Herbs and Spices to Season Lamb

While less versatile than chicken, lamb is a staple in household cuisines from every corner of the world. So, it’s helpful to be familiar with the best spices and seasonings that go well with it and how to use them.

The first thing to remember here is that no matter the cut, the meat always has a rich flavor. It means even if you use the strongest herbs and spices, they will not overpower the unique taste of the meat. They will just add a new depth to it.

Herbs and Spices Good for Seasoning Lamb

The preparation method depends on what cut of lamb you have, which means the spices will also depend on that. For example, lamb legs are perfect for roasting and steaks, while ribs are as good when grilled as braised. So, pick your spices based on what cut you have and what you plan to make.

It’s all about preserving the meat’s natural flavor and finding the right seasoning to complement it. Here’s what you can put in lamb:

Name	Flavor Profile	Used for	Best Combinations with Other Spices	Substitutes & Alternatives
Coriander	Citrusy, slightly sweet	Grills, curries, stews	Cumin, paprika, garlic powder	Cilantro
Cumin	Earthy, warm	Tandoori, kebabs, chili	Coriander, paprika, garlic powder	Ground coriander
Paprika	Sweet, smoky	Roasts, goulash, kebabs	Cumin, garlic powder, thyme	Cayenne pepper
Chili Powder	Spicy, robust	Chili con carne (and other similar spicy dishes)	Cumin, paprika, garlic powder	Red pepper flakes
Garlic Powder	Pungent, savory	Roasts, marinades, stews	Onion powder, thyme, rosemary	Fresh garlic
Mustard Powder	Tangy, mildly spicy	Grills, marinades	Cumin, coriander, paprika	Dijon mustard
Fennel	Sweet, licorice-like	Braised, sausages, rubs	Rosemary, thyme, garlic powder	Anise
Cinnamon	Warm, sweet	Moroccan lamb, stews, tagines	Cumin, coriander, ginger	Allspice
Rosemary	Woody, piney	Roasts, grilled chops	Thyme, garlic powder, fennel	Oregano
Oregano	Robust, slightly bitter	Mediterranean lamb, stews	Rosemary, thyme, garlic powder	Marjoram
Basil	Sweet, peppery	Pasta dishes, pesto	Mint, oregano, garlic powder	Parsley
Mint	Cool, refreshing	Lamb mint sauce, kebabs, salads	Cumin, coriander, basil	Cilantro
Sage	Earthy, savory	Roasts, sausages, stuffing	Rosemary, thyme, garlic powder	Poultry seasoning
Thyme	Earthy, lemony	Grills, roasts, stews	Rosemary, oregano, garlic powder	Poultry seasoning
Ginger	Spicy, citrusy	Asian-inspired lamb dishes	Garlic powder, cumin, coriander	Ground turmeric

Note: While the term 'seasoning' might bring to mind only table spices, in today's culinary world, it encompasses all the spices and condiments that enhance your food — whether added before, during, or after cooking.

In addition to the above, some traditional spice blends and pastes, including harissa, vadouvan, and sumac, are often used when cooking lamb dishes. You can also make your own lamb seasoning blends with all your favorite ingredients.

The list does not include salt, one of the basic ingredients for seasoning any dish. It is because of the very reason that it is usually considered ‘essential’ in most recipes. The same goes for black pepper.