to the lamb with garlic and oil, creating a savoury crust that keeps the meat juicy and deeply seasoned without overpowering it.
  • Simple roasting, perfect results. High heat gives you a lightly charred outside and a tender, pink centre, making this roast lamb recipe both reliable and impressive.
  • Low effort, big reward. A quick rub and a short roast is all it takes to deliver a garlic roast lamb that feels special enough for weekends but easy enough to make anytime.

Ingredients You’ll Need

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Flat lay photo of ingredient shot of garlic, fresh thyme, leg of lamb, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, salt

This recipe keeps things intentionally simple so the lamb stays front and centre.

  • Leg Of Lamb: Bone-in or boneless both work here. Bone-in gives a little extra flavour, while boneless is easier to carve and cooks more evenly.
  • Sundried Tomatoes In Oil: These form the base of the paste, adding richness and depth while helping the seasoning cling to the lamb as it roasts.
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves bring punch and warmth, balancing the intensity of the sundried tomato and rounding out the savoury profile.
  • Fresh Thyme: Used lightly, thyme adds a subtle herby finish that lifts the lamb without competing with the main flavours.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottiom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

Feeling A Little Extra? Try This

This roast is delicious as written, but a few small tweaks can help you make it your own or work with what you have on hand.

  • Add A Little Heat: Blend a pinch of chilli flakes or chilli paste into the sundried tomato mixture for a gentle kick that pairs well with the lamb.
  • Swap The Herb: Fresh rosemary can replace thyme if you prefer a more classic garlic roast lamb flavour.
  • Go Boneless: A boneless leg of lamb is easier to carve and cooks slightly faster, so reduce the roasting time as needed.
  • No Sundried Tomatoes In Oil?: Rehydrate dry sundried tomatoes in warm water, then blend with olive oil to create a similar paste.

How To Make Sundried Tomatoes and Garlic Roast Lamb

Preheat oven to 220℃ | 430℉, then blend the sundried tomatoes with their oil, 4 garlic cloves, and salt
  1. Preheat And Blend: Preheat oven to 220℃ | 430℉, then blend the sundried tomatoes with their oil, 4 garlic cloves, and salt until a smooth, thick paste forms.
Place the lamb in a roasting tray and rub the sundried tomato paste all over, making sure the surface is evenly covered.
  1. Coat The Lamb: Place the lamb in a roasting tray and rub the sundried tomato paste all over, making sure the surface is evenly covered.
Cut about 6 shallow slits over the lamb, work paste into each opening, then insert one or two slices of the remaining garlic.
  1. Add Garlic Slits: Cut about 6 shallow slits over the lamb, work paste into each opening, then insert one or two slices of the remaining garlic.
Cover the tray tightly with foil and roast on the middle rack for about 40 minutes
  1. Roast Covered: Cover the tray tightly with foil and roast on the middle rack for about 40 minutes for medium rare, adjusting time as needed.
Remove the foil, switch the oven to grill or broil on high, and grill for 5 to 10 minutes per side until lightly charred.
  1. Grill To Finish: Remove the foil, switch the oven to grill or broil on high, and grill for 5 to 10 minutes per side until lightly charred.
Remove the lamb from the oven and rest for 5 to 10 minutes
  1. Rest And Serve: Remove the lamb from the oven and rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then spoon the pan juices over the lamb before serving.

Garlicky Herb Red Potato Salad is a natural match for this lamb, adding freshness and bite while soaking up all those rich sundried tomato juices. It keeps the plate feeling balanced without pulling focus from the roast.

For something warm and comforting, Browned Butter Parmesan Roasted Potatoes bring crisp edges and deep savoury flavour, while Crispy Parmesan Asparagus adds a lighter, garlicky vegetable side that works beautifully with the lamb.

Pro Tips For Lamb That Never Fails

  • Let the lamb sit out first: Take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before roasting so it cooks more evenly from edge to centre.
  • Do not skip the foil stage: Covering the lamb early keeps it juicy and prevents the sundried tomato paste from burning before the meat cooks through.
  • Use a meat thermometer if unsure: Aim for about 55–60℃ for medium rare, remembering the temperature will rise slightly while resting.
  • Resting is non-negotiable: Give the lamb at least 5 minutes to rest so the juices redistribute and the slices stay moist.

Recipe FAQ’s

How Do I Know When The Lamb Is Cooked?

