Greek lamb kleftiko is a traditional Greek dish of slow-roasted lamb cooked in parchment with potatoes and vegetables. This easy recipe shows you how to make fall-apart-tender Greek lamb roast, an impressive dish to feed a crowd!

lamb kleftiko, vegetables and chunks of feta in a roasting pan lined with parchment paper.
Photo Credits: Caitlin Bensel

I'm not new to cooking leg of lamb or lamb roast, but it is something I save for special occasions when I want to bring the "wow factor" to dinner. If you're looking for something to impress your dinner guests, this Greek lamb kleftiko recipe delivers on both taste and presentation.

This foolproof method will give you perfectly tender lamb every time regardless of whether this is your first or 50th time making lamb. The secret to succulent lamb and tender vegetables is cooking everything wrapped in parchment paper. And to make it even easier, I use boneless leg of lamb.

This is is the ultimate in one-pot cooking! I always like a big Greek salad to start the meal. The fresh crisp vegetables are a great way to ease into the rich lamb meat. But kleftiko really is a meal in one so if you don't want to add a salad or don't have time. Don't worry about it; there will still be plenty to eat. I promise!

Table of Contents
  1. What is Kleftiko?
  2. Parchment Paper is Your Secret Weapon
  3. What's in Lamb Kleftiko?
  4. How to Make Kleftiko
  5. What to Serve with Kleftiko
  6. How to Serve and Store Leg of Lamb
  7. More Lamb Recipes
  8. Our Private Reserve EVOO is perfect for Kleftiko!
  9. Kleftiko Recipe (Greek Lamb Cooked in Parchment) Recipe
lamb kleftiko in a bowl with a fork and thyme and dried parsley in the background.

What is Kleftiko?

Kleftiko (or klephtiko) is a celebratory Greek dish of slow-roasted lamb with potatoes and vegetables cooked together in parchment paper until meltingly tender.

In my research, I learned that lamb kleftiko is named for the kelphts, a group of bandits who hid in the mountains of Greece some 500 years ago.

The klephts, according to Encyclopedia Americana, carried on a perpetual war against Turkish rule during the Greek war of independence from 1821 to 1832. During this time, they considered everything belonging to a Turk a "lawful prize" — including food.

The name of this recipe, "lamb kleftiko," literally means stolen lamb. Traditionally, mountain klephts (or klefts) in rural Greece cooked their meat in makeshift earthen ovens. These ovens were basically holes in the ground with branches set over embers. The design trapped the smoke and smell of the food underground so the klefts could go about their business undetected.

Needless to say, slow-roasting meat in an enclosed small space where the steam and heat are trapped for hours will produce the most meltingly tender lamb. Genius! Nowadays, kleftiko is cooked in parchment parcels in the oven.

Parchment Paper is Your Secret Weapon

Not only does parchment protect your pan and for easy clean-up, but when you envelop meat in parchment paper before roasting, it traps the heat and moisture, creating a steam pocket that helps the meat cook gently from the inside. The result is meltingly tender lamb that is never dry!

(If you've tried my fish en papillote recipe, this is the same concept).

ingredients for kleftiko including boneless leg of lamb, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried parsley, kosher salt, black pepper, Dijon mustard, garlic, lemon, red wine vinegar, white wine, olive oil, russet potatoes, bell peppers, red onion, vegetable broth, and feta cheese.

What's in Lamb Kleftiko?

Lamb, vegetables, and the marinade (including seasoning) make up this rustic Greek lamb recipe. As a finishing touch, cheese, such as blocks of feta, is often added. Let's walk through what you need to make this recipe:

  • Lamb: In this recipe, we use boneless leg of lamb. It's available in most grocery stores and a bit easier to work with. You can also use bone-in leg of lamb and allow a bit more time for cooking. Lamb shank or lamb shoulder pieces are also fine options here.
  • Vegetables: Large chunks of potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions. Remember, the vegetables and lamb will cook for hours, that's why size matters.
  • Seasoning and marinade: Garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried parsley, and Dijon mustard with good extra virgin olive oil, white wine, lemon juice, and some broth (vegetable or beef broth is best here). You can also replace the herbs I used with homemade Italian seasoning.
lamb kleftiko and vegetables in a roasting pan.

