Is a roasted whole leg of lamb too much for 5 people?

[BarmyBrunhilde]

Two adult men with large appetites, an adult woman with a large appetite, another woman with a moderate appetite, and a pre teen boy with a large appetite. I'm wondering whether I should just do half which I can do for this recipe, but would rather have too much than little if that makes sense (but don't want a spend a fortune and go overboard if totally unecessary?)

I think you need it all!

I would do a whole leg for that many with good apetites.

That would be devoured in no time with larger appetites

Half a leg wouldn’t be enough.

Maybe try a whole shoulder if you want it a little cheaper? Needs to be slow cooked.

I’d do a whole leg. You could do half, but I think you might be able to get through over half with big hungry people, and lamb leftovers are nice. I like saving the gravy and making lamb pasta the next day, or having it in wraps with hummus etc.

Agreed! We don't have huge appetites and will still devour half a leg between four with nothing leftover.

Go for the whole leg!

I do half a leg for 3 moderate appetites

I cooked a leg which did 4 adults as a dinner and then the same again the next day as shepherds pie (albeit with a heavy potato topping!).

My mouth is watering.
What time shall l come round op?! Definitely do the whole leg!!

The only thing that would put me off the whole leg is the cost, it's very expensive - but oh so delicious 😋

Noooo, a whole leg is about right for that crowd!

You don’t get as much meat on a leg of lamb as you think (or I don’t, anyway). Definitely do the whole thing; I doubt a half will yield five decent portions. It’s nice to be able to offer seconds - and you can make shepherds pie or stew with the leftovers if there are any.

Cook it all. It's cheaper to do that and reheat left overs.

I'd actually say that you hope there might be left overs too, to stop greedy guts.

Ok fab, thanks all, I will stick with whole leg in that case - am doing a roast traybake with potatoes and peas, so definitely suitable for leftovers!

Just coming on to say that a half is too small although you may well have leftovers. But that is, in my opinion, practically a reason to do a big joint in the first place!

I am always of the opinion that meat cooks better and tastes better if cooked in a bigger piece. Leftovers will be delicious if there are any. I always sit and strip the meat off the bones of a big piece after we've finished eating and freeze it in little bags, to add to pies / pastas etc in the future.

Mmmm lamb hotpot is hugely underrated and worth doing a whole leg just for that IMO.

Tonnes of leftover recipes or you can freeze if there's a chance they'll be any left.

Do the whole leg, then have moussaka the next day, and if still going shepherd's pie the following one.