The most reliable way is a meat thermometer. Aim for 55–60℃ for medium rare, then let it rest so the temperature rises slightly before carving.

Should I Use Bone-In Or Boneless Lamb?

Both work well in this roast lamb recipe. Bone-in adds a bit more flavour, while boneless cooks more evenly and is easier to slice.

Why Is My Lamb Not Crispy On The Outside?

Make sure the foil is removed before grilling and the oven is fully heated on grill or broil. Dry heat at the end is what creates that charred crust.

Top view of Sundried Tomato and Garlic Roast Lamb

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5 from 3 votes

Sundried Tomato and Garlic Roast Lamb

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4 Serves
Sundried tomatoes and garlic blended together to form a beautiful and perfect paste for this perfect Roast Lamb!
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Ingredients 
 

  • 2 lb leg of lamb bone in or out
  • 1/2 cup Sundried tomatoes in oil
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 2 teaspoons salt plus 1 extra for sprinkling
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme to garnish

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 220℃ | 430℉. Combine the sundried tomatoes in their oil with 4 garlic cloves in a bullet blender or food processor. Process until smooth and a paste has formed. Add the salt (it will be salty but is needed to roast the lamb).
  • Place the lamb into a roasting tray; rub the mixture all over the lamb to evenly coat. Slice about 6 shallow openings (or slits) around the lamb (top and bottom of the roast) and rub the tomato mix into the slits. Slice the remaining clove of garlic into thin slices and place one or two slices into each opening. Sprinkle with a little extra salt (optional).
  • Cover tray with foil and place onto the middle rack of your oven to bake for 40 minutes (for medium rare – or leave longer until cooked to your liking). Remove tray from oven; uncover; place lamb back in your oven onto the middle rack; change oven settings to grill/broil on high heat and grill for a further 5-10 minutes, or until golden, char grilled crispy on top. Rotate lamb to grill for a further 5-10 minutes to crisp the underside.
  • Remove from oven and allow to rest for a good 5-10 minutes. Pour the juices from the pan into a serving jug and pour the juices over the lamb to serve.

Notes

Make sure to cook meat covered, until the middle is cooked to your liking, before removing and charing outside. Once foil is removed, the outside will cook further and quicker than inside.

Nutrition

Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 1298mg | Potassium: 687mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.04g | Vitamin A: 189IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this? Leave a comment below!

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5 from 3 votes

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12 Comments

  1. Paul M says:

    5 stars
    I made this last night for Easter. I had trouble getting the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic to blend in the Ninja bullet style blender that I used. I had to keep scraping the sides, and I added a little olive oil to it in order to help. My leg of lamb was just over 6#, and I wanted to cook is slower at 350 degrees. Long story short, it took about four hours to cook. But the flavor was excellent, and it is definitely something I would try again.

  2. catarina says:

    This recipe was awesome! The lamb came out perfect and husband loved it. Thank you for saving my dinners Karina. I’ve had so many successes with recipes from your blog.

    XO

  3. Chris says:

    5 stars
    Hey Karina I use your recipes all the time but have never left a review (so i will start now)! everything on here i have cooked has been AMAZING!! This lamb recipe is so tasty and me and my girlfriend refuse to share it with anyone!

  4. Cel says:

    If I am cooking only half of the leg, will the cooking time stays the same or I should also shorten it by half? Thanks.

    1. Karina says:

      I would recommend continuing with the same amount of time but checking it half way through. You can always have leftovers or freeze the lamb if you made the whole recipe. Enjoy!

  5. Doug Resar says:

    5 stars
    Karina, that recipe we can find in a 5 star restaurant. It was amazing as I have cooked many lamb recipes
    but this is out standing. Would not change anything and that is rare for me. Again great job to you and thank
    you for posting it.

  6. Tammy Renea @SanPasqualsKitchen says:

    This is the most beautiful leg of lamb I’ve ever seen in my life. I just thought you should know. 🙂

    1. Karina says:

      Thank you Tammy! That’s a BIG compliment!

  7. Jeri says:

    What size size lamb did yo use for this recipe?

    1. Karina says:

      Hey Jeri. I used (approx) a 2.5kg or 5lbs leg of lamb 🙂

  8. Tasha @thatssoyummy says:

    shut the front door, the flavor of that lamb would be off the chain. Pics are beautiful!

    1. Karina says:

      Haha thank you Tasha!! It was way off the chain 😉 X