Easy Lemon Garlic Lamb Chops Recipe
This easy lemon garlic lamb chops recipe is quick to cook and delivers perfectly juicy and lamb, every time. Great for weeknights when you want a delicious dinner on the table fast.
Lamb Chops: Easy and Flavorful
If you’ve never cooked lamb chops before, you are missing out big time. Lamb is an incredibly flavorful, rich cut of meat and delicious with a variety of flavorings. We love it most with Greek or Middle Eastern flavors which highlights the flavor of the lamb perfectly. Because lamb is so flavorful, it can stand up to strong flavors like rosemary, garlic and lemon so use those in abundance when cooking lamb.
This recipe turns out well every time with meat that is soft and juicy with a crispy, golden fat cap.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Lamb rib chops. I prefer rib chops but lamb loin chops can also be used.
- Extra virgin olive oil.
- Fresh lemon juice.
- Fresh garlic cloves.
- Herbs: I used oregano, fresh rosemary and thyme.
- Red pepper flakes/chilli flakes.
- Salt and black pepper.
Lemon Garlic Lamb Chop Marinade
Marinating the chops ensures juicy, tender and delicious lamb. I recommend marinating for at least 10 minutes but ideally a few hours. If marinating in the fridge overnight, allow the meat to come to room temperature before cooking. Marinating in lemon juice for more than 12 hours can alter the meat’s texture so that should be your max marinating time.
How to cook lamb chops
- Season the lamb: In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, lemon juice and aromatics. Pour over the lamb then allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Cook: Pre-heat a cast iron skillet/pan over medium high heat until smoking hot. You could also use a grill pan or stainless steal frying pan. Sear the lamb for 2-4 minutes per side (depending on their thickness) then stand the chops on the fat cap to allow the fat to render and caramelize. Remove the chops from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat resulting in soft, juicy meat.
How Long To Cook Lamb Chops
Lamb chops are best when they are done medium-rare (62ºC/145ºF) to medium (65ºC/150ºF) . The meat should be blushing pink in the center.
| Doneness | Remove at | Final Temp | Cook Time/Side |
| Rare | 120°F / 49°C | 125°F / 52°C | 2 minutes |
| Medium-Rare (recommended) | 130°F / 54°C | 135°F / 57°C | 3 minutes |
| Medium | 140°F / 60°C | 145°F / 63°C | 4 minutes |
| Medium-Well | 150°F / 66°C | 155°F / 68°C | 5 minutes |
| Well Done | 160°F / 71°C | 165°F / 74°C | 6–7 minutes |
Tips For The Best Lamb Chops
- Room temperature: If marinating your lamb chops in the fridge overnight, allow the meat to come to room temperature before cooking. This will ensure even cooking and a delicious, juicy result.
- Cook over high heat: Lamb chops or lamb cutlets (especially thinner ones) are best cooked in a smoking hot pan. This allows a deep golden crust to form without over-cooking the meat.
- Always rest: All meat should be allowed to rest for a few minutes after cooking. I usually give these 3-5 minutes to rest while I finish the side dishes. Resting meat allows the juices to redistribute into the meat giving you tender, juicy lamb chops.
Can I make this ahead?
The chops can be marinated for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator before cooking. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Side Dishes for Lamb Chops
These easy lamb chops are fantastic served for dinner with crispy potatoes and a big green salad. Vegetable side dishes like green beans, asparagus and broccoli are also good options. During warmer months we love it with potato salad or pasta salad.
Video
Ingredients
- 8 lamb chops Depending on their size, serve 1-2 per person
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- juice of 1 lemon, approximately 3-4 tablespoons
- 2-3 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp thyme leaves
- 2 tsp chopped rosemary
- 1 tsp chilli/red pepper flakes
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 tsp salt
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat a cast-iron/stainless steel pan over high heat.
- Drizzle the lamb chops with the olive oil and lemon juice then generously season with the herbs, spices and garlic on both sides.
- Place the lamb chops in the hot pan then sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Flip the lamb chops onto the fat side and allow to sear until the fat has started to render and has caramelized.
- Remove from the pan and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving with lemon wedges.
Nutrition
Lamb Chops FAQ
Depending on the size and thickness, they can be cooked for anything from 2-7 minutes per side. If they are on the thinner, smaller side, cooking them for longer will result in tough, over-cooked meat.
Both are great options for cooking lamb. We love pan frying lamb for an easy weeknight meal but grilling adds incredible flavor and the aroma from the smoke really works well with the meatiness of the lamb.
Because lamb is so flavorful and rich, you can be generous with the seasonings. It really can take it. Lamb is delicious with a variety of spices like coriander, cumin, paprika and chilli flakes. It’s also great with herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano. Lemon and garlic are also always a good idea.
Lamb cutlets are cut from the rib whereas there are various cuts of lamb chops. Lamb cutlets and lamb rib chops are the same thing.
Yes, lamb chops are great cooked in the air fryer. Follow my air fryer lamb chops recipe.
Lemon and lamb are a match made in heaven. The lemon cuts through the richness of the lamb chops by adding bright, zesty flavor.
We love lamb chops with a simple salad and potatoes. However, lamb goes with a variety of side dishes.
Lamb Chop Recipes
Do you only post comments that leave 5 starts?
Not at all, if the comment contains less than 5 stars with valid reason without being a troll, I always approve it as I want to help my readers better understand my recipes. I also find constructive criticism of a recipe helpful to other readers. For instance, I wouldn’t normally approve this comment because you’ve added a 2 star rating with no actual evidence that you’ve cooked this recipe, however, I wanted to respond to you so I’m leaving your unnecessarily low rating in tact. For now.
Confusing information for the recipe…there seems to be two different recipes on the same page.
There is the recipe card that includes all the measurements etc. and then the breakdown at the top of the page. What is confusing to you?
The recipe was so easy to follow and make!!! 😀
Hi Alida, I’ve been following you for quite a while now and love everything that I’ve made. I happen to have some lamb chops out from the freeze for our dinner, but instead of making them a boring meal I decided to try your recipe. Can you please tell me if this can be done in the Air Fryer even though you probably can’t reply in time for me now I’d still like to try this for later. Thank you. 15/12/2023.
Hi Josephine. I think they would be great in the air fryer. 200C/400F for 10-12 minutes depending on thickness.
Excellent lamb recipe, and so easy.This is my go-to recipe when lamb is on sale. This is a keeper, thanks for sharing.
So glad to hear that Barbara!
Great recipe. We don’t eat a lot of lamb but this recipe has convinced me to include it more.
Hope you love it!
Had these for lunch at my MIL’s and she sent me here to come get the recipe. Such tasty chops and definitely making them again this week. Thanks!
That’s so great to hear. Thanks! 🙂
Have made this twice already. They are so good!
Yay! 🙂
The chops were very tasty. I love that o had all the ingredients in my pantry already. Definitely adding this recipe to my weekly rotation.
So glad you liked them Fran!
Made this recipe for dinner and it was delicious. The lamb chops were so tasty.
So happy to hear that Belinda! 🙂