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Inspiration Summer lamb on the barbecue

Summer lamb on the barbecue

New Zealand lamb is recognised as some of the best lamb in the world. It is tender, flavour packed, naturally nutritious and perfect for summer cooking on the barbecue. With National Lamb Day on 15 February, we have rounded up the top ten ways to cook lamb on the barbecue to help you grill it perfectly every time. Fire up the BBQ, bring together your friends and family, and celebrate New Zealand lamb and the farmers who produce it with a summer feast that showcases the very best of our food industry.

Grilled meat, partially sliced, garnished with mint leaves, with a side salad visible.

Grilled meat, partially sliced, garnished with mint leaves, with a side salad visible.

Garlic, Red Wine and Rosemary Lamb Shoulder

A classic marinade, this is a winning lamb recipe that makes sure the lamb is the hero of the dish. Swap rosemary for thyme or whatever your garden has on hand. It’s delicious either way with a bucket-load of good salads and some crusty bread for mopping up juices

A hand in a black glove pours "MEAT JUICE" sauce from a bottle onto a pile of glistening barbecued lamb ribs.

A hand in a black glove pours "MEAT JUICE" sauce from a bottle onto a pile of glistening barbecued lamb ribs.

Hot n Fast Lamb Ribs

If you have the set up – these are utterly divine. Grab a bottle of Rum and Que’s Meat Juice from your local butcher to help make these tasty morsels, they're perfect to celebrate with.

Grilled meatmb skewers with rosemary, one dipping into sauce, and plates of cucumber and carrot salad.

Grilled meatmb skewers with rosemary, one dipping into sauce, and plates of cucumber and carrot salad.

Lamb skewers with char sui sauce

These skewers are a great marriage between Chinese Dim Sum flavours and Kiwi produce. The whole family will love them, especially when served with a cucumber and carrot salad for freshness.

Grilled lamb chops with tzatziki, red onion, cucumber, and grilled lemon on a black plate, amidst other dishes on a wooden table.

Grilled lamb chops with tzatziki, red onion, cucumber, and grilled lemon on a black plate, amidst other dishes on a wooden table.

Greek lamb cutlets with tzatziki

The combo of lemon, oregano and garlic is just so good and easy to pull together. We’ve swapped the lamb rack for loin chops or shoulders as well to a great success! Just make sure you adjust the cooking time to suit.

Close-up of sliced steak with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and grains.

Close-up of sliced steak with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and grains.

Balsamic lamb steaks with Israeli couscous salad

This is a firm favourite of the Beef + Lamb staff, especially for those busy week nights when you need something tasty and easy. Simply grill the lamb on the barbecue if it’s too warm to cook inside.

A platter of sliced steak topped with chimichurri sauce, served with bowls of potatoes and salad.

A platter of sliced steak topped with chimichurri sauce, served with bowls of potatoes and salad.

Roasted lamb rump with green sauce

This is a great recipe to adapt to the barbecue and it adds in a delicious smokey flavour that balances the zesty freshness of the green herb-laden sauce.

A flatbread wrap filled with dark grilled meat or vegetables, hummus, shredded cabbage, radishes, and fresh herbs, served on a blue plate.

A flatbread wrap filled with dark grilled meat or vegetables, hummus, shredded cabbage, radishes, and fresh herbs, served on a blue plate.

Crispy mushroom and lamb sharwarma

Kids love this dinner and it’s great to pile everything in the middle of the table and let them assemble themselves! If you don’t have preserved lemons, use a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt instead.

A burger with a poppy seed bun, grilled lamb patty, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and a fried egg with a runny yolk, served on a white plate.

A burger with a poppy seed bun, grilled lamb patty, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and a fried egg with a runny yolk, served on a white plate.

Kiwi lamb burger

A true classic, featuring a herb laden lamb patty, fried egg, beetroot and all the trimmings. Make sure you use good quality burger buns to withstand all the toppings and be ware – these are messy!

Grilled lamb chops with green beans, radishes, and chives.

Grilled lamb chops with green beans, radishes, and chives.

Sticky glazed lamb loin chops

A favourite of top wahine, Stacey Waaka, these lamb loin chops are family-friendly with their Chinese flavours. Marinate the night before you’ve got an easy midweek meal that adults and kids will love.

A light blue plate holds glazed lamb ribs topped with sesame seeds and herbs, with a small bowl of sesame seeds nearby.

A light blue plate holds glazed lamb ribs topped with sesame seeds and herbs, with a small bowl of sesame seeds nearby.

Lemon, honey and rosemary lamb ribs

These are finger-licking good! Sticky, herby and if marinated overnight – they can be dinner on the table in under 20 minutes! Serve with a big salad and some sourdough to trawl through the juices.

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Posted by Beef + Lamb New Zealand

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