Tikka Masala Marinated American Butterflied Leg of Lamb

Sizzle into summer with Tikka Masala Marinated American Butterflied Leg of Lamb! Juicy, spice-packed, and grilled to perfection, this dish brings bold Indian flavors to your BBQ.

***This post is in partnership with the American Lamb Board. As always, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.***

Hello, summer! 

One of the many perks about summer is bidding adieu to my kitchen oven and making all my meals on the outside grill. There is nothing better than walking into my backyard, firing up the grill, cooking a delicious meal, and having zero dishes to wash. 

Well, today’s recipe is a new go-to meal in our household. This Tikka Masala Marinated American Butterflied Leg of Lamb may sound like a mouthful, but I assure you it’s a breeze to make. With a simple ready-to-go-sauce this meal comes together quickly and can feed an impromptu party crowd in a moment’s notice. 

In case you are looking for more lamb recipe inspiration don’t sleep on these favorites: Grilled Jerk American Lamb Loin Chops, American Lamb Sirloin Chop Caprese Sliders, or Grilled Steakhouse Lamb Pizza.

Why Use American Lamb

I used American Lamb in this recipe because their nutrient-rich leg of lamb is ideal for making a lot of dishes especially magnificent when infused with Indian inspired flavors. Aside from the fact that they are one of the most delicious types of protein out there, they also have an array of essential nutrients such as zinc, selenium, and B12. 

What is Tikka Masala 

Tikka Masala is a popular Indian-inspired dish known for its rich, creamy, and mildly spiced tomato-based sauce. It typically features marinated, grilled meat (often chicken or lamb ) served in a flavorful sauce. It’s the perfect sauce to marinate lamb and brings out the full richness of the protein. 

Ingredients Used to Make Tikka Masala Marinated American Butterflied Leg of Lamb 

This easy recipe calls for simple ingredients but packs quite a punch flavor-wise! Comes together quickly and can be made ahead of time for easier prep!

• 4 lbs butterflied American leg of lamb
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste
• Favorite Tikki Masala sauce 
• To serve with: Red onions, Quarter Tomatoes, Cucumber Raita, Naan bread 

How to Make Tikka Masala Marinated American Butterflied Leg of Lamb 

• Place American lamb on a large baking sheet. Next, take the tikki masala and gently rub the sauce all over the lamb followed by kosher salt and pepper. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour minimum to overnight for best results. 
• Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees. While the smoker heats, unwrap your lamb and set it on the counter to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Once the smoker has reached ready temp place the lamb leg on the smoker. Cook it for about an hour and half flipping midway until an internal thermometer reads 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll need to let the lamb rest for a minimum of 3 minutes to finish cooking. 
• Once the lamb has rested, slice and place onto a serving platter. Feel free to serve with grilled onions, blistered, tomatoes, cucumber raita and Naan bread. 
• If you don’t have a smoker you can simply grill the butterflied leg of lamb. Set the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the lamb for about 10 minutes on each side and remove lamb from the grill to allow for the 3 minute rest before slicing and serving. 

Helpful Tips

USDA recommends that butterflied leg of lamb be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 145 degrees with a 3 minute rest. Use a food thermometer to make sure that you are cooking the meat right.

To have perfectly cooked lamb meat, make sure that it is at room temperature before cooking. 

Storing Notes: You can store the lamb leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. Simply reheat on the stovetop or warm gently on the grill. 

Psssssst! Have you heard the FUN NEWS?

As a Patio Party Planner, I love cooking with lamb for all my backyard parties during summer. Well, the folks at American Lamb are looking to crown Grill-Off Masters. What does that mean?

Over the summer they sent 12 hosts – 3 pros and 9 amateurs on a mission to throw the ultimate American Lamb party. From lamb-loaded backyard bashes to grilled feasts deep in the wilderness, these hosts pulled out all the stops.

Now, they need your vote to help decide who will win the grand title of Grill-off Master. All you have to do is go to https://americanlamb.com/ and cast your vote: 

How It Works:
Cast ONE vote for your favorite Amateur Host
Cast ONE vote for your favorite Pro Host
That’s it! You’ll be automatically entered to win a summer hosting prize matched to your party personality.

The best part? You have a chance to win a prize yourself! 

Prizes for Voters:
Yeti Cast Iron Skillet – For the rugged Outdoor Adventurer
Yeti Tote + Water Bottle – For the active Fit Foodie
Le Creuset Hosting Set – For the polished Patio Party Planner