This one pan slow roasted goat leg recipe with pomegranate glaze, served with baked potatoes is so good, that every year is featured in our top best Mediterranean recipes! You can also make it with lamb leg, there's no difference, except maybe from the cooking time.
Slow roasting the meat, makes it tender and succulent and your guests will surely be impressed! Also, roasting some potatoes in the same pan is a common practice in Greece, something that makes dinner simpler and fuss-free.
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Roasted goat or lamb in the oven is widely favored in Greece, especially during Easter and Spring.
Many people refrain from eating meat during Lent (the 40 days period before Easter) and their diet includes recipes like this taramasalata dip, this Greek brown lentil soup and these Baked giant beans (Gigandes Plaki).
As you can understand, meat dishes are highly anticipated after this fasting period. This article about planning a Greek Easter meal from thespruceeats includes many other traditional Greek Easter dishes.
If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments!
Ingredients
For the pan:
- One goat leg with the bone. You can also use lamb leg.
- Garlic cloves
- Rosemary
- Lemon
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Dried oregano
- White wine
- Baby potatoes (or regular potatoes)
For the glaze:
- Pomegranate syrup (grape syrup, maple syrup or honey will also do)
- Ground coriander seeds
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Pomegranate arils for decoration (optional)
Variations
The most delicious variation of this recipe is probably the simplest one.
So, forget all of the extra ingredients and just use a good quality meat, potatoes, salt and pepper and some olive oil. Maybe also some oregano for the potatoes.
Salt and pepper are enough to make a dish you’ll remember for the rest of your life! BUT, (yeah… it seems there’s always a “but”!) the meat needs to be of really good quality, meaning young, grass-fed and free-range if possible!
I don’t usually eat lamb or goat because of this reason. If the meat is not good enough, it has a strong taste/smell I cannot get accustomed to. I strongly believe this has to do with the way the animals are raised and fed.
An animal that’s raised inside a stable, with no sun, with high levels of anxiety and low-quality food will taste a lot different from one that’s raised in the fields, under the sun, happy, eating grass and herbs.
In conclusion, the simple variation is perfect for an everyday dinner, but If you want something more festive, then try this recipe mostly because of the pomegranate syrup glaze.
Pomegranate syrup, also known as pomegranate molasses, is just pomegranate juice that has been cooked down and reduced to a thick syrup. It’s sweet and tangy at the same time and can be used not only in meat recipes but also in salads as part of the dressing.
You can make it yourself by boiling pomegranate juice, or you can buy it from the ethnic aisle in big supermarkets and online.
Goat vs Lamb meat
Taste-wise, goat meat is milder than lamb and that's why many people who don't like the lamb taste prefer to eat goat. Lamb meat is more intense and tastes kind of gamey.
Regarding the nutrition value, goat has more protein and less fat than lamb.
In many recipes, like this one, you can use goat instead of lamb and vice versa, but keep in mind that lamb may need some extra cooking time. Other than that, there shouldn't be any problems.
Internal temperature for cooked goat and lamb
You don't need an oven thermometer for this recipe and you don't have to worry about the internal temperature of the meat. The long roasting method cooks the meat perfectly and makes it fall-off-the-bone tender.
But if you just want to know, then for goat meat, according to the fsis.usda.gov the internal temperature should be about 160 °F (70 °C).
For lamb, the internal temperature should be about 145° F (62.8° C) .
How do you make goat meat tender?
First, you have to choose a young animal. Remember that the older the animal is, the more tough the meat will be.
Then, you should opt for a slow-roasting method which melts the collagen of the meat and turns it into gelatin, something that makes it tastier and much more tender. For this recipe, 356°F (180°C) may seem too high, but this is how it's done for many years in most Greek homes and it works.
What to serve with
This dish already contains a lot of protein from the meat and carbs from the potatoes. A nice, healthy salad would be ideal on the side. My favorite options are:
- Tabbouleh salad
- Greek cabbage salad (Lahanosalata)
- Easy cucumber salad or creamy cucumber salad
- Authentic Greek salad (Horiatiki)
- Shaved fennel, orange and ouzo salad
As for dessert, this refreshing lemon possets recipe or this healthy yogurt parfaits would be a great finish to your meal.
Some note/tips:
- Long baking time will make the meat tender, succulent, and fall-off-the-bone! Just remember that lamb needs a little more time to cook than goat because it is higher in fat.
- Search for good quality meat!
- Since you’re already using garlic, wrap some whole bulbs aluminum foil and bake them in the pan to get caramelized, roasted garlic. When done, open the foil, cut the bottom of the bulb and squeeze into a jar. Top with olive oil and store in the fridge or freezer. For a detailed recipe check this article for how to roast garlic in the oven.
📖 Recipe
Greek roasted goat (or lamb) leg recipe
Ingredients
For the meat:
- 3 pounds (1.3 Kg) goat leg with the bone (you can also use lamb)
- 2-3 cloves of garlic cut into little sticks
- 3-4 sprigs of rosemary
- Juice from 1 lemon
- ¼ cups olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 pounds baby potatoes or potatoes peeled and cut into wedges
For the glaze:
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate syrup, or grape syrup, maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander seeds, optional
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Pomegranate arils for decoration, optional
Others:
- Aluminum foil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 356°F (180°C)
- Rub the meat with salt and pepper. Make small incisions throughout the meat and put inside one stick of garlic and some rosemary.Place the meat and the potatoes in a pan, add the wine and lemon juice, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the oregano.
