Kleftiko (Slow-Roasted Greek Lamb with Lemon and Potatoes)
Local name: Κλέφτικο
In short: Lamb baked slowly in a sealed parcel with potatoes, lemon, garlic and oregano, so it falls off the bone in its own juices. It takes about 4 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 3 h 50 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 4 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 635 kcal
Kleftiko is lamb baked very slowly in a sealed parcel with potatoes, lemon, garlic and oregano until it falls off the bone. The parcel traps the steam, so the meat cooks in its own juices and the potatoes soak up the lemony oil. It is a festive dish for family tables, Easter and Sunday lunches. Opening the parcel for the last bake browns the lamb and potatoes.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 160°C (325°F). Cut 16 small slits in the lamb and push a garlic piece into each. Rub the meat with 2 tablespoons of oil, the oregano, salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, toss the potatoes, onions, pepper and tomatoes with the 100 ml of oil, lemon juice, wine, oregano, bay, salt and pepper.
- Lay a double sheet of foil about 90 cm (3 feet) long on a deep roasting tray and cover it with a sheet of baking paper. Pile the vegetables in the center and set the lamb on top. Tuck the feta around the meat.
- Fold the paper and foil over and crimp the edges tightly to make a sealed parcel. Roast for 3 hours 30 minutes, until the lamb is tender enough to pull from the bone with a fork.
- Raise the oven to 200°C (400°F). Carefully open the top of the parcel, letting the steam escape away from you, and roast for 15 to 20 minutes to brown the lamb and potatoes.
- Rest for 10 minutes, then spoon the juices over the lamb and serve with lemon wedges and a green salad.
Tips
- Seal the parcel tightly. If steam escapes during cooking, the lamb dries out, so add a splash of water inside if it looks dry when you check.
- Lamb shoulder is more forgiving than leg and gives richer juices. Cook it 3 hours at 170°C (340°F) if you want a quicker version.
Questions and answers
What does kleftiko mean?
The name is linked to the klephts, bandits who, according to legend, cooked stolen lamb in sealed pits so the smoke would not give them away. Today it means lamb baked in a sealed parcel.
Can I make kleftiko in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook it on low for 8 hours, then crisp the potatoes and lamb in a hot oven for 15 minutes, since a slow cooker does not brown the food.
How do I know when kleftiko is done?
The meat should pull away from the bone with a fork and the potatoes should be soft. Well-cooked lamb leg reads about 90°C (195°F).
How long does it take to make Kleftiko (Slow-Roasted Greek Lamb with Lemon and Potatoes)?
About 4 h 20 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 3 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kleftiko (Slow-Roasted Greek Lamb with Lemon and Potatoes)?
About 635 kcal per serving, with 45 g of protein, 39 g of carbohydrates and 33 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 635 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 45 g |
| Carbohydrates | 39 g |
| Fat | 33 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
