
This roast leg of lamb is rubbed with garlic, rosemary, and olive oil, then roasted until tender and juicy. The pan drippings are turned into a rich, savory gravy for a classic centerpiece roast.
Remove the lamb from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before cooking so it can come closer to room temperature.
Preheat the oven to 240°C/475°F, or 220°C fan. Position a rack in the center of the oven.
Make the rub by mixing the chopped rosemary leaves, minced garlic, and olive oil in a small bowl.
Place the lamb leg in a roasting pan. Rub the rosemary-garlic mixture all over the meat, then season evenly with salt and black pepper. Place the halved garlic heads and rosemary sprigs underneath the lamb, with the cut sides of the garlic facing up.
Roast for 20 minutes at the high temperature. Reduce the oven to 200°C/400°F, or 180°C fan, and continue roasting for about 1 hour, checking from 45 minutes onward. For medium-rare lamb, remove it when the internal temperature reaches 53°C/127°F.
Transfer the lamb to a plate or board, cover loosely with foil, and rest for at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour. The internal temperature will continue rising to about 62°C/144°F for medium-rare.
While the lamb rests, make the gravy. Discard the rosemary sprigs from the roasting pan. You should have about 4 to 5 tbsp of fat and pan drippings; if there is less, add a little butter, and if there is much more, spoon some off.
Set the roasting pan over medium heat on the stovetop. When the fat begins to bubble, sprinkle in the flour and stir well, scraping up the browned bits from the pan. Cook for 1 minute.
Pour in about half of the beef stock, stirring until smooth and the pan drippings dissolve into the liquid. Add the remaining stock and continue stirring.
Mash the roasted garlic in the pan with a potato masher or spoon to release its flavor into the gravy.
Simmer the gravy for a few minutes, stirring often, until it starts to thicken. Remove it from the heat just before it reaches your preferred thickness, as it will continue to thicken slightly.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Strain the gravy into a bowl or jug, pressing the garlic to extract as much liquid as possible.
Slice the rested lamb across the grain and serve with the warm gravy. Roast potatoes, peas, and buttered carrots make classic sides.
Use a meat thermometer for the most reliable doneness; lamb can overcook quickly after the first high-heat roast. Resting is essential for juicy slices, so do not skip it. Leftover lamb keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and is excellent in sandwiches, wraps, or salads.