Recipe: How To Make Kleftiko | Greek Food
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Here is how to make Kleftiko.
Kleftiko is a traditional Greek dish that, traditionally, is slow-cooked lamb with potatoes and herbs. The lamb is marinated in garlic and lemon and then cooked very slowly, either in an oven or over an open fire, until it is so tender it falls off the bone. Here's a recipe for you to make it at home:
Ingredients:
1.5kg (about 3.3 lbs) leg of lamb, bone-in
1kg (about 2.2 lbs) potatoes, cut into wedges
10 cloves of garlic, peeled
Juice of 2 lemons
4 tablespoons of olive oil
2 teaspoons of dried oregano
2 sprigs of rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Marinate the lamb: Place the leg of lamb in the marinade, making sure it's fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but ideally overnight.
Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
Prepare the lamb and potatoes: Place the marinated lamb in a deep roasting pan. Surround it with the potato wedges. Pour any leftover marinade over the lamb and potatoes.
Cook the lamb: Cover the pan with a lid or foil and cook in the preheated oven for about 4-5 hours, or until the lamb is extremely tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
Serve: Allow the lamb to rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve the Kleftiko with the potatoes and any other sides you like, such as a Greek salad or tzatziki.
Enjoy your homemade Kleftiko! This is a truly traditional Greek dish, full of rich, hearty flavors. The slow cooking time really allows the lamb to absorb all the flavors of the marinade, resulting in a succulent and flavorful dish.
