Lamb sirloin is the cut of meat located just in front of the lamb leg and is sometimes sold along with the leg. Often cut into steaks or chops, it can also be purchased as a boneless roast. A 3-ounce serving of roasted lamb sirloin is an excellent source of protein, vitamin B-12, niacin and zinc. But it is also high in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. A diet that includes a large amount of red meats such as lamb may increase your risk of developing heart disease. When you're cooking a lamb sirloin roast, choose a low-fat preparation method like grilling.
Step 1.
Remove the lamb sirloin roast from its packaging and put it on a plate. Cover the roast with a clean dish cloth or aluminum foil and allow it to stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
Step 2.
Trim off and discard as much surface fat from the lamb sirloin as possible using a sharp knife. Butterfly the sirloin by making a lengthwise, horizontal cut nearly all the way through the meat, then opening the two equal halves of the roast like a book.
Step 3.
Rub the lamb sirloin with a mixture of olive oil and seasonings, such as lemon juice or zest, garlic, cumin, rosemary, salt and freshly ground pepper. Allow the coated lamb to sit for approximately 10 minutes.
Step 4.
Heat a gas or charcoal grill. Cook the lamb until a meat thermometer registers 130 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 8 minutes on each side, for an 8-ounce, boneless lamb sirloin roast.
Step 5.
Transfer the grilled lamb sirloin to a serving platter with metal tongs. Leave the meat to rest, undisturbed, for up to 15 minutes before serving.
Things You Will Need
Plate
Clean dish cloth or aluminum foil
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Olive oil
Seasonings
Meat thermometer
Metal tongs
Serving platter
Tip
Whenever possible, choose freshly cut lamb over prepackaged lamb sirloin roasts for the best flavor.
If you can, warm the platter or plates that you'll be serving the lamb on. Cooked lamb does not taste as good when it cools, advises Williams-Sonoma.
The Food & Wine website recommends serving grilled lamb sirloin roast with a simple Greek salad of tomatoes, feta cheese, olives and sliced cucumber.
Warning
Do not purchase lamb sirloin that has a strong, unpleasant odor or that has dry or dark purplish spots on the meat.
Lamb sirloin should not be cooked beyond an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit for the best flavor.
Avoid using a fork or knife to turn the lamb sirloin roast during the grilling process since puncturing the meat can cause you to lose the accumulated juices that keep the roast flavorful and tender.
References
- The Cook's Thesaurus: Lamb Loin Cuts
- SkipThePie.org: Nutritional Info - Lamb, Australian, Imported, Fresh, Leg, Sirloin Half, Boneless, Separable Lean Only, Trimmed to 1/8" Fat, Cooked, Roasted
- Archives of Internal Medicine: Red Meat Consumption and Mortality - Results from 2 Prospective Cohort Studies
- Williams-Sonoma: Grilling - Lamb
- Food & Wine: Grilled Lamb Sirloin with Greek Salad
Writer Bio
Michelle Kerns writes for a variety of print and online publications and specializes in literature and science topics. She has served as a book columnist since 2008 and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. Kerns studied English literature and neurology at UC Davis.