Lamb is probably not the most popular meat around. Its lack of widespread appeal may be because generations of people raised on chicken tenders are unaccustomed to its intense meatiness. Its strong flavor needs pungent seasonings to tame it and make it enjoyable. The ones that pair best with lamb are those that are known for their robust flavor profiles. Here are some of the best spices for lamb.
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Cumin
The earthy bitterness of cumin goes well with the slightly gamey flavors of lamb. You can use the seeds ground, which is the traditional way, but you can also use them whole. In either case, they will form a crust on the lamb. They will also infuse their flavor into the lamb’s fat as it melts down.
If you are grilling the lamb, cumin’s bitterness will go well with the light char you get from open-flame cooking.
Rosemary
Rosemary is another classic seasoning for lamb, and it brings a powerful resinous note to lamb’s strong flavors. It pairs well with other herbs and spices on this list, including garlic and black pepper. The traditional method involves chopping your rosemary leaves and applying them as a rub for roasted or grilled lamb. You can add whole sprigs or chopped leaves if you are braising the lamb.
Garlic
The strong savory notes of garlic work well with most meats, including lamb. When it comes to lamb, the more garlic you use, the better it will be at competing with the intense flavor of the meat itself. Garlic is a great addition to cumin in that it combines well with its flavor.
Black pepper
Black pepper is the all-purpose savory spice. It can work with all manner of vegetables and meat. Its so versatile that you would have an easier time naming the foods that it doesn’t improve than you would naming those that it does. Black pepper works well with the other seasonings on this list by adding mild heat and a light piney flavor.
Curry powder
If you want a seasoning that captures all of the most important flavors that go well with lamb, curry powder is one of your best options. Curry powder is a spice mix created to make Indian spices appealing to Europeans. The ingredients can vary from blend to blend, but most include fenugreek, turmeric, and cumin, along with other spices commonly used in Indian cuisine. It has always been an all-purpose seasoning option, with lamb dishes among the traditional applications. Curry powder can be used as a dry rub or in stews and other wet dishes.
Oregano
Oregano is another powerful herb that is strong enough to compete with the flavor of lamb. While it might not work alongside every other flavor on this list, it will pair well with the most versatile of them, including garlic and black pepper. Oregano is better suited to Mediterranean-style lamb dishes than to Eastern ones.
Baharat
Like curry powder, baharat is a spice blend that can be used in a variety of applications. Baharat is from the Middle East, and lamb is one of the meats which it is commonly used. Baharat blends vary but typically include cardamom, black pepper, and cloves. In short, it contains spices that are pungent enough to mellow out the flavor of lamb.
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