Mechoui

Mechoui
Morocco
⏱ — min. Serves: —

Ingredients

  • 1 whole lamb (about 4-5 kg), cleaned and butterflied
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

Prepare the Marinade

In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice to form a paste.

Marinate the Lamb

Rub the spice paste all over the lamb, making sure to cover it evenly.

Cover the lamb with plastic wrap or place it in a large resealable bag, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate.

Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you are using an oven. Alternatively, you can prepare a grill or barbecue for cooking the lamb.

If using an oven, place the marinated lamb on a roasting rack set inside a baking tray.

Roasting or Grilling

Oven: Roast the lamb in the preheated oven for about 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. Baste occasionally with the drippings from the pan.

Grill/Barbecue: Grill the lamb over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the meat is tender and has a nice char on the outside. This should take about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Rest and Serve

Remove the lamb from the oven or grill and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes before carving.

Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Enjoy your meal!