19 Best Leftover Lamb Recipes (Pasta, Wraps, Pies, Curries & More!)
on Apr 03, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Looking for creative ways to use up your delicious roast lamb leftovers? From fragrant curries and stews to classic Mediterranean wraps, hearty pies and comforting soups, these creative ideas will help you transform them into a mouth watering meal. You’ll forget you’re even eating leftovers!
Cooked well, lamb is fork tender, juicy, and flavorful. Your mouth is watering just thinking about it, right? And when you’ve gone to the effort to roast a shoulder or leg of lamb perfectly, you don’t want any to go to waste.
Luckily, there are so many creative ways to repurpose your lamb leftovers. So what are you in the mood for? A quick lunch lamb sandwich, pizza or gyro, maybe? A classic Shepherd’s pie for dinner made with leftover lamb? Or perhaps something with punchier flavors such as an Indian curry? There are options from literally all over the world!
My personal favorite easy roast lamb recipe is this lamb kleftiko (Greek lamb), but leftovers from a lamb leg, lamb shoulder, or literally any roast lamb would work perfectly in the recipes below.
Whichever idea you try first, I hope every juicy and tender bite delights your tastebuds!
Need lamb side dish ideas, too? Check out this list of 50 side dishes for lamb as well.
Sandwiches, Wraps and Tacos
This is not just one of the easiest, but also one of the tastiest, crowd pleasing ways to use up warm lamb leftovers!
1. Greek Leftover Lamb Gyros
Quite possibly my favorite way to use up leftover roast lamb is in the form of a simple Greek gyro wrap. My recipe is for chicken gyros, but they’re so easy to adapt for lamb.
Simply warm some Greek pita bread in a pan, then pile in your warmed leftover lamb together with a sprinkle of paprika, a little salad and a few fries. Don’t even think about skipping the easy tsatziki sauce! Wrap and enjoy.
Lamb lovers with a penchant for all things Mediterranean too, this one’s for you!
Super Easy Greek Gyro Pita
2. Lamb Shawarma
These delicious lamb pita bread sandwiches from Pinch and Swirl quickly put paid to the idea that restaurant quality lamb shawarma is too hard to make at home!
These wraps are incredibly simple to make with leftover cumin lamb (or any leftover lamb meat!). Serve with pita, tzatziki and pickled red onion, and let everyone build their own.
Easy and Authentic Lamb Shawarma
3. Lamb Tacos
Running to the Kitchen‘s juicy, tender braised lamb makes these tacos a fun flavor deviation from beef. Paired with fresh bright toppings, these are a welcome change to taco night!
Lamb Tacos
4. Asian Crispy Lamb Wraps
Who doesn’t love crispy duck wraps? Well, how about these crispy lamb wraps from Mrs Jones’ Kitchen? These Asian lamb wraps combine crispy already-cooked lamb with hoisin sauce, cucumber and spring onion. What an ingenious way to use up leftover lamb roast!
Asian Crispy Lamb Wraps
5. Lamb Sandwich
This truly is a gourmet sandwich like no other from Greedy Gourmet. Couple your leftover lamb with avocado and jam and you’ll be so glad you did!
Lamb Sandwich
Curries, Casseroles and Soups
These lamb leftover recipes are ideal if you’re in the mood for something comforting and hearty that will be ideal for serving up for a family meal.
6. Easy Leftover Lamb Curry
This really is an unfussy curry from Fussfree Flavours. No fancy ingredients and ready in only 30 minutes!
Easy Leftover Lamb Curry
7. Leftover Lamb Biriyani
Mama Loves to Cook‘s leftover lamb biryani recipe is a fantastic way to spice up any lamb you have left over.
Leftover Lamb Biryani Recipe
8. Lamb Bone Soup
This hearty lamb bone soup from Where is My Spoon is made with meaty bones, vegetables, potatoes, and beans. It’s a really great way of using up every last bit of the lamb.
