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    Home » Recipes » Meats

    Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack with Cowboy Butter Sauce

    By Susan Ensley · Mar 25, 2024 · Updated: Apr 6, 2025

    Jump to Recipe

    Make your next special occasion truly unforgettable with this Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack with Cowboy Butter Sauce. This elegant dish is perfect for holidays, celebrations, or any time you want to impress.  Bursting with flavor – the tender lamb is cooked to perfection and topped with a rich, herb-infused butter sauce that will have you licking your plate.

    Oven-Roasted Lamb with Cowboy Butter Sauce
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Want to Make Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack with Cowboy Butter Sauce
    • Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack
    • Steps to Make the Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack
    • Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need to Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce
    • Steps to Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Recipe Tips and Tricks
    • Other Great Meats for the Main Course
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Want to Make Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack with Cowboy Butter Sauce

    • Flavor Explosion: Forget bland lamb! Cowboy butter sauce transforms this dish into a flavor sensation. Imagine savory herbs and spices melting into perfectly cooked, juicy lamb.
    • Impress Without the Stress: This recipe seems fancy but is surprisingly easy. Oven roasting ensures foolproof results, and the cowboy butter comes together quickly.
    • Dinner Party Star: Want to wow your guests? This dish delivers. The elegant lamb rack and irresistible aroma of the cowboy butter guarantee rave reviews.
    • Something for Everyone: Lamb is the star, but pair it with delicious sides like Oven-Roasted Vegetables with Garlic and Herbs for a complete meal.

    Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack

    Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack

    Steps to Make the Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack

    1. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a quarter-sheet pan with aluminum foil and place an oven-proof rack inside the pan, set the pan aside until ready to use. Remove the lamb from the refrigerator and dry it with paper towels. Place the lamb on a large plate and generously season it with a few pinches of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
    salt and pepper on lamb
    1. In a small food processor, add the olive oil and freshly minced garlic.
    adding garlic to food processor
    1. Then, add the freshly minced rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest.
    adding herbs and lemon zest to food processor
    1. Place the top on the food processor and blend everything for about a minute until a smooth paste forms.
    blending rub for lamb
    1. Use your hands to generously coat the lamb rack with the herb rub. Let it rest for an hour to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
    coating lamb with rub
    1. Lay the lamb rack on the wire rack in the prepared pan. Bake in a 450°F oven for 15 minutes.
    placing lamb rack on prepared pan
    1. After 15 minutes, rotate the pan 180° in the oven and roast for another 10 minutes for medium-rare or 15 minutes for medium done. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes.
    lamb out of oven
    1. After 10 minutes, transfer the lamb rack to a cutting board and cut the lamb into individual chops between the ribs. Serve with Cowboy Butter Sauce.
    cutting roasted rack of lamb

    Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need to Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce

    Ingredients for Cowboy Butter

    Steps to Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce

    1. Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Then, add the freshly minced garlic and whisk to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.
    adding garlic to melted butter
    1. Add the lemon juice and zest.
    adding lemon zest to garlic butter
    1. Then, add the Dijon mustard.
    adding dijon mustard to garlic butter
    1. And add the paprika and cayenne pepper.
    adding cayenne pepper to garlic butter
    1. Whisk vigirously to combine and allow to cook for another 2-3 minutes. Then, remove from the heat.
    whisking garlic butter
    1. Add the freshly minced parsley, chives, rosemary, crushed red pepper flakes, and a couple pinches of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
    adding herbs and red pepper flakes to butter
    1. Whisk vigorously to combine everything together. Transfer the Cowboy Butter to a ramekin and serve warm alongside the Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack.
    whisking cowboy butter

    Whether it's a holiday feast or a special weeknight dinner, this Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack with Cowboy Butter Sauce is a guaranteed hit. The rich flavors of the lamb and cowboy butter create a memorable culinary experience. Explore the possibilities of this recipe and make it your own. For an unforgettable feast, serve it alongside our Oven-Roasted Vegetables with Garlic and Herbs.

    Oven-Roasted Lamb with Cowboy Butter Sauce

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What's the best temperature for cooking lamb rack?

    Medium-rare (135°F) is ideal for juicy, tender lamb, make sure to use a meat thermometer to check. 

    Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

    Fresh herbs offer the best flavor, but use ⅓ the amount if substituting dried herbs. 

    Can I make the cowboy butter ahead of time?

