Hearty Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Recipe

Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Recipe with a Savory Twist

Diving into the world of lamb heart reveals a culinary treasure that elevates ordinary dishes with its robust, intense flavor.

This muscular delicacy packs a punch of nutrients and transforms humble meals into gourmet experiences.

Lean and nutrient-dense, lamb heart breaks through traditional protein boundaries with its remarkable taste potential.

Skilled chefs understand how careful preparation can unlock extraordinary tenderness and deep, earthy undertones.

Ancient cultures revered organ meats as symbols of strength and vitality, recognizing their exceptional nutritional value.

Adventurous home cooks who embrace this unique ingredient will discover a whole new dimension of cooking.

Let this recipe be your gateway to expanding your culinary confidence and exploring uncharted flavor territories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 1

Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart: Ingredients Breakdown

For Marinade Ingredients:
  • Garlic: Choose fresh, firm cloves with tight, unbroken skin for robust, zesty flavor.
  • Zest: Select vibrant, fragrant citrus with bright, unblemished outer skin for maximum aromatic punch.
  • Olive Oil: Pick cold-pressed, extra virgin variety for rich, smooth undertones.
  • Herbs: Opt for fresh, perky herbs with deep green color and no wilting.
For Meat Base:
  • Lamb Hearts: Source from trusted butcher, ensuring fresh, clean-looking organ meat with minimal discoloration.
For Finishing Touch:
  • Flaky Sea Salt: Select pure, crisp crystals that offer delicate crunch and pure mineral taste.

Tools to Prepare Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart

  • Mixing Bowl: Medium-sized ceramic or glass bowl for combining marinade ingredients.
  • Soft Brush or Paper Towel: Gentle tool for removing marinade clumps from meat surface.
  • Heavy-Based Frying Pan: Cast iron or stainless steel skillet with thick bottom for even, high-heat searing.
  • Sharp Knife: High-quality blade for precise, thin slicing of cooked lamb hearts.
  • Cutting Board: Clean wooden or plastic surface for resting and slicing meat.
  • Measuring Spoons: Small utensils for accurate marinade ingredient proportions.
  • Tongs: Metal kitchen tool for safely handling and turning meat during cooking.
  • Timer or Clock: Ensures exact 1-minute cooking time on each side.
  • Refrigerator: Cool storage space for marinating meat overnight.

Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Recipe Instructions

Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Recipe Instructions
  • Craft Tangy Marinade

Blend aromatic ingredients in a bowl, mixing vigorously to create a harmonious flavor profile. Submerge lamb heart pieces completely, allowing them to soak up the delicious essence. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to intensify taste.

  • Prepare Tender Meat

Gently remove excess marinade from lamb hearts. Delicately brush away clinging herbs and aromatics using a soft cloth or paper towel.

  • Sizzle With Precision

Ignite a heavy skillet until it reaches an intense heat that produces a visible shimmer. Confidently place lamb hearts into the scorching pan, creating an immediate sear.

  • Master Quick Cooking

Swiftly cook lamb hearts for mere moments on each side, achieving a beautiful caramelized exterior while preserving a succulent interior. Transfer immediately from heat to prevent overcooking.

  • Rest and Transform

Let lamb hearts relax on a clean surface for a brief moment, allowing internal juices to redistribute. Slice against the grain into delicate, thin pieces that showcase the meat’s natural texture.

  • Elevate With Finishing Touch

Sprinkle premium sea salt over the sliced hearts just before serving. This final flourish will amplify the rich flavors and add a delightful crisp sensation.

Serving Tip: Devour while piping hot, complemented by fresh greenery or a light accompaniment.

