Crispy Lamb Salad Recipe

Crispy Lamb Salad Recipe: Zesty, Fresh & Unforgettable

A crispy lamb salad brings Mediterranean magic right to your dinner plate, revamping simple ingredients into a vibrant culinary experience.

Succulent meat takes center stage, promising rich flavors and delightful textural contrasts that dance across your palate.

The combination balances tender protein with fresh, crisp greens in a symphony of taste and nutrition.

Bold spices and carefully selected herbs elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary, creating a meal that speaks to both comfort and sophistication.

Each forkful offers a delightful crunch that keeps you coming back for more, blending rustic charm with elegant preparation.

Home cooks and food enthusiasts will appreciate the seamless blend of technique and flavor in this remarkable dish.

Why Crispy Lamb Salad Is a Bold and Flavorful Dish

  • Transform Leftovers into Gourmet Delight: Magically convert yesterday's lamb into a crispy, restaurant-worthy salad that elevates simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
  • Textural Sensation Explosion: Experience the incredible contrast between crunchy lamb, tender greens, creamy feta, and soft semi-dried tomatoes that dance deliciously on your palate.
  • Quick Culinary Convenience: Whip up this impressive dish in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous lunch cravings when you want something spectacular without extensive preparation.
  • Nutrient-Packed Flavor Powerhouse: Enjoy a protein-rich meal loaded with fresh vegetables, providing a balanced and satisfying dining experience that feels both indulgent and wholesome.

Ingredients for Making Crispy Lamb Salad

Main Ingredients:

Crispy Lamb:
  • Leftover Cooked Roast Lamb: Tender, pre-cooked meat that adds rich protein and a delicious base for the salad.
  • Vegetable Oil: Helps create a crispy exterior for the lamb with perfect golden-brown results.
  • Cornflour: Provides a light, crispy coating that enhances the lamb's texture and helps it brown beautifully.
Salad Components:
  • Baby Salad Leaves: Fresh, delicate greens that create a light and refreshing base for the dish.
  • Semi-Dried Tomatoes: Intensely flavored tomatoes with a sweet and tangy profile that adds depth to the salad.
  • Red Onion: Sharp and crisp vegetable that brings a zesty crunch and vibrant color to the dish.
  • Feta Cheese: Creamy, salty cheese that provides a tangy contrast to the rich lamb.
Dressing Ingredients:
  • Balsamic Vinegar: Rich, slightly sweet vinegar that adds complex flavor and brightness to the dressing.
  • Olive Oil: Smooth, high-quality oil that creates a silky texture and carries the dressing's flavors.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the salad.

How to Prepare Crispy Lamb Salad Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Lamb Coating

  • Cornflour
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Mix ingredients in a bowl to create a light, even coating for the lamb. Ensure each piece is well-covered with the seasoned cornflour mixture.

Step 2: Heat Cooking Surface

Select a large skillet or wok. Add vegetable oil, heating over medium-high temperature until the oil shimmers and feels hot.

Step 3: Crisp the Lamb

Carefully place coated lamb pieces into the hot oil. Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping occasionally to ensure even browning and crispiness. The lamb should develop a golden-brown exterior with a delightful crunch.

Step 4: Create Zesty Dressing

In a small mixing bowl, combine:
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Whisk ingredients until they blend smoothly and develop a consistent texture.

Step 5: Build Salad Foundation

Spread fresh baby salad leaves across a serving platter or individual plates, creating a vibrant green base.

Step 6: Layer Delicious Toppings

Arrange over the greens:
  • Crispy lamb pieces
  • Semi-dried tomatoes
  • Thinly sliced red onion
  • Crumbled feta cheese

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Drizzle the prepared dressing generously over the salad. Serve immediately to maintain the lamb’s crispiness and the salad’s fresh textures.

Tips to Get Perfectly Cooked and Crispy Lamb

  • Flour Power: Use cornflour sparingly to create a light, crispy coating that doesn't overwhelm the lamb's natural flavor.
  • Heat Mastery: Ensure your pan is genuinely hot before adding lamb to achieve that perfect golden-brown crispiness without burning.
  • Meat Prep Magic: Pat leftover lamb completely dry before coating to guarantee maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy results.
  • Seasoning Secret: Don't skimp on salt and pepper in the cornflour mixture- these enhance the lamb's rich taste and help create a delectable crust.
  • Serve Smart: Drizzle dressing just before serving to maintain the salad's freshness and prevent greens from wilting prematurely.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Crispy Lamb Salad

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover crispy lamb salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to maintain the salad's crispness and prevent soggy greens.
  • Reheating Lamb: Gently reheat lamb in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, ensuring it remains crispy without overcooking. Avoid microwave reheating to preserve the meat's texture.
  • Salad Freshness: Add fresh salad leaves and crumble feta cheese just before serving reheated leftovers to maintain the salad's vibrant flavors and crunchy elements.

