Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb with Red Wine Sauce

If you’re looking for a dish that’s elegant, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make at home, this Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb delivers on all fronts. With its golden garlicky crust, juicy pink center, and simple red wine pan sauce, it’s the kind of meal that feels restaurant-worthy — without the stress.

Perfect for holiday dinners, date night in, small dinner parties, or when you simply want to treat yourself to something special, this lamb recipe will quickly become your go-to for any occasion that deserves a little extra love on the plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Elegant but approachable – looks impressive, but it's easy to pull off

• Customizable – works with fresh or dried herbs, and can be paired with many sides

• Big flavor – garlic, rosemary, and a crispy panko crust take it to the next level

• Ready in under an hour – most of the time is passive roasting

How to Make Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Season the lamb generously with salt and pepper.

3. Sear the lamb in a hot skillet, fat side down, until browned (2–3 minutes per side).

4. Mix the crust: Combine panko, herbs, garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.

5. Brush lamb with Dijon mustard and press on the herb crust.

6. Roast for 20–25 minutes for medium-rare (internal temp of 130–135°F), then rest 10 minutes.

7. Slice between the bones and serve with your favorite sides and sauce.

Easy Red Wine Pan Sauce

While the lamb rests, use the same skillet (with all the browned bits!) to make a quick sauce:

1. Sauté shallots or garlic in the pan drippings.

2. Add red wine and scrape the bottom of the pan.

3. Simmer until reduced by half.

4. Whisk in butter and a splash of vinegar or Dijon to finish.

5. Spoon over sliced lamb.

What to Serve With Rack of Lamb

This dish pairs beautifully with:

• Truffle mashed potatoes or creamy Parmesan polenta

• Roasted rainbow carrots or asparagus

• A crisp glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah

Want to keep it lighter? Serve it over a garlicky white bean purée or with a bright arugula salad.

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb with Red Wine Sauce

Yield 4

Author Kim Alexander

Prep time

15 Min

Cook time

25 Min

Rest Time

10 Min

Total time

50 Min

Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

For the Lamb:

• 1 or 2 racks of lamb, Frenched (8 ribs per rack)
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Pan Sauce (Optional):

• 1/2 cup red wine
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp shallots or garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Dijon or balsamic vinegar
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season lamb with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Sear fat-side down in a hot skillet with olive oil until browned, 2–3 minutes per side.
4. In a bowl, mix panko, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, and olive oil until it resembles wet sand.
5. Brush lamb with Dijon mustard, then press the herb mixture evenly over the surface.
6. Roast in the oven for 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 130–135°F for medium-rare.
7. Rest lamb for 10 minutes before slicing between ribs.

Red Wine Pan Sauce (Optional)

1. In the same pan, sauté shallots or garlic for 1 minute.
2. Deglaze with red wine and simmer until reduced by half.
3. Whisk in butter and a splash of vinegar or Dijon.
4. Season to taste, then spoon over sliced lamb.

Notes

Suggested Pairings:

• Truffle mashed potatoes
• Roasted rainbow carrots or asparagus
• Glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah

Tips:

• No fresh herbs? Substitute with dried — use 1/3 of the amount.
• Letting the lamb rest is key for juicy, even slices.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

661

Fat

56 g

Sat. Fat

24 g

Carbs

12 g

Fiber

2 g

Net carbs

10 g

Sugar

2 g

Protein

20 g

Sodium

381 mg

Cholesterol

110 mg

Similar Recipes

Perfect Pan-Seared Lamb Rib Chops with Garlic Herb Butter

The Ultimate Surf and Turf with Garlic Herb Butter, Mashed Potatoes & Roasted Asparagus

Simple Steak & Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe – A Restaurant-Style Dinner in 30 Minutes

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @HomeCookVibe on instagram and hashtag it #homecookblog

This herb-crusted rack of lamb has become one of my go-to recipes when I want to serve something special but doable. Whether it’s a cozy dinner for two or a gathering with friends, it’s a dish that always gets a “wow” — both at the table and in the kitchen.

And the best part? It only takes one pan, a few herbs, and less than an hour to make.