Mint Sauce For Lamb

Classic mint sauce is a very easy condiment to prepare, but it makes a huge difference in your dishes. This British herb sauce was meant specifically for lamb, but it tastes great with any roasted meat - especially gamey meat.

The pungent, refreshing flavor of the mint combined with the sharpness of the vinegar creates a delicious mixture. It is perfect for pairing with lamb, which is why it is an iconic British combination.

🥘 Ingredients

• Mint - 1 cup of fresh mint leaves that have been stripped from the stem.
• Sugar - 1 tablespoon of granulated white sugar or raw sugar (demerara sugar).
• Water - 3 tablespoons of boiling water.
• White Wine Vinegar - 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar or sherry vinegar). See my white wine vinegar substitute guide.
• Salt & Pepper (optional) - Add a pinch of salt and/or ground black pepper, to taste.

🔪 How To Make My Mint Sauce Recipe

This easy mint sauce for lamb is super straightforward and uses simple ingredients. Make sure you have a knife, a cutting board, and a wooden spoon or a muddler.

This recipe will yield about 4 servings of fresh mint sauce, depending on how much you like to serve with your roasted meats.

Step 1: Rinse. Rinse and dry the 1 cup of fresh mint, then place it onto a cutting board. Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon of sugar on top (photo 1).

Step 2: Chop. Using a sharp knife, finely chop up the mint (photo 2).

Step 3: Add water. Transfer the mint and sugar mixture into a small mixing bowl. Then, add 3 tablespoons of boiling water and stir it together, using the handle of a wooden spoon to gently pound the mint (*see note).

Step 4: Blend the flavors. Next, add 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar and mix it all together. Cover with plastic wrap and allow the sauce to sit at room temperature for one hour so that the flavors can fully blend (photo 3).

Step 5: Serve. Season to taste with optional salt and pepper after the flavors have had a chance to 'combine' and before serving.

🥗🥘🍲 Best Served With

This dipping sauce is a great accompaniment to roasted boneless leg of lamb. It also tastes wonderful with any other roast dinner, like a roasted rack of pork. Enjoy!

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

• Finely chopped mint. You want your mint to be finely chopped but don't use a food processor or blender because it will puree the mint, giving you a mushy sauce.
• Pounding the mint helps to extract the flavor, so don't skip it.
• You can use a muddler (from a bar kit) to pound your mint or try a mortar and pestle. 
• Storage: You can store this mint sauce in a sealed jar or airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days, but the green color will lose its vibrancy after a few hours. It is best enjoyed immediately.

❓ Why Is Mint Sauce Served With Lamb?

Apparently, spearmint and lamb have a connection on a chemical level. Mint is loaded with branch-chain ketones, which are related to the BCFAs in lamb. This scientific connection shows that, in short, they taste good together.

❓ What Is The Best Mint For Mint Sauce?

There are a ton of different varieties of mint. However, for a classic mint sauce for lamb, you want your common garden mint.

❓ What Is The Best Type Of Vinegar For Mint Sauce?

White wine vinegar is the best option for mint sauce, but apple cider vinegar or sherry vinegar would work as well. I would avoid any malt vinegar as they are much too strong and would overpower the sauce. See my article on white vinegar vs white wine vinegar before swapping them!

🍖 Enjoy Mint Sauce With These Meat Dishes

• Roasted Leg of Lamb
• Roasted Lamb Shanks
• Grilled Lamb Steaks
• Pan Seared Lamb Chops
• Lamb Breast
• Venison Tenderloin Roast

📖 Recipe Card