Sides and Sauces That Go Well with Lamb Salad

  • Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich, crispy lamb with a full-bodied red wine like Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon, which matches the meat's intense flavor and cuts through its richness.
  • Create a Refreshing Herb Spritzer: Enhance the salad's zesty profile with a homemade herb-infused sparkling water, using fresh mint or rosemary to echo the lamb's herbaceous notes and provide a light, cooling contrast.
  • Add Crusty Sourdough Bread: Serve alongside a slice of rustic sourdough to soak up the tangy balsamic dressing and provide a crunchy texture that balances the crispy lamb and soft salad greens.
  • Match with Crisp Greek White Wine: Select an Assyrtiko or Moschofilero from Greece to complement the feta cheese and provide a bright, acidic counterpoint to the rich, crispy lamb.

Variations for Changing Up Your Crispy Lamb Salad

  • Mediterranean Makeover: Replace feta with creamy goat cheese and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version that transports your taste buds to the sunny Mediterranean coastline.
  • Spicy Asian Fusion: Swap balsamic dressing with a zesty soy-ginger vinaigrette and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro for a bold, vibrant Asian-inspired transformation.
  • Roasted Veggie Companion: Incorporate grilled zucchini, roasted bell peppers, and charred eggplant alongside the crispy lamb to add more depth and smoky complexity to the salad.
  • Herb Garden Edition: Mix fresh mint, parsley, and dill into the salad greens, and use a lemon-herb dressing to brighten the overall flavor profile with refreshing green notes.
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Crispy Lamb Salad Recipe

Crispy Lamb Salad Recipe


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4.8 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 16 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mediterranean lamb salad brings zesty flavors to your plate with perfectly seared lamb slices nestled on crisp greens. Fragrant herbs, tangy feta, and a lemon vinaigrette create a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 400 grams (14 ounces) leftover cooked roast lamb, shredded or sliced into bite-sized chunks
  • 140 grams (5 ounces) baby salad leaves
  • 150 grams (5.5 ounces) semi-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained

Cheese and Vegetable Ingredients:

  • 100 grams (½ cup) feta cheese, crumbled
  • ½ large red onion, peeled and thinly sliced

Seasoning and Oil Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch) mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper
  • 4 tablespoons good quality balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large pinch of salt
  • 1 large pinch of pepper

Instructions

  1. Ignite a sizzling skillet or wok with vegetable oil over fierce medium-high heat, creating a shimmering cooking surface.
  2. Dust the leftover lamb fragments with a seasoned cornflour mixture, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated with the savory blend.
  3. Carefully introduce the lamb into the hot oil, allowing it to transform into golden, crisp morsels through occasional gentle turning.
  4. While the lamb crackles and browns, craft a vibrant dressing by whisking balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a precise balance of salt and pepper in a compact mixing vessel.
  5. Spread a lush carpet of baby salad leaves across a pristine serving platter, creating a verdant foundation for the dish.
  6. Cascade the newly crisped lamb pieces atop the green canvas, creating an appetizing layer of texture and depth.
  7. Artfully distribute semi-dried tomatoes, translucent red onion slivers, and crumbled feta cheese across the salad landscape.
  8. Unleash the prepared dressing, allowing it to cascade gently over the assembled ingredients, binding the flavors into a harmonious culinary composition.
  9. Present immediately, inviting diners to experience the symphony of crisp, tangy, and fresh elements in this vibrant lamb salad.

Notes

  • Discover a transformative way to revive leftover lamb into a crispy, flavor-packed salad sensation.
  • Cornflour creates a magical golden-brown exterior, ensuring each bite delivers maximum crunch and irresistible texture.
  • Master the art of quick pan-frying by maintaining medium-high heat, allowing lamb to develop a beautiful caramelized exterior without becoming tough or dry.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 36g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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