Lamb benefits greatly from a marinade, which you can leave either overnight or for a few hours. Chops and small cuts of lamb benefit from about four to 5 hours of marinade time, while larger cuts, such as a rack of lamb, should be marinated between 8-24 hours. The lamb soaks up the marinade, allowing the acids to further break down and tenderize the meat. If you're preparing a Mediterranean dish, opt for lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs. A Middle Eastern dish relies more on spices, such as cumin, nutmeg, cloves, and pepper. Other flavors to consider include rosemary, mint, thyme, and oregano.