How to Make Kleftiko

Here is the step-by-step tutorial for how to make this lamb recipe (the print-friendly recipe with ingredient measurements is just below).

  • Season and marinate the lamb. First, remove the fat cap (the top layer of fat off the lamb). From there, your job is to make sure you give the lamb a ton of flavor! Rub the lamb all over with a good bit of fresh garlic and the dried herbs (oregano, thyme, and parsley) with a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper and about 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard. I like to make slits all over the leg of lamb to push the seasoning in. Put the lamb in a big bowl and add a generous drizzle of good olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and ½ cup white wine (this is the marinade in which the lamb will cook). Set the lamb aside for a few minutes while you work on the vegetables.

    uncooked boneless leg of lamb marinating in a bowl.
  • Prepare and Season the Vegetables. Cut the potatoes, red onions, bell peppers (any color you like), and tomatoes into large chunks or wedges. Keep the veggies in big pieces so they can withstand the long cooking time. Seasoned the veggies with the same dried herbs used for the lamb and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper.

    uncooked lamb kleftiko and vegetables in a roasting pan lined with parchment paper.
  • Enclose the veggies and lamb in parchment. You'll need a large roasting pan lined with parchment paper. Make sure the parchment paper lines the bottom of the pan with a big overhang on all sides. Add the veggies. Place the lamb on top of the vegetables then pour the marinade from the bowl over all of it. The vegetables act as a bed for the lamb. Add a little broth, then wrap everything tightly with the parchment. The goal is to fold the parchment over and close tightly to trap the veggies and lamb on all sides.

    lamb kleftiko and vegetables wrapped in parchment paper in a roasting pan.
  • Roast in 375°F heated-oven. Tender lamb kleftiko can take a good 3 ½ to 4 hours in the oven. You can very carefully check with a fork (it should fall apart easily ). Once the lamb is fully cooked, fold the parchment into the inside of the pan and put it under the broiler briefly. This is optional, but it will give the lamb a little more color. This is also when you might add some slabs of feta cheese.
  • REST! Remove the lamb from the oven and let it sit for a good 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
lamb kleftiko and vegetables in a roasting pan with a serving fork.

What to Serve with Kleftiko

What I love most about this lamb and vegetable recipe is that it's a whole meal all in one pan. Nothing else is needed unless you want some crusty bread to go with the tender veggies.

However, if you're hosting a large party and want to add a couple more sides next to your kleftiko, Greek lemon rice and a big salad would not hurt. But you can browse our Greek recipe collection for more ideas!

How to Serve and Store Leg of Lamb

This is a great make-ahead recipe that will keep in the fridge for a good 4 to 5 days. Allow leftovers to cool before refrigerating in a glass container with a tightly-closed lid.

More Lamb Recipes

Browse all Mediterranean recipes.

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Our Private Reserve EVOO is perfect for Kleftiko!

Fruity with a peppery finish, this EVOO comes from the Hinaris Family Estate in Kyparissia, Greece. Grown and processed from 100% native Koroneiki olives!

a bottle of private reserve extra virgin olive oil from the mediterranean dish.
4.95 from 53 votes

Kleftiko Recipe (Greek Lamb Cooked in Parchment)

Suzy Karadsheh
lamb kleftiko, vegetables and chunks of feta in a roasting pan lined with parchment paper.
This recipe is all you need to make the best fall-apart tender lamb kleftiko! This traditional Greek lamb roast is easy to make and perfect for a small crowd.
Prep – 20 minutes
Cook – 3 hours 45 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Cuisine:
Greek
Serves – 8
Course:
Entree

Ingredients
  

  • 1 boneless leg of lamb, about 3 ½ pounds, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 ½ tablespoons dried oregano, divided
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme, divided
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley, divided
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 10 garlic cloves, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup white wine
  • Extra virgin olive oil, I used Greek Private Reserve EVOO
  • 4 to 5 large Russet potatoes, about 3 pounds, peeled and quartered
  • 2 large sweet bell peppers, cored and cut into large chunks (I used red and orange sweet peppers)
  • 2 large tomatoes, cut into thick wedges
  • 1 large red onion, cut into large chunks
  • ½ cup vegetable or beef broth
  • 4 ounces feta cheese, cut into blocks, optional

