mainCypriot

Kleftiko

Name: Kleftiko
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 300 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Cypriot
Ingredients: 2 kg Lamb shoulder (bone-in); 1 kg Potatoes; 10 cloves Garlic; 2 pieces Lemons; 2 tbsp Dried oregano; 1 piece Cinnamon stick; 3 pieces Bay leaves; 100 ml Olive oil; 200 g Halloumi (optional); To taste Salt and pepper

Kleftiko is a classic Cypriot main that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Lamb shoulder (bone-in), Potatoes, Garlic, Lemons, Dried oregano, Cinnamon stick, Bay leaves, Halloumi (optional) and Salt and pepper, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. The cooking process allows natural aromas to develop, ensuring each portion is both hearty and flavorful.

Serve hot alongside fresh bread, steamed grains, or a crisp seasonal salad for a well-rounded dining experience.

If you enjoy authentic Cypriot cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Ají De Gallina.

Difficulty: easyPrep: 30 minCook: 300 minServes 6

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Ingredients

Lamb shoulder (bone-in)2 kg
Potatoes1 kg
Garlic10 cloves
Lemons2 pieces
Dried oregano2 tbsp
Cinnamon stick1 piece
Bay leaves3 pieces
Olive oil100 ml
Halloumi (optional)200 g
Salt and pepperTo taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

7 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1

Cut deep slits into the lamb and push a sliver of garlic into each.

Step 2

Rub the meat with salt, pepper, oregano, olive oil and lemon juice.

Step 3🥣 Marinate

Leave the lamb to marinate in the fridge for at least four hours.

Step 4

Cut the potatoes into large wedges and lay them in the base of a clay dish.

Step 5

Set the meat on the potatoes and add the bay, cinnamon and lemon halves.

Step 6

Cover it and seal the join with a strip of dough or a double layer of foil.

Step 7🥧 Bake

Bake at 160 °C for five hours without opening it and rest it twenty minutes.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Kleftiko carries a rich culinary tradition rooted in regional home cooking. Developed over generations, the recipe highlights wholesome local ingredients prepared with time-honored kitchen techniques.

Dietary Substitutions

If using instant dry yeast instead of active dry yeast, you can mix it directly into the dry ingredients without proofing first, reducing wait time by 15 minutes.

Chef Technique Tips

Always ensure liquids used to activate the yeast are comfortably lukewarm (around 38°C–42°C / 100°F–108°F); liquid that is too hot will kill the yeast, while cold liquid delays proofing. Keep the dough in a warm, draft-free spot to rise.

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