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.
Love these little tasty bites. Had some fresh mint from the garden and added it with the rosemary, garlic and EVO. I also took off the silver skin on the back.
So glad you enjoyed these, Sherryl! Thank you for your cooking notes - fresh mint is a great addition.
Excellent results following this recipe
So glad you enjoyed these, Qaiser!
Simple and so delicious. We've used this recipe several times this summer.
I'm so glad to hear it, Caprice! Thank you for coming back to let me know.
Simple and very tasty
Thank you, John! I'm so glad you enjoyed these.
Hands down best lamb recipe. Even when I forgot the lamb on the grill for 15 minutes, it still tasted great. It’s become our special occasion go-to recipe!
I'm so happy to hear this, Manal! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
I just made this recipe last night and everyone LOVED it! They were a perfect blend of simple herbs and everyone asked for the recipe!
That’s wonderful, Hamna! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
They look absolutely amazing. I love how I can see all that fresh garlic and rosemary on the lamb chops. My mom loves lamb so I am thinking of making it for her for mother's day.
That's great, Scarlet! Thank so much!
We happen to be on the same page, I've got lamb loin chops marinating in the fridge as I write this. Yours look and sound like they were great.
Love it! Thank you, Karen. We can't get enough of them this time of year.
Bill loves lamb and I haven't made lamb chops in ages! So easy and yours look scrumptious!!!
Thank you so much, Liz! I hope you and Bill will give these a try! 🙂
I love these chops and I adore your opening paragraph.... I could sit and think about that image all day long. Beautiful, my friend! Shared!
What a nice compliment. Thank you, Annie!
Rosemary is a must for lamb isn't it? Love this! PS, please teach me how to grill things so perfectly :). I'm not a master of the grill at all but I aspire to be!
I'll teach you to grill and you teach me how to make those delicious baked goods of yours! 😉
Like you, lamb chops haven't been on my radar until recently either. I do love to grill, so I might have to make this one soon! I love how easy they are to make, too. Oh, and great tip about the lamb roast and cutting at home. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, David! They really are perfect for a fuss free dinner!
Just beautiful. I love this marinade, and would probably drizzle more on after the grilling! My husband won’t eat lamb, but I do have a couple friends who I have over when I can’t wait any longer!
Thanks so much, Mimi! If you have people who don't like lamb, the marinade works great on chicken too. 🙂
These are so easy and look amazing! Truly mouthwatering!
So kind, Karly! Thank you!
How good do these look?! Lamb and rosemary is such a delicious combination! I can practically smell them cooking now! Perfect summer recipe 🙂
I agree - just something about that combo! Thank you, Dawn!
I actually have a few lamb rib chops in the freezer and I've been meaning to cook them! Thanks to this delicious post, now I know EXACTLY what to do with them! These look amazing, Marissa! And your video has me drooling!!!!! Pinning! Cheers!
woohoo! You know that makes me happy, Cheyanne! 🙂
Weak in the knees for sure Marissa! These look so succulent! Love the easy topping too. Perfect for summer grilling!
Thanks so much, Mary Ann!
Hello my friend! We had your roasted lamb chops the other day with fresh greeh beahs and tomatoes from the garden. NOW you show me these! I think a Mediterrian salad would work well with these. As always your posts make me hungry even if I have just eaten! 🙂
That garden of yours, Dorothy! I'm envious! So glad you enjoyed the roasted lamb chops and can't wait for you to try these. xo
Sorry Marissa... I think you serving size is inflated! This would be a 2-3 people recipe at best in my house.
I need 4 of these lollipops for me! Hmmm - Weekend dinner shaping up. Thanks
haha, you're probably right, Tom! I think I'll change the serving note to 8 chops instead and then everyone can decide for themselves how many that serves. 😉 Hope you enjoyed them!
Hello, my Queen of the lamb! 😉 These would be perfect with some tzatziki! I'm all about the grilling in this summer heat!!
That is the first time I've been called, 'Queen of the Lamb' (or queen of anything for that matter, lol!) Thanks so much, Katherine! And love your idea of these with some cold, cucumbery tzatziki!!