    Yes, it can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Heat in the microwave before serving.

    What can I serve with lamb rack? 

    Oven-Roasted Vegetables with Garlic and Herbs is the perfect choice.

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Room Temperature Matters: Let the lamb come to room temperature before cooking for even cooking. 
    • Don't Overcook: Lamb is best medium-rare. Use a thermometer and remove it a few degrees early, as it will continue to cook while resting. 
    • Sauce on the Side: Serve some cowboy butter on the side for dipping.
    • Leftovers: Use leftover lamb in salads, sandwiches, or shepherd's pie.

    Other Great Meats for the Main Course

    • Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Holiday Ham
    • Balsamic Braised Short Ribs
      Balsamic and Rosemary Braised Short Ribs with Cranberries
    • Rib Roast with the side dishes.
      Perfect Rib Roast: Simple Elegance for Any Occasion
    • Dry Brined Spatchcock turkey
      Dry Brined Spatchcock Turkey
    • Brown Sugar Orange Glazed Ham.
      Easy Brown Sugar Orange Glazed Ham
    • Roast Duck with Cranberry-Orange Glaze
      Roast Duck with Cranberry-Orange Glaze
    • Fall-Off-the-Bone Oven Baked Ribs
      Fall-Off-the-Bone Oven-Baked Ribs
    • Brined & Roasted Turkey Breast and Thighs
      Brined & Roasted Turkey Breast and Thighs

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    Oven-Roasted Lamb with Cowboy Butter Sauce

    Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack with Cowboy Butter Sauce

    Susan Ensley
    Make restaurant-quality Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack with Cowboy Butter Sauce at home! This easy recipe features tender lamb & a flavorful herb butter.
    5 from 6 votes
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    Prep Time 1 hour hr
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Resting Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Christmas, Easter, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 935 kcal

    Equipment

    • Quarter Sheet Pan with Roasting Rack
    • aluminum foil
    • Mini Food Processor
    • small saucepan
    • cutting board
    • Small Whisk

    Ingredients

    For the Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack

    • 1 Rack of Lamb (with 8-9 ribs) frenched
    • ½ c Olive Oil
    • 2 tbs Fresh Rosemary minced
    • 2 teaspoon Fresh Thyme minced
    • 6-8 cloves Garlic minced
    • 1 Lemon zested
    • Kosher Salt
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    For the Cowboy Butter Sauce

    • 8 tbs Unsalted Butter
    • 4-6 cloves Garlic minced
    • 1 Lemon zested & juiced
    • 1 tbs Dijon Mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon Paprika
    • ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
    • 2 tbs Fresh Parsley minced
    • 1 tbs Fresh Chives minced
    • 2 teaspoon Fresh Thyme minced
    • ¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
    • Kosher Salt
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    Instructions
     

    To Make the Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack

    • Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a quarter-sheet pan with aluminum foil and place an oven-proof rack inside the pan, set the pan aside until ready to use.
    • Remove the lamb from the refrigerator and dry it with paper towels. Place it on a large plate and generously season it with a few pinches of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
    • In a small food processor, add the olive oil, freshly minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest. Place the top on the food processor and blend everything for about a minute until a smooth paste forms.
    • Then, generously smear the herb rub all over the lamb rack using your hands. Set it aside for about an hour to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
    • Lay the lamb, fat side up, on the wire rack in the prepared pan. Bake in a 450°F oven for 15 minutes.
    • After 15 minutes, rotate the pan to 180° in the oven and roast for another 10 minutes for medium-rare1 or 15 minutes for medium-done.
    • Remove the pan from the oven and allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes. Transfer the lamb rack to a cutting board and, cutting between the ribs, cut it into individual chops.

    To Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce

    • Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Then add the freshly minced garlic, and whisk to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
    • Add the lemon juice, zest, Dijon mustard, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Whisk vigorously to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Then, remove from the heat.
    • Add the freshly minced parsley, chives, rosemary, crushed red pepper flakes, and a couple pinches of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk vigorously to combine.
    • Transfer the Cowboy Butter to a ramekin and serve warm alongside the Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack.
    • Yield 4 servings

    Tips/Notes

    1. Medium-rare meat has an internal temperature of 135°, medium is 140°.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 935kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 20gFat: 93gSaturated Fat: 37gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 43gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 392mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1165IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack with Cowboy Butter Sauce
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