Leg of Lamb Cook Time 225 / 250 / 275°F

Honest time ranges for planning the day — then a thermometer, not the clock, decides when it's done. Pull window: 130–135°F.

Hours by weight and pit temp

Weight225°F250°F275°F
Per pound 0.5–0.67 hr/lb0.42–0.58 hr/lb0.33–0.5 hr/lb
5 lb 2½–3¼ hr2–3 hr1¾–2½ hr
6 lb 3–4 hr2½–3½ hr2–3 hr
7 lb 3½–4¾ hr3–4 hr2¼–3½ hr
9 lb 4½–6 hr3¾–5¼ hr3–4½ hr
⏱️ Worked example: to serve at 6:00 pm, a 7-lb bone-in leg at 250°F (3–4 hr) plus rest and a cushion means meat on around 12:56 pm, smoker lit ~40 minutes earlier. The cook time planner runs this for your own serve time.

Doneness: 130–135°F

Pull at 130–135°F for a blushing medium-rare after rest. The leg is lean — past medium it tightens quickly.

🌡️ Food safety: USDA: whole-muscle lamb is safe at 145°F with a 3-minute rest.

Wrapping

No wrap for a medium-rare leg. Taking it to pulled instead? Wrap at the stall like a pork butt and ride to 195°F+.

Rest & hold

Rest at least 20–30 minutes. Rest tented 20–30 minutes; carve around the bone in thick slices. For food safety, hold hot meat above 140°F — a wrapped rest in a dry cooler does exactly that.

How much to buy

Quantities are the other half of the plan: portions, yield, and a group-size chart live on how much leg of lamb per person.

Frequently asked questions

How long does leg of lamb take to smoke at 225°F?

Plan 0.5–0.67 hours per pound at 225°F — a typical 7-lb bone-in leg runs 3½–4¾ hr. That's a planning range, not a promise: shape, fat, and the stall all move the finish.

What temperature is leg of lamb done?

Pull at 130–135°F for a blushing medium-rare after rest. The leg is lean — past medium it tightens quickly. USDA: whole-muscle lamb is safe at 145°F with a 3-minute rest.

Should I wrap leg of lamb?

No wrap for a medium-rare leg. Taking it to pulled instead? Wrap at the stall like a pork butt and ride to 195°F+.

How long should leg of lamb rest?

At least 20–30 minutes. Rest tented 20–30 minutes; carve around the bone in thick slices.