Before you take your first juicy bite, you can already taste the Grilled Lamb Chops: the sizzle and flash of orange flame as the tender chops come into contact with the hot grill; the warm aromas of buttery garlic and rosemary that rise to meet your nose; the shimmer of olive oil; the gentle turn; the waft of smoke; and the deep char lines that indicate it will soon be time to eat.
Roasted Lamb Chops and Pan-Fried Lamb Chops are my go-to lamb recipes for a fuss-free dinner party, but in the summer, I find myself reaching for these grilled lamb chops. Note that this recipe is for lamb rib chops. Grilled Lamb Loin Chops require a longer marinating and grilling time, but are also delicious!
Lamb rib roasts can be purchased in the grocery store already cut into chops, but I’ve found that it’s less expensive to buy them there and then cut them into individual chops with a very sharp knife. To me, the chops seem fresher that way. Look for a roast with straight bones and round, meaty ends.
You should grill lamb chops for 3 to 4 minutes on each side over medium-high heat on a charcoal or gas barbecue if you prefer yours medium-rare, as I do. To check for the correct internal temperature, an instant read thermometer or meat thermometer should read 135°F when inserted in the thickest part. Let chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Lamb chops are so delicious on their own that they don’t need long marinating times or even much seasoning; just olive oil, salt, and pepper will do. However, for the way they enhance the flavor of lamb, I recommend adding garlic and rosemary as well. Other fresh herbs like Fresh thyme and/or oregano would also be delicious. If you like to add a burst of freshness right before serving, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice is just the thing.
- Mix together onion, vinegar, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large resealable bag. …
- Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
- Remove lamb from marinade and leave any onions on that stick to meat; discard marinade. …
- Cook on the preheated grill to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium.
LAMB CHOPS ON THE GRILL (SOMETHING NEW FOR YOUR BBQ) | SAM THE COOKING GUY
Grilled Lamb Chops 🔗
Easy to cook and exceptionally tender, these grilled lamb chops get a kick of flavor from garlic, lemon, parsley and just a touch of honey.
Prep: 5min
Total: 1h5min
Ingredients:
- 2 lb. lamb rib or loin chops
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/2 c. chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp. chopped fresh oregano
- 1/2 c. plus 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 2 tsp. lemon zest
- 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp. honey
- 1/4 tsp. red chile flakes
- 1 c. chopped mixed olives
Instruction:
- Add lamb chops to a resealable plastic bag. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together parsley, oregano, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper, honey, and chile flakes. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade in a small bowl. Pour the remaining marinade over the lamb. Seal the bag, and gently massage the marinade into the lamb chops. Refrigerate at least one hour or overnight. Add the olives to the remaining unused marinade; stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Remove the lamb and olive mixture from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling. Meanwhile, pre-heat the grill to medium-high heat, 400° to 450°. Oil the grill grates well. Remove the lamb chops from the marinade and scrape off any excess marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Grill the lamb chops uncovered until grill marks appear, 3 to 4 minutes for rib chops, or 4 to 5 minutes for loin chops. Turn the chops, and grill until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the meat registers 135°, 3 to 4 minutes for rib chops, or 4 to 5 minutes for loin chops. Cover cooked lamb chops with foil, and let rest 5 minutes.
- Stir the olive mixture to recombine the ingredients; spoon over the lamb just before serving.
FAQ
How long does lamb chops take to grill?
The chops should be seared for about 2 minutes in a grill pan that has been heated to almost smoking. Flip the chops over and cook for an additional 3 minutes for medium-rare and 3 1/2 minutes for medium.
How do you grill tender lamb chops?
Lamb chops should be placed on the cool side of the grill, rubbed with olive oil, and peppered. The grill should be covered and left to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chops reads 110°F (43°C) for rare or 120°F (49°C) for medium-rare.
Should you salt lamb chops before grilling?
The Ole’ Salt and Sit: Lamb chops should be salted and left to sit for 20 to 30 minutes for the rib and loin chops, and for 40 to 60 minutes for the shoulder chop, before cooking.