So you've purchased lamb meat and now you're not sure how to cook it. Lamb can be cooked in a variety of ways from roasting to grilling. This guide will provide you the steps on how to cook lamb.

1. Choose meat that is pink and has a velvety texture.
2. Braise lamb in a deep skillet or dutch oven for about three hours.
3. Roast lamb in a roasting pan for about two hours.
4. Grill lamb for about eight minutes.
5. Experiment with recipes to add different flavors to your lamb.

• Lamb is the meat of a sheep that is less than one year old. While it is not served regularly in the United States, it is a meat that is enjoyed in many recipes worldwide. It is high in saturated fat, but is also a good source of protein.The World's Healthiest Foods: Lamb This guide provides a variety of ways to cook lamb as well as variations of recipes for you to experiment with.

• Lamb was once only available for purchase during the spring and summer, however it is now available year round.The World's Healthiest Foods: Lamb These tips will help you to purchase a good piece of lamb meat for cooking.

1. Cuts of lamb which carry the titles Prime or Choice are the most tender and flavorful.The World's Healthiest Foods: Lamb
2. The lamb flesh should be pink and any fat should be white.The World's Healthiest Foods: Lamb
3. The meat should have a velvety texture.Clemson Extension: Safe Handling of Lamb
4. Packaging should be cool to the touch and not have any punctures.Clemson Extension: Safe Handling of Lamb
5. Check dates on the packaging to ensure freshness of the meat.About.com: How to Select the Best Cut of Lamb

• What To Do

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.Martha Stewart: Braised Lamb Shoulder
2. Season the meat with salt and pepper.Guardian Unlimited: Braised Shoulder of Lamb (November 24, 2001)
3. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet or dutch oven over high heat for 1 minute.Martha Stewart: Braised Lamb Shoulder Epicurious.com: Braised Lamb with Horseradish and Parsley
4. Add lamb and cook, tuning, until all sides are browned (about eight to ten minutes).Martha Stewart: Braised Lamb Shoulder
5. Reduce the heat to medim-high and add the garlic and stock (or water or wine).Epicurious.com: Braised Lamb with Horseradish and Parsley
6. Bring to a boil.Martha Stewart: Braised Lamb Shoulder
7. Transfer to the oven and cook until tender (about 2-1/2 to 3 hours).Martha Stewart: Braised Lamb Shoulder

• What To Do

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.Martha Stewart: Roast Leg of Lamb
2. Tie the leg up with kitchen string or have a butcher do it.Simply Recipes: Roast Leg of Lamb (April 13, 2006)
3. Season with salt and pepper.Martha Stewart: Roast Leg of Lamb
4. Place the lamb fat side up in the roasting pan.Martha Stewart: Roast Leg of Lamb
5. Roast for 1-1/2 to 2 hours (or about 10-12 minutes per pound), or until a meat thermometer reads 135 degrees Fahrenheit.Simply Recipes: Roast Leg of Lamb (April 13, 2006) Martha Stewart: Roast Leg of Lamb
6. Transfer lamb to a platter. Cut and discard the string.Martha Stewart: Roast Leg of Lamb
7. Let the lamb rest for 10 to 20 minutes before carving.Martha Stewart: Diane's Roast Lamb Simply Recipes: Roast Leg of Lamb (April 13, 2006)

• What To Do

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high to high heat.Food & Wine: Grilled Lamb Chops with Tahini Sauce All Recipes: Grilled Lamb with Brown Sugar Glaze
2. Season lamb with salt and pepper.Martha Stewart: Grilled Lamb
3. Place lamb chops into the grill pan and cook for about eight minutes, turning once.Food & Wine: Grilled Lamb Chops with Tahini Sauce Meat is done medium-rare when a meat thermometer reads between 125 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.Food & Wine: Grilled Lamb Chops with Tahini Sauce Martha Stewart: Grilled Lamb
4. Transfer meat to a platter and let rest for five minutes.Food & Wine: Grilled Lamb Chops with Tahini Sauce

1. Marinate your lamb in cucumber-dill yogurt dip and insert onto skewers to make grilled lamb kebabs.Food Network: Cucumber-Dill Marinade with Grilled Lamb Kebabs WARNING: Pop-ups

2. Some maple syrup and goat cheese help to make yummy lamb burgersAll Recipes: Maple Glazed Chipotle Goat Cheese Lamb Burgers

3. Add a few key spices to make Moroccan-style lamb.Epicurious.com: Moroccan Style Lamb and Carrots with Chickpea Puree WARNING: Pop-ups

4. Top a pizza with meat from a rack of lamb or loin roast.Food & Wine: Gaucho Pizzas

5. Use lamb meat and vegetables for a hearty lamb stew.Martha Stewart: Lamb Stew and Young Vegetables

6. Give your lamb a kick by adding curry.Simply Recipes: Lamb Curry (February 12, 2005)

7. Short on time? Try cooking your lamb in a crock pot.Recipezaar: Redcurrant and Honey Glazed Lamb (Crock Pot)

• Introduction
• Selecting Lamb
• Cooking Lamb
  • Braising
  • Roasting
  • Grilling
• Variations