Instructions
 

  • Season and marinate the lamb. Place the boneless leg of lamb in a large bowl. Using a sharp knife, make a few slits in the boneless leg of lamb. Rub the lamb all over with 2 tablespoons dried oregano and ½ tablespoon each dried thyme and dried parsley. Season well with kosher salt and black pepper on all sides. Then rub with the mustard and the majority of the garlic (reserving 1 tablespoon of the garlic for the vegetables). It’s important to push some of the garlic and seasoning into the slits you’ve cut earlier for best flavor. Transfer the lamb to a large bowl and add the lemon juice, red wine vinegar, white wine and about ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil, turning the lamb in the bowl to make sure it is well coated. Set the lamb aside for a few minutes while working on the vegetables. (But if you do have the time, cover the bowl and refrigerate for a couple hours or up to one night).
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. And position a rack in the middle.
  • Prepare the roasting pan and parchment paper. Line a large roasting pan with two very large pieces of parchment paper, making a cross shape so that you have long pieces of parchment overhang on all sides of the pan (I like to have about 8 inches of parchment overhang on all sides of the pan).
  • Assemble the vegetables and lamb in the pan. Spread the potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions in the bottom of the pan over the parchment. Season with a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper and the remainder of the dried oregano, thyme, and parsley. Sprinkle the remainder of the garlic on top and drizzle with a little olive oil. Add the lamb on top of the vegetables and pour the broth in from the side of the pan.
  • Fold the parchment to cover the lamb and vegetables. Pull parchment paper sides together and tightly crimp them up to fully encase the lamb and vegetables in the parchment parcel.
  • Roast. Place the roasting pan on the center rack of your heated oven and cook for about 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours or until the meat is tender and falls apart easily at the touch of your fork (you can check partway through and add more broth or water, if needed).
  • Brown. Uncover the meat and veggies and fold excess parchment paper into the inside of the pan. If using, add the feta cheese at this point. Raise the heat to 425°F and return the pan to the oven (uncovered) for a few more minutes until the lamb and vegetables gain some color (about 15 to 20 minutes) to 425°F to allow the meat and veggies to brown).
  • Let rest. Once ready, allow the lamb kleftiko to sit for about 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
  • Serve. Pull the meat apart using two forks to shred. Serve the lamb in bowls over the vegetables!

Video

Notes

  • To work ahead and for best flavor, marinate the lamb in the fridge for a couple of hours or up to one night in advance. Bring it closer to room temperature before cooking.
  • Bone-in leg of lamb will take longer to cook
  • Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams and spices.

Nutrition

Calories: 327.1kcalCarbohydrates: 27.6gProtein: 31.3gFat: 9.1gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.8gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 92.6mgSodium: 403.1mgPotassium: 1030.8mgFiber: 3.7gSugar: 3.7gVitamin A: 1332.3IUVitamin C: 51.6mgCalcium: 146.5mgIron: 4.9mg
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I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I'm all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you're here...
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Comments

  1. Irene says:

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to make this. It looks delicious.

  2. Irene says:

    5 stars
    I love your recipes, Suzy!! Can I make this recipe but with two legs of lamb to feed a crowd? How would I adjust seasonings and time?

    1. Suzy Karadsheh says:

      Hi, Irene. You can simply double the ingredients here to match the doubling of the lamb. Since we've not tested this recipe using 2 boneless legs of lamb, we can't exactly advise on the timing. It would be best to check at that 3.5 hour mark, keep a close eye periodically after, and adjust the time as needed.

  3. Russ says:

    4 stars
    This dish was delicious. The ingredients listed red wine vinegar, but that ingredient wasn't mentioned in the instructions. I assumed it should be added to the marinade. Have you tried making this in a Dutch oven? Seems like it would provide the same moist environment that the parchment does and would be simpler.

