If you like lamb, you'll love this easy Mediterranean lamb seasoning rub. Try this wonderful mixture of spices for lamb the next time you make lamb chops, shanks, or lamb shish kebabs!

Though lamb has a rich and distinctive flavor on its own, this lamb seasoning elevates it even further. From the earthy undertones of rosemary and thyme to the vibrant flavor of sumac and garlic, this bold blend of herbs and spices can transform a simple cut of lamb into a showstopper.
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🧐 Why This Recipe Works
- You only need dried herbs for this recipe, so it's completely shelf-stable. However, you can use fresh herbs if you prefer!
- Lamb spices are quick & easy to make! No mortar and pestle or spice mill required!
- You can make this lamb seasoning rub ahead of time and store it for the next time you're making lamb.
- This lamb seasoning is guaranteed to give you flavorful, tender lamb, whether you cook it in the oven, grill, or smoker!
🛒 What You Need For This Recipe
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Sumac powder: If you don't have sumac powder, you can make the best sumac substitute option yourself.
- Sea salt: Plain salt or kosher salt may be used.
- Dried Rosemary: If using fresh rosemary, adjust to 2 tablespoons.
- Dried Thyme: If using fresh, adjust to 4-½ teaspoons.
- Dried Oregano: If using fresh, adjust to 1 tablespoon. You can also substitute with dried mint.
- Black pepper: Use ground black pepper, or toast and grind black peppercorns.
- Garlic powder: If you're out of garlic powder, rub some fresh crushed garlic cloves into the seasoned lamb.
- Ground Cinnamon: Can also grind a cinnamon stick using a spice grinder, then measure out ¼ teaspoon to use in this recipe.
- Cayenne (optional): Paprika can be substituted.
- Other optional ingredients: Cumin, coriander, cloves, or sage.
🐑 How To Make Lamb Seasoning
Step 1: Gather all your spices and herbs. Carefully measure each ingredient according to this recipe, then mix in a small bowl until blended.
Pro Tip: If you like a more finely ground spice rub, you can use a mortar and pestle to get it to your preferred consistency.
Step 2: Pour into a spice jar for easy storage and use within 6 months.
🧂How To Use Lamb Seasoning
To use, generously sprinkle the lamb spice rub over lamb and work into the meat. Allow the meat to marinate for at least a few hours, but preferably overnight.
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You can use this lamb spice rub to season lamb roasts or as a substitute for the seasoning in any of the following recipes:
- Smoked lamb shanks
- Lamb shish kebabs
- Lamb chops
- Rack of lamb
- This roasted leg of lamb recipe
🍖 More Middle Eastern Seasoning Blends
- Egyptian Dukkah Spice Recipe
- Baharat Recipe (Middle Eastern Spice Mix)
- Authentic Gyro Seasoning
- Shawarma Spice Recipe
- Easy Biryani Spice Blend Recipe
🤷🏻♀️ FAQs
Rosemary and thyme are both excellent for seasoning lamb, but why stop there? You can also use mint, oregano, cloves, cumin, sumac, garlic, cinnamon, and more!
You can use either fresh or dried rosemary for lamb, but if you have neither, you can use other herbs such as sage, oregano, thyme, and mint.
If you don't like the gamey flavor of lamb, there are ways to tame it. You can soak it in a flavorful marinade such as your favorite spice rub mixed with olive oil or teriyaki. You can also soak it overnight in vinegar or a salt solution.
👩🏻🍳 Pro Tips
- This lamb seasoning rub is enough to season 4 to 5 pounds of meat.
- Store lamb spices in an airtight container in a cold, dark place for up to 6 months for best results. You can store it in the freezer to keep it fresh for a longer period.
- You can mix the lamb spices with olive oil and lemon juice to make a marinade.
- Using good quality spices makes all the difference in taste!
- If you use fresh herbs, store leftover lamb spice rub in the freeze otherwise the fresh herbs will mold.
🥣 More Spice Mixes
If you enjoy this lamb seasoning recipe, you may be interested in making your own everything but the bagel seasoning, biryani spice, pork rub, and shawarma spice.
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📖 Recipe
Mediterranean Lamb Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sumac powder
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Instructions
- Gather all your spices and herbs. Carefully measure each ingredient according to this recipe, then mix in a small bowl until blended.
- Pour into a spice jar for easy storage and use within 6 months.
How to Use
- To use, generously sprinkle the lamb spice rub over lamb and work into the meat. Allow the meat to marinate for at least a few hours, but preferably overnight.
Notes
-
- This lamb seasoning rub is enough to make 4 to 5 pounds of meat.
- If you like a more finely ground spice rub, you can use a mortar and pestle to get it to your preferred consistency.
- Store lamb spices in an airtight container in a cold, dark place for up to 6 months for best results. You can store it in the freezer to keep it fresh for a longer period.
- You can mix the lamb spices with olive oil and lemon juice to make a marinade.
- Using good quality spices makes all the difference in taste!
- If you use fresh herbs, store leftover lamb spice rub in the freeze otherwise the fresh herbs will mold.
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