Tips for Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Cooking

Tips for Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Cooking
  • Boost Marinade Magic: Experiment with different acid components like red wine vinegar or lemon juice to tenderize and add depth to lamb hearts, creating a more complex flavor profile.
  • Customize Cooking Techniques: Try alternative methods like grilling over high heat or broiling for a smoky char that intensifies the meat's rich, robust taste. Adjust cooking time to preserve the heart's delicate texture.
  • Temperature Control Secrets: Use a meat thermometer to track internal temperature, aiming for medium-rare around 135°F. This ensures optimal tenderness and prevents overcooking, which can make lamb hearts tough and chewy.
  • Flavor Pairing Brilliance: Complement the intense lamb heart flavor with bold herbs like rosemary, thyme, or mint. Create a complementary sauce using garlic, butter, and fresh herbs to elevate the dish's overall taste experience.

Serving Ideas for Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Dish

Serving Ideas for Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Dish
  • Serve with Fresh Herbal Companions: Garnish the seared lamb hearts with a vibrant sprinkle of chopped parsley, cilantro, or mint to add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich meat flavor.
  • Create a Zesty Side Salad: Toss together a quick Mediterranean-inspired salad with crisp arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette to complement the lamb hearts' intense taste.
  • Plate with Rustic Elegance: Arrange the sliced lamb hearts on a wooden cutting board or slate plate, allowing the beautiful sear and delicate slicing to be the visual centerpiece of the dish.
  • Pair with Bold Wine Choice: Enhance the meal with a glass of robust red wine like Syrah or Malbec, which will stand up to the lamb hearts' intense and slightly gamey profile.

Storage Guidance for Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart

  • Maximize Meal Prep: Plan ahead by marinating lamb hearts the night before cooking for maximum flavor infusion.
  • Preserve Freshness: Store uncooked marinated lamb hearts in an airtight container in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
  • Smart Leftover Strategy: Refrigerate cooked lamb hearts in a sealed container for 2-3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet to maintain tenderness and prevent moisture loss.
  • Freezing Option: Wrap cooled, cooked lamb hearts tightly in freezer-safe packaging. Freeze for up to 1 month, ensuring best quality by thawing overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
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Hearty Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Recipe

Hearty Jamie Oliver Lamb Heart Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 12 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x

Description

Jamie Oliver’s lamb heart recipe introduces home cooks to a rustic, flavorful dish from British cuisine. Skilled preparation and bold seasoning elevate this traditionally overlooked ingredient into a memorable meal you can confidently master.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lamb heart, prepared into 3 pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1 sprig of thyme
  • ½ lemon (zested and juiced)
  • 1 dash olive oil
  • salt
  • coarsely ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Marinade Preparation: Whisk together all marinade components in a bowl, ensuring comprehensive coating of lamb heart. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight to intensify flavor absorption.
  2. Pan Preparation: Position a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan over high heat, creating an ultra-hot cooking surface for optimal searing.
  3. Meat Searing: Extract lamb heart from marinade, gently blotting excess moisture. Strategically place pieces in scorching pan, allowing each side to caramelize for 45-60 seconds, developing a robust exterior while preserving internal tenderness.
  4. Resting and Slicing: Transfer seared lamb heart to a cutting board, allowing a brief one-minute rest for juice redistribution. Using a razor-sharp knife, slice against the grain into delicate, uniform pieces to maximize texture and presentation.
  5. Final Garnish: Elegantly dust the sliced lamb heart with flaky sea salt, amplifying its natural flavor profile and introducing a subtle textural dimension.

Notes

  • Tenderize Strategically: Remove tough membranes and connective tissues from lamb heart before marinating to ensure ultimate meat softness and improved eating experience.
  • Marinate Patiently: Extended marination time (overnight) allows deeper flavor penetration and helps break down muscle fibers, resulting in more delicate meat texture.
  • Sear Precisely: Use extremely high heat and minimal cooking time to prevent overcooking, which can make lamb heart tough and chewy; aim for medium-rare doneness.
  • Rest Carefully: Allowing meat to rest after cooking enables internal juice redistribution, preventing moisture loss and maintaining succulent, rich flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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