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Russ. Yes, the red wine vinegar is added in step 1 with the other marinade ingredients. We haven't tested this one in a dutch oven... only the parchment paper method, so I'm not sure if that would give you the same results.

    2. Patti says:

      3 stars
      I would assume a dutch oven would work equally as well as the parchment imo

  4. Helen says:

    5 stars
    Can you bake this in its entirety the night before and reheat to serve? I would like to make this for Christmas!

  5. Wicker says:

    Can this be cooked in a slow cooker

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Wicker. Yes, that should work!

      1. Wicker says:

        Many thx would you still wrap in parchment if it was cooked in a slow cooker?

      2. TMD Team says:

        Nope :). The slow cooker will help maintain the heat and the moisture on its own.

  6. Jane says:

    5 stars
    I had a shoulder of lamb to use so I took off the meat and made this dish…is was sensational! The house smelt amazing too. I must admit to adding some finely chopped fresh rosemary too. Served with bread and green beans and a sprinkling of freshly chopped mint over the lamb and vegetables. I have the family’s approval to keep this recipe. Love you blog Suzy. From Jane in Australia.

    1. TMD Team says:

      So glad you enjoyed it, Jane!

  7. Jean White says:

    5 stars
    I like lamb pink or rare. Will this method allow this?

  8. Laura says:

    How long should you cook for bone in?

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Lauren. Bone-in lamb will take just a bit longer to cook. Unfortunately, we don't have an exact time for you, as it's not something we've tested with this recipe. If you give it a try, please stop back and share your thoughts!

  9. Jean White says:

    5 stars
    I have not made this yet but it is on my immediate list. Just want to say I can always find inspiration for wonderful new takes on delicious meals. I utterly love your posts. Thank you!

    1. TMD Team says:

      You are very sweet, Jean. Thank you!

  10. Rosalie says:

    5 stars
    Dear Suzy, I love your passion for cooking, and enthusiastic presentations. Thank you for sharing your healthy, delicious dishes.
    Watching you is most enjoyable!

  11. Jane C says:

    Hi Suzy, could I make this in a slow cooker?

    1. Catherine says:

      This recipe looks delicious but is it right? 3-4 hours in an oven at 375 degrees seems too long.

      1. TMD Team says:

        That is what worked for us, but ovens do vary. If you know your oven runs hot, just keep a close eye on the lamb.

    2. TMD Team says:

      Sure, Jane. We think that would totally work!

  12. Jean says:

    Hi. Could this be cooked in a slow or pressure cooker. If so what will be the timings

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Jean. Both would work here. We've never tried ourselves, though, with this particular recipe, so it's hard to advise on the exact timing. I recommend taking a look at the recipe book/instruction manual for whichever you choose to use for some guidance.

    2. Christopher Smith says:

      I plan to make this and marinate overnight. Once marinated, do you disgard marinate or use to mix with broth? I would like to use if recommended rather than disgard. Or can I reserve and reheat the marinade as a drizzle for the final dish to add a little extra moistness?

      1. TMD Team says:

        Hi, Christopher. You'll want to add the marinade after you assemble the vegetables and lamb in the pan (right before you close up the parchment wrap). You don't want to reserve and reheat to add at the end. The marinade needs to be fully cooked along with the lamb for food safety reasons.

  13. Wendy Gerster says:

    5 stars
    Sounds great, but doesn´t the lamb (and the veggies?) get cold while it´s resting?

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Wendy. Not in our experience. Hope you give the recipe a try!

  14. Deborah says:

    5 stars
    Love all your recipes !! Do yo know where I can buy the round pan you use All my Greek friends have one but they have had them for so long they can’t remember where they bought them

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Deborah! The baking pan Suzy uses in her video here is from All-Clad.

  15. Carmen says:

    How do you get that large a piece parchment paper?

  16. Leslie Mathis says:

    Suzy,
    Could I use beef for this recipe instead of lamb, like a boneless rump roast. Family not crazy about lamb. The recipe looks amazing.
    Thanks

    1. TMD Team says:

      Sure! I think that would work just fine!