How to cook lamb steaks

Lamb steaks are a premium cut of meat with a deep and tasty flavour and tender texture when cooked properly. You can cook them in under 30 minutes, making them ideal for a quick date night meal or even a midweek tea.

Lamb steaks can be fried, oven-cooked or even done in the air fryer, to suit you.

Discover how to prepare and cook lamb steaks in our butcher’s guide to cooking lamb steaks for top tips and advice.

What is a lamb steak?

Lamb steak is a thick cut of lamb, typically taken from the leg or shoulder. They usually have the bone in but this can be removed.

Lamb steaks have a rich and distinctive flavour that works well with the likes of mint, rosemary, simple salt and pepper, mustard and many more.

Lamb steaks are cooked quickly, usually cooked in under 30 minutes, depending on how you cook them.

How to prepare lamb steaks

Before cooking, you should rest your lamb steaks at room temperature for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This will ensure the optimal texture and help prevent the steaks from becoming chewy.

Pat your steaks dry with a piece of kitchen roll before seasoning generously with sea salt on both sides of the steak.

If you’re marinating the meat, do it at this stage at room temperature.

How to cook lamb steaks so they’re tender

Lamb steaks can be fried, baked in the oven, cooked in the air fryer, barbecued and more. All cooking times will vary slightly depending on the thickness of your steaks.

Pan-fried lamb steaks

Pan-frying is one of the most popular ways to cook lamb steaks. It’s quick and gives you a delicious texture to the meat.

Start by heating your oil in a heavy-based pan at a high heat. Choose an oil with a high smoke point, like rapeseed oil or vegetable oil.

Once the oil is hot, cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Turn the steak and repeat the cooking process.

Add a knob of butter to the pan and baste the steak for 1 to 2 minutes.

Your steaks should feel soft to the touch to ensure they’re not overcooked.

How long to cook lamb steaks in the oven

To oven cook lamb steaks, preheat your oven to 200°C. Drizzle oil on both sides of the steaks and season generously.

Add the steaks to the oven in an ovenproof dish or roasting tin. The time varies depending on your desired finish.

• Medium-rare – 14-16 minutes
• Medium – 17-20 minutes
• Well done – 21+ minutes

If you really want to enhance the flavour, you can pan-fry your steaks before cooking to sear the meat. This takes 1 to 2 minutes on each side of the steak.

How long to cook lamb steaks in the air fryer?

Love them or hate them, air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook, even lamb. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C and drizzle your lamb steaks with oil.

Add directly to the air fryer basket and cook for the following times depending on your desired finish:

• Medium-rare – 4-5 minutes
• Medium – 6-7 minutes
• Well done – 8+ minutes

Turn your lamb steaks halfway through the cooking.

Like with oven cooking, you can pan-sear your lamb steaks before cooking in the air fryer.

Barbecue lamb steaks

Lamb steaks make a delicious addition to a barbecue. Drizzle them with oil with a high smoke point, then heat your grill. Cook on the hottest part of the barbecue for the best results.

Follow the barbecue cooking times on each side below for the best results:

• Medium-rare – 3-4 minutes
• Medium – 5-6 minutes
• Well done – 7+ minutes

Lamb steak FAQs

Do you need to rest lamb steaks?

Yes, you should rest lamb steaks for at least 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the moisture to redistribute, enhancing the texture.

What to serve with lamb steaks?

Lamb steaks work well with sautéed veg, potatoes, couscous or even chips.

How do I know a lamb steak is cooked?

Lamb steaks are usually served medium rare for the best flavour. They will be soft to the touch when stabbed with a sharp knife. If you have a meat thermometer, ensure they reach at least 60°C. Anything over 70°C will be well done and impact the taste.