Our Mint Sauce for Lamb has a bright, mint-y and herbaceous flavor that enhances the grassy and savory taste of meaty lamb. Tangy lemon, Parmesan cheese, herbs and pine nuts give this sauce a fresh and aromatic burst of flavor. Even better, it takes just a few minutes to make!
This classic mint sauce will work with nearly any kind of prepared lamb- from roast lamb to lamb chops to a beautiful roasted rack of lamb. It’s the side sauce you need for any special occasion, with lamb as the main course.
But the great thing about this homemade mint sauce recipe is that it not only works for lamb, it’s also a versatile sauce that tastes great with a variety of other dishes!
Serve it alongside duck pasta, roasted Brussels and carrots, grilled swordfish or roast beef for a pop of unique flavor.
Why This Recipe Works
I’m a big lamb fan and we have all sorts of lamb recipes you can pair this sauce with!
Mint sauce and lamb is one of those flavor combinations you can’t knock until you try, and this is the perfect mint sauce for nearly all cuts of lamb.
It is:
- easy to make with just a few basic ingredients required
- quick to pull together- it’s ready in just a few minutes!
- a great accompaniment to an elegant dish like Crown Rack of Lamb
The Ingredients
Simple ingredients are all you need to make this fresh mint sauce.
Along with fresh mint leaves, herbs like basil and oregano are added to complement the flavor. You will need:
- Mint leaves. It’s not mint sauce without this main ingredient!
- Fresh basil and oregano. Additional herbs that complement the cooling taste of mint.
- Garlic cloves. A little bit of a garlicky bite gives this sauce a delicious savory flavor.
- Fresh lemon juice. The juice of half a lemon is all you need to brighten up the sauce.
- Pine nuts. Neutral in flavor, pine nuts add a rich, creaminess to the sauce and a consistency that resembles pesto.
- Parmesan cheese. The nuttiness of Parmesan tames the fresh herbs.
- Black pepper. For just a tiny amount of peppery bite!
- Olive oil. This helps thin the mixture to a sauce consistency.
How to Make Mint Sauce for Lamb
While it’s not quite a traditional English mint sauce since we’ve added a few other items, it still has a bright flavor that cuts through the richness of lamb.
Another bonus? There’s no cooking or boiling water required! This easy mint sauce is ready in just as long as it takes to gather the ingredients and process them together.
Here’s a quick look at the steps involved in the process but, as always, don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of the page to view our printable recipe card.
Place the mint, basil, oregano and garlic in a mini food processor or blender. Process briefly.
Stop the motor and scrape down the bowl. Add the lemon juice, pine nuts, Parmesan and pepper. Process again until well combined.
While the motor is running, slowly drizzle in the oil until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. Add salt to taste.
Transfer the sauce to a small bowl or small dish to serve alongside the lamb.
Pro Tips for Success
- This recipe will give you about 3/4 cup of mint sauce. It’s easy to double so feel free to scale up as needed!
- Since Parmesan cheese has its own natural saltiness, hold off on adding salt until the very end. You may not need it.
- Store any leftover mint sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or until the sauce loses its freshness.
What to Serve With Mint Sauce
This is a good mint sauce for nearly any main course lamb dish, but similar to pesto, it also works as a minty and savory sauce for fish, pastas and veggies, too!
Here are a few suggestions on what to pair it with:
- Moroccan Lamb Meatballs
- Instant Pot Lamb Shanks
- Roasted Rack of Lamb with Cherry Sauce
- Grilled Rack of Lamb
- Baked Wolffish
- Santa Maria Tri Tip
- Sheet Pan Root Vegetables
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Mint Sauce for Lamb
The flavors come together for a truly delicious meal when served alongside juicy, roasted lamb. It pairs especially with lamb and goes well with pasta, roasted vegetables, and fish. Plus, it only takes minutes to make!
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh mint leaves
- 4-6 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
- 2 cloves garlic ¼ cup fresh lemon juice ½ of a lemon
- ½ cup pine nuts
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place the mint, basil, oregano leaves and garlic in a mini-food processor or blender and process briefly.
- Stop the motor and scrape down the bowl. Add the lemon juice, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and black pepper. Process until well blended.
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the oil until you get the desired consistency. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Transfer the sauce to a small dish and serve with lamb.
Notes
- This recipe will make about ¾ cup and can easily be doubled if necessary.
- The Parmesan cheese may add enough saltiness, taste before adding additional salt.
