Seasoning Lamb Meat - How to Season Lamb Meat

Perhaps, one of the biggest challenges when it comes to cooking lamb is how to season the meat. There are even a lot of people who do not take at all the challenge to cook it because they do not know what the right seasoning lamb techniques are. However, it is easy: The most basic seasoning that are being used are salt and pepper. But there are still a lot of different ingredients that you can use for cooking lamb. Let’s find out which ones. They will all depend on the cuisine that you are after.

The most common lamb dishes are the ones from India. Indians make use of a large set of different spices known in Western countries as curry powder. These spices, however, should be applied with care, as they might be stronger than the typical and enjoyable lamb flavor itself. Mutton has a stronger flavor and curry is an ideal seasoning for this type of meat.

If you will be using oregano and garlic, then you will be using the flavors of Greece. There are also other dishes that can reflect the cooking style of the United States. An ample example would be the use of jalapenos, which will produce the taste of the Southwest. California lamb dishes are seasoned with garlic and fresh thyme.

Typical Seasoning for Lamb

Aside from the ones already mentioned, there are still several other herbs and spices that can be used for seasoning mutton. Here are the most common ingredients:

Rosemary

There are many stories, superstitions and myths that surround the practical use of this herb. But the most popular association with it is remembrance. Throughout the years, people use the herb to indicate a special bond of love or friendship. In fact, there are still some countries that place a rosemary sprig in the hands of their deceased prior his burial. Combining this herb with others is a good idea but it still has a tendency to dominate over the other flavors. So it should be handled with care. Nevertheless, Rosemary is a good choice for red meat, even for prime quality beef, such as filet mignon. When using fresh rosemary sprigs, the leaves must be stripped from its main branch. This can be done by holding its tip before pulling down the leaves on the opposite direction than they grow in. Before adding to a recipe, chop the leaves. You can still use the stem on barbecue coals in order to get extra aroma.

Mint

When one mentions the word, the listener automatically imagines something cool and refreshing. In fact, this herb is being used in drinks that are known to quench the thirst during a hot summer’s day. Italians may use it to add a fresh note to their pesto recipes. It is also being used in chewing gum, toothpaste and mouthwash products in order for the person using it to have a cool feeling afterwards.

But using mint is not only limited to just these products. There are several Indian lamb dishes that make use of the herb. For this, it is important to know that there are several different varieties of this herb: apple, chocolate, spearmint, pineapple, peppermint, Bergamont orange, basil, Egyptian, Persian, Ginger, and Corsican mint. The specific type of mint being used in lamb dishes is the Bergamont. Other names for this mint include lemon, orange or the eau de cologne mint. It has a sweet citrusy, lavender aroma and taste. Commonly, it is being used as flavoring for lamb, fish, teas or ice beverages. It can also be used to scent perfumes and soaps.

Curry

Among all the seasonings, curry is the one which is most diverse. This is because it is a blend of different spices and it comes in infinite varieties, each containing various spices. While there are some versions that are sweet, there are also others that are nothing but spicy. If you look to get the highest quality curry, then typically Maharajah curry powder is recommended. This is a sweet yellow seasoning with cardamom and whole saffron threads. There is also a Thai version of this which is hotter. It is composed of galangal and lemongrass.

To get a Mediterranean taste, the curry powder to be used is Ras El Hanout. For a Northern Indian style, the Garam Masala is a good seasoning. The image to the right shows several spices basic for curry (Source: Wikpedia).

Using Seasoning for Your Lamb Dish

After you have chosen the right herbs and spices to use for your lamb dish, you can start rubbing in the seasoning mixture before you broil or roast the meat. You can also insert garlic slivers on the small slits of the meat. There are some dishes that make use of a marinade instead of a dry rub. It is a good idea to use wine or dry sherry along with the herbs and spices that you have chosen.

These herbs and spices all add aroma, flavor, and color to the meat. You can always experiment with different flavors as long as you keep care and do not overdo it. If you are still unsure how to season your lamb recipe best, you might want to try some of our recipes first.