- Wrap well with foil and bake for 2 hours.
- Combine all the ingredients for the glaze in a bowl, and mix well. Remove foil and brush the meat with half of the glaze. Gently smash the potatoes if you want them with crunchy edges.Return to the oven and bake uncovered for at least 30 more minutes or until the surface of the meat is deep brown and you can see the tissue separating from the bone.
- When the meat is almost done, brush once more with the rest of the glaze and bake for additional 5 minutes (this is the time to throw in some pomegranate arils). Take out of the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cooking times may vary, depending on the type and age of the meat.
- If using lamp, increase baking time approximately 30 minutes.
Nutrition
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Akhila@Pepper Delight
This is the most beautiful photo of lamb EVER! Stunning! And they look absolutely delish! I’ll definitely have to give them a try!
Makos
Thank you so much, Akhila!
Roasted goat (or lamb) leg is a very popular recipe in Greece! 🙂
Maritza Reneau
Hi Makos, that goat leg looks beautiful and delicious. My husband and I just started a goat farm, we sell goat meat and live goats. I would love to move from farm to table concept restaurant.
I’m going to try your recipe today with the family.
If you’re ever in Alabama come and visit!
Makos
Thank you Maritza! Enjoy your meal!!!!
Mnyenga
I wanna give a try for dinner
Mary Fisher
I’ll be cooking a goat leg like this for Easter
Makos
That's great! 🙂
matus
It came out perfect! Thank you. Easy and delicious
Makos
Very happy to hear that, thank you!
Anne
This turned out to be an excellent meal. Fabulously simple ingredients and a good piece of meat came together like a wonder. Even my two teens, who always mean when I experiment in the kitchen, had no complaints. A little early for Orthodox Easter, but as a blended family, so are our practices. Thankyou, Makos.
Makos
Hi Anne, I'm very happy you liked it!
Hope you and your family are safe and enjoy this Easter 🙂
Ruth
Makos thank you so much for this wonderful recipe. I was able to source the goat leg from an amazing farmer near us who helps support teenagers without any work skills. He farms ethically and teaches them life skills and farm management, so the goat has had a wonderful life on his farm.
The recipe was unctuous and it made our heart sing! What more could you ask for?
Best wishes Ruth
Makos
Hi Ruth,
I'm very happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Also, we need more farmers like the one you mention! <3
Riz
Hi Makos. Your recipe requires one cup of wine, could i replace the wine with some thing else?
Makos
Hi Riz, the flavor will be a little different, but 1cup of vegetable or chicken broth (or even water) would be fine I guess.
🙂
Tricia
This was absolutely fantastic… and that was despite having to substitute the coriander with paprika. The timings and temperature worked a treat, and the meat was very tender without having to treat it overnight. A huge thanks!
Makos
That's so great! Thanks for the feedback ☺️
Dennis
This is my second time making this recipe and is probably the only way I will do goat legs in the future. Absolutely mouth watering deliciousness… The glaze is excellent.
Makos
Thanks Dennis,
I'm very glad you liked it!
Jenny
THE BEST!!!!!!! Amazingly beautiful taste....a big hit here that is for sure!!! Will be doing this one again!!!!! From Australia!
Makos
Thank you Jenny!
Pilat
This looks perfect for my family.. however I’ll need to make 2. How would you adjust the cooking time? Thanks!
Makos
Hi Pilat,
If they have enough space in the pan the cooking time could be the same or half an hour longer. You will now when they're ready when you pierce the meat with a fork and it's very tender
Gehandas
We gave it a try and it was absolutely delicious!! Thank you
Makos
That's great, thank you!
Rachel Atkinson
Can I cook this in a slow cooker?
Makos
Hi Rachel,
I haven't done it in a slow cooker but I believe the result will be very different
Ian
Thank you for this. This has become my go to recipe whenever I want slow cooked leg of lamb or goat. It never fails and always impresses. If the leg ( or legs) are small enough, I use my Dutch oven. Larger ones get the pan and foil. It works great both ways. If you are looking for an easy and reliable recipe for leg of lamb or goat, have faith in this one. It always delivers.
Makos
That's great Ian! Thank you for the feedback 🙂
Irene
This looks amazing. The goat leg I have is 4 lbs. How should I adjust cooking time and temperature?
Makos
Hi Irene, it may need about 30 minutes more. In any case, check it with a fork and if it's not tender enough bake it a little longer 🙂
Irene
Thank you for your quick response. Making for Easter! Do you think I should add potatoes in later then?
Makos
Yes, that's what I would do 🙂
Happy Easter!
Bob
Temperature too high. Recipe too sour overall. Got sour, tough meat. Not great.
Makos
Hi Bob, I'm sorry this didn't work out for you.
Since there are many people who have made this recipe and were pleased with the outcome, can you tell me a bit more about the ingredients. quantities and the method you used?