How to guide: Lamb steak
Lamb steak is popular for a reason: it’s easy to cook, goes well with almost everything and tastes amazing. A well-cooked lamb steak can pack as much flavour as anything.
Below, we discuss how to cook a lamb steak, how to store it and the best recipes using lamb steak.
To learn more about lamb steak cuts, visit our interactive lamb cut guide.
Where to buy lamb steak?
Boneless lamb leg steak
There are different types of lamb steaks. Lamb leg steak is a popular choice at many butchers shops and supermarkets. The leg steaks can be boneless or come with the bone intact, and usually weigh around 150g each. The bone-in steaks are cut from the centre of the leg and contain a small bone in the centre of each steak. You can also ask your butcher to cut your steak from the topside of lamb. You can usually buy lamb steaks in packs of two, four or six.
Other lamb steaks include valentine steak and chump steak.
How do you spot the best lamb steak, however? Well, there are a few tell-tale signs a lamb leg steak is good quality:
- A firm, slightly pink, moist meat with a fine-grained texture throughout the steak
- A creamy white fat layer that is firm and slightly crumbly
- A fine 'marbling' of fat throughout the steak. Marbling is the visible flecks and streaks of white fat that run through the muscle. During cooking these break down to add that extra flavour to your steak
How to store lamb steak
Lamb steaks must be stored in the fridge at 5°c or below for up to 2 - 3 days (check your fridge is cold enough by using a fridge thermometer) and for up to 4 - 6 months in the freezer at -18°C.
To store, place the loose lamb steaks into a plastic bag or food container and leave them towards the bottom of the fridge. To freeze, place them towards the middle of the freezer away from the sides to avoid freezer burn. Defrost in the bottom section of the fridge overnight, then cook as required.
How to cook lamb steak
There are two primary ways to cook lamb steak: pan-frying and grilling. Cooking times change depending on whether you want your lamb steak medium or well-done, but both pan-frying and grilling deliver juicy, succulent lamb steak.
Pan-Frying Lamb Steak
To pan-fry lamb steak, do the following:
- Remove the lamb leg steak from the fridge at least 20 minutes before cooking to bring them up to room temperature
- Heat a non-stick pan with oil until hot
- Season the steak with salt, pepper and anything else you need for the recipe and rub in well
- Add the lamb steak to the pan. Cook on both sides for around 6-8 minutes on each side, until caramelised. Use tongs to turn the steak
- Test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer if you have one. For lamb leg steaks aim for 63 - 70°C for medium to well done (depending on the thickness of the steak)
- Remove from the pan, rest on a warm plate for a few minutes and serve. It is important to let it rest as it improves the tenderness and juiciness of the meat. After cooking the proteins relax and the juice travels back to the centre of the meat
Although cooking steak is relatively easy, you may need a few run-throughs to find your ideal cooking time.
Grilling Lamb Steak
Grilling lamb steak is just as simple. To grill, follow the below guide:
- Season your lamb leg steaks
- Heat up a grill, lined with foil to HIGH and place the lamb steaks on them
- Cook for roughly 6-8 minutes on each side using tongs
- Much like pan-frying, cook to an internal temperature aim for 63 - 70°C for medium to well done (depending on the thickness of the steak)
- Remove from grill, rest on a warm plate for a few minutes and serve. Letting the steak rest improves its tenderness and juiciness because after cooking the proteins relax and the steak can reabsorb the juices back to the centre of the meat
The Best Lamb Steak Recipes
Discover more
Now that you know how to cook lamb steak, it’s time to learn what to do with it. Discover our lamb steak recipe collection to learn what to cook lamb steak with.
Lamb steaks are tasty all year round, so we have ideas from wholesome cooked dinners to light summer salads to keep you inspired.
If you’re hungry for more, check out our recipe page for cooking ideas from around the globe.
