Seasonal lamb is delicious! Much loved with mint sauce, gravy, and all the trimmings, a roasted lamb dinner is a feast fit for royalty and one that’s much loved by families all around the world.
But as for your leftovers, can you reheat lamb and enjoy it another day? Yes, you can!
To reheat lamb, for best results, pop the lamb into a casserole dish, add some liquid, cover and then reheat for around 15 minutes, depending on the size and cut of meat.
How to Reheat Lamb
There are two simple ways to reheat lamb. You can do so in the oven or the microwave. Ultimately, you can opt for either method, as it largely depends on how much time you have available.
To help you decide which to opt for, we explain both methods in detail below.
How to Reheat Lamb in the Oven
Reheating lamb in the oven provides you with the best chance of replicating its taste and texture when it was fresh out of the oven or grill the first time around. Below are the necessary steps for reheating lamb in the oven:
- Preheat Oven
Begin by switching on your oven and setting the temperature to 180C or 350F. - Prepare the Lamb
Place your lamb in a suitably sized casserole dish, lying each piece next to one another (as opposed to on top). They should be in one single layer. - Add Liquid
If you have some minted gravy left over, add enough so that it will soak the lamb you’re reheating, and there’s a shallow amount of liquid at the bottom of the dish. - Cover
Place the lid on your casserole dish. If you don’t have a lid, use tin foil to seal the dish. - Reheat
Place the lamb in the centre of your oven. The cooking time depends upon the type of lamb you’re reheating, as well as the quantity. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend removing the lamb after fifteen minutes to check the temperature before returning it to the oven if required. - Check the Temperature
When you’re reheating lamb, you must wait until it’s at least 75C or 165F before serving it. - Serve and Enjoy
As soon as your lamb is up to temperature, it’s ready to serve with your chosen accompaniment.
How to Reheat Lamb in the Microwave
If you’d prefer to reheat your lamb in a matter of minutes, you can opt to do so in the microwave. While it might not taste as succulent and flavoursome, it will still reheat your lamb sufficiently.
Here’s how to go about it:
- Place the Lamb in a Microwave-Safe Dish
Add your lamb to a shallow microwave-safe dish, being careful not to lay the pieces on one another. - Add Moisture
Coat your lamb in the moisture of your choice, but the more flavoursome, the better. Leftover gravy is ideal, but you could also prepare some broth instead. - Cover
Using some microwave-safe wrap, cover your lamb well before placing it in the microwave. This is an important step, as it will help the meat retain its moisture during the reheating process. - Reheat
On your microwave’s medium setting, reheat the lamb in ninety-second intervals, removing it each time to check the temperature. - Check the Temperature
When you’re reheating lamb, you must wait until it’s at least 75C or 165F before serving it. - Serve and Enjoy
When your lamb has reached the required temperature, your job is done, and it’s time to enjoy it!
How to Reheat Lamb Successfully
Reheating lamb isn’t difficult (especially if you add a little moisture) but if you want to ensure you have complete success, check out these 3 tips:
- Don’t Reheat Lamb Whole – If you have a large piece of lamb, it’s much better to slice it up before reheating it, whether it’s a rack or a steak. This will make the reheating process much easier and ensures your lamb will be reheated evenly.
- Moisten Lamb Before Reheating It – One of the biggest challenges you face when reheating lamb is that it might dry out. To combat this, consider reheating your lamb in gravy or a broth, which will enhance its flavour and prevent your lamb from drying out during the reheating process.
- Freeze It – If you don’t plan to eat your leftover lamb within a couple of days, wrap it well and place it in the freezer. This will preserve it for several months and means you don’t have to worry about wasting it.
Is It Safe to Reheat Lamb?
Yes, it’s absolutely safe to reheat lamb.
When you’re storing leftover meat, however, you need to keep it in the fridge or freezer. Leaving lamb to sit out at room temperature for longer than an hour or so will cause it to go bad, and harmful bacteria could grow on its surface.
Also, when you’re reheating lamb, you must ensure it is at a temperature of 75C or 165F before eating it.
Reheating Lamb FAQs
If you have further questions about reheating lamb then check these out:
Lamb curry can be reheated in a pot on the stove over a low heat. You don’t want to boil the curry as this can ruin the flavour and could also lead to the bottom of the curry becoming burnt. Instead, warm it slowly over a low heat and stir it regularly to ensure it is evenly distributed.
Yes, lamb can be reheated in a hot air fryer in just 4 minutes without the need for adding any liquid. Because it is such a fast, high heat, the reheating process is quick enough to prevent the meat from drying out.
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
