You experience these Grilled Lamb Chops well before your first juicy bite. The sizzle and flash of orange flame as tender chops meet the hot grill; warm scents of piney rosemary and buttery garlic rise to meet your nose, olive oil shimmers. A gentle turn, a waft of smoke and deep char lines promise that, soon, it will be time to eat.
I have to be honest that I’ve just discovered lamb rib chops in the past few years. Roasted Lamb Chops and Pan-Fried Lamb Chops are my go-to lamb recipes for a zero fuss dinner party. But in the summer, I find myself turning to 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!
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Ingredients You Need to Make Grilled Lamb Chops
- Lamb Rib Chops: about ¾-inch thick and Frenched (trimmed of excess fat).
- Garlic: compact and firm fresh garlic cloves
- Olive Oil: ideally good quality, extra-virgin olive oil
- Fresh Rosemary: dried rosemary isn't a good substitute here
- Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Money Saving Tip
You can find lamb rib chops already cut in the grocery store, but I've found that it's less expensive to buy lamb rib roasts (rack of lamb) and 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
FAQ
If you like your lamb chops cooked to medium-rare (as I do), you’ll grill them just long enough to get a good sear on the outside and stay juicy within. Grilling 3 to 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat on a charcoal or gas outdoor grill is just right. 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 5 minutes before serving.
Lamb chops are so delicious on their own that they don’t require long marinating times or even much seasoning, just olive oil, salt and pepper will do. But I recommend adding garlic and rosemary too for the way they accentuate the flavor of lamb. Other fresh herbs like Fresh thyme and/or oregano would also be delicious! If you like to add a burst of freshness just before serving, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice is just the thing.
What to Serve With Grilled Lamb Chops
- For a delicious summer meal that's weeknight easy, serve with a grilled vegetable side dish like:
- Or serve alongside one of these hearty salads:
- Or for a Mediterranean feast, serve with Homemade Pita Bread, Baba Ganoush, White Bean Hummus, Tzatziki and Greek Salad.
How to Make Grilled Lamb Chops
Combine marinade ingredients in a small bowl: olive oil, garlic, fresh rosemary, salt and pepper.
Spoon marinade over each lamb chop.
Grill over medium-high heat for 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer lamb chops to a serving platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve.
Recipe Video
Grilled Lamb Chops
Ingredients
- 8 lamb chops ¾ inches thick
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary dried rosemary is not a good substitute here
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or stove top grill pan to medium-high.
- Combine all marinade ingredients (olive oil through pepper) in a small bowl. Spoon this mixture evenly over both sides of lamb chops.
- Grill lamb chops for 2 to 4 minutes on each side to desired doneness, 135°F for medium-rare. Transfer to platter and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Though it's not necessary to marinate ahead of time, feel free to season the lamb chops a few hours before you plan to grill them and refrigerate. Take the chops out 30 minutes ahead of grilling to bring them to room temperature.
- Note that this recipe is for lamb rib chops. This recipe works for lamb loin chops, but you'll want to increase the cooking time by 2 or 3 minutes on each side.
- You can find lamb rib chops already cut in the grocery store, but I've found that it's less expensive to buy lamb rib roasts and cut them into individual chops with a very sharp knife.
Tasty and tender
So glad you enjoyed these, Dennis!
Marissa, your intro is like poem. It completely lured me in. And it didn't hurt that I think lamb + rosemary + garlic s the best combination ever. 🙂 ~Valentina
That's so kind, Valentina. Thank you! Same for me - one of my all time favorite flavor combos.