Greek · Dinner

Lamb kleftiko (Greek parchment-baked lamb)

Name: Lamb kleftiko (Greek parchment-baked lamb)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 16 h 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 4 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut in 3-inch pieces; 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 6 garlic cloves, finely grated; 2 lemons, zested and juiced; 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided; 2 tablespoons dried Greek oregano, divided; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut in large wedges; 1 large red onion, cut in thick wedges; 1 red bell pepper, cut in 2-inch pieces; 4 bay leaves; 1/2 cup dry white wine; 6 ounces feta, crumbled; 4 large sheets parchment paper and heavy-duty foil

Lemon-garlic lamb shoulder sealed with potatoes, onion, pepper, oregano, rosemary, wine, and feta, then slow-roasted until spoon-tender.

About 16 hr 30 minTotal

About 4 hr 30 minActive

$$$Cost

AdvancedDifficulty

Makes 6 servings

Equipment

Use another sturdy metal roaster; transfer the drippings if it is not stovetop-safe.
Best versatile roasting pan
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 16-Inch Roasting Pan with Rack · MCPS117-16BRP1
View at Amazon
Another workable path: Use another sturdy metal roaster; transfer the drippings if it is not stovetop-safe.
Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, Kwilt earns from qualifying purchases.
How we chose
Research-backed · reviewed Aug 2026
We matched whole-chicken capacity, removable rack, tri-ply construction, stovetop suitability for pan gravy, current model MCPS117-16BRP1, manufacturer UPC, ownership burden, and exact Amazon identity. Kwilt has not roasted with this pan.
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 16-Inch Roasting Pan with Rack · MCPS117-16BRP1: The broad stainless cooking surface can move safely from oven to stovetop for the Recipe's pan gravy, while the removable rack and generous capacity also make it useful for larger poultry and roasts. Trade-off: It is expensive, weighs about ten pounds before food, and its wide handles require more oven and cabinet clearance than a basic metal roasting pan.
Another workable path: Use another sturdy, flame-safe metal roasting pan that fits the chicken without crowding; transfer the drippings to a saucepan if the pan is not safe over a burner.
Sources
Cuisinart MCPS117-16BRP1 specifications
Crate & Barrel model and oven-limit specifications
Amazon exact product listing

Ingredients

1× recipe · Makes 6 servings

4 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut in 3-inch pieces
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 teaspoon black pepper
6 garlic cloves, finely grated
2 lemons, zested and juiced
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons dried Greek oregano, divided
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut in large wedges
1 large red onion, cut in thick wedges
1 red bell pepper, cut in 2-inch pieces
4 bay leaves
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 ounces feta, crumbled
4 large sheets parchment paper and heavy-duty foil

Instructions

Whisk 2 teaspoons salt, pepper, garlic, lemon zest and juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon oregano, rosemary, and cinnamon. Coat lamb, cover, and refrigerate 12 hours.
Heat oven to 325°F. Cross two long foil sheets in a and place parchment sheets over them so acidic food never touches foil. Toss potatoes, onion, and pepper with remaining oil, oregano, and salt in the center.
Set lamb and marinade over vegetables, add bay and wine, then fold parchment into a sealed parcel. Crimp foil around it for structural support without exposing food to foil.
Roast sealed for 3 to 3 1/2 hours until lamb is fork-tender and around 195°F and potatoes are soft. Open the parcel away from the face, increase oven to 450°F, and brown uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rest lamb 15 minutes in its juices, discard bay leaves, and scatter feta over the hot pan. Serve lamb and vegetables with the concentrated lemon-herb juices.

GreeceGreek household cooking

From the table

About this recipe

Kleftiko is a Greek and Cypriot sealed slow roast associated with lamb, lemon, garlic, herbs, and potatoes; parchment traps aromatic steam before the parcel is opened for browning.

Kleftiko means in the style of the klephts and evokes lamb sealed for slow, concealed cooking. Modern parchment creates the moist enclosed environment once supplied by a covered pit. The long marination and four-hour roast make this an occasion discovery, not a casual weeknight recipe. This Kwilt version follows the reviewed household adaptation: Preserve the defining sealed slow-roast method and regional authority, use shoulder pieces for reliable tenderness and serving, and label the substantial time burden honestly as discovery cooking.

Sources

Dinner does not stop at the recipe