Lamb Bone Soup
9. Leftover Roast Lamb Winter Vegetable Soup
Here’s another filling and hearty soup from Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary. Delicious, nutritious and packed full of vegetables.
Leftover Roast Lamb & Winter Vegetable Soup
10. Leftover Lamb Stew
Seeking Good Eats’ leftover lamb stew is the ultimate in simple but delicious comfort food!
Leftover Lamb Stew
Pasta and Pizza
Lamb can also work exceptionally well in pizza and pasta dishes. These are the perfect recipes if you want something quick and easy but not skimping on flavor.
11. Air Fryer (or oven) Naan Pizzas with Leftover Lamb
No need to pre-heat your oven or wait for dough to rise. Just scatter pasta sauce and your leftover lamb onto pre-made naan, then let your air fryer do its thing. In minutes, you’ll have pizzas that are fluffy and light on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Sun-Dried Tomato, Bocconcini and Lamb Naan Pizza
12. Leftover Lamb Ragu
Such a great way of using up leftover lamb from Where is My Spoon. Easy and quick to make, this goes a long way served with pasta.
Leftover Lamb Ragu
13. Lamb Stroganoff
Joy Filled Eats’ lamb stroganoff might just be your new favorite dinner recipe. Creamy and delicious and hearty and filling at the same time.
Easy Lamb Stroganoff
14. Leftover Lamb Pasta Sauce
This leftover lamb pasta sauce from Caroline’s Cooking pairs lamb with eggplant to create a tasty but easy to make dish.
Leftover lamb pasta sauce with eggplant
Pies
Who doesn’t love a pie? The ultimate comfort food!
15. Leftover Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
In this easy leftover lamb shepherd’s pie from Mrs Jones’ Kitchen, leftover roast lamb is heated in a tasty gravy, topped with fluffy mashed potato, then baked in the oven until golden and crispy.
Leftover Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
16. Roast Lamb and Rosemary Pie
Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary uses up lamb with rosemary with delicious gravy in her Grandmother’s perfect flaky pastry.
Roast Lamb and Rosemary Pie
Even more ideas!
17. Lamb Pilaf
This delicious lamb pilaf from Caroline’s Cooking is based on a traditional Afghan/Uzbek dish. It’s an easy, one pot meal packed with flavor.
Lamb Pilaf
18. Leftover Lamb Salad with Harissa Dressing
Somebody Feed Seb’s leftover lamb salad is topped with feta and crispy lamb and lentils for a filling, healthy and very tasty dish.
Leftover Lamb Salad with Harissa Dressing | Somebody Feed Seb
19. Lamb Shakshuka
Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary’s lamb shakshuka is quick to make and is a great alternative breakfast idea. Shakshuka is a North African/Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce – usually with chilli, paprika and cumin.
Easy Harissa Lamb Shakshuka for Two
I hope you’ve been inspired to give one or two of these creative lamb recipes a try. Don’t let those leftovers go to waste – transform them into a mouth-watering meal instead!
Leftover lamb FAQs
You can safely store cooked lamb for up to three days in the fridge, or for up to two months in the freezer.
Let the leftover lamb cool, then place in a sealed bag or container and chill in the fridge as soon as possible. If you want to freeze your cooked lamb, divide into portions, wrap well in clingfilm and/or foil to prevent freezer burn and remember to label including the date.
You can use your microwave, stove top, air fryer or oven to reheat lamb. If using the oven, a good way to stop your lamb drying out is to reheat in portions. Pour a little stock or water over the lamb and cover to trap steam. Cook at around 350 Degrees F for 15-20 minutes then check. Stir regularly and make sure it’s piping hot before eating.
Lamb can go well with so many fabulous sides. Potatoes (try my best Greek potatoes) and other simple roasted vegetables are a classic choice but it also works really well with pita breads, French fries, salads and so much more. Here are my 50 best easy side dishes to go with lamb to give you lots of ideas.
Which tasty recipe for using up leftover lamb will you try first?