Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb
This Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb recipe offers a perfect blend of tender, juicy lamb with a crunchy, nutty pistachio crust. Easy to prepare yet gourmet in appearance and flavor, it’s ideal for special occasions or a sophisticated dinner that anyone can master.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Modern American / European
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 fresh, frenched rack of lamb (about 1.5 to 2 pounds)
- 1 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for roasting
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Rack of Lamb: Pat the lamb rack dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to promote even cooking.
- Make the Pistachio Crust: Use a food processor to pulse shelled pistachios until they are finely chopped but still retain some texture. In a bowl, combine the chopped pistachios with minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme.
- Sear the Lamb: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the rack of lamb on all sides until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side, locking in the juices.
- Apply Mustard and Pistachio Coating: Brush the seared lamb liberally with Dijon mustard. Press the pistachio mixture evenly onto the mustard-coated surface, forming a crust.
- Roast to Perfection: Place the crusted lamb rack on a roasting pan. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 20 minutes for medium-rare doneness. Adjust cooking time to suit your preferred doneness.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the lamb from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender meat.
Notes
- Choose quality, fresh, well-trimmed lamb racks for best flavor and presentation.
- Do not overprocess pistachios to keep texture; pulse until chunky.
- Use lamb at room temperature for even cooking and tender results.
- Resting the meat after roasting keeps it juicy and amplifies flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness; medium-rare is approximately 130°F (54°C).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 rack (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: pistachio crusted lamb, rack of lamb recipe, nut crust lamb, elegant lamb dish, gluten free lamb recipe