Important tips and step-by-step tutorial for Mediterranean lamb chop recipe included!
Many people are intimidated by lamb, or they think you have to wait for a special occasion to serve it. Sure, save the big leg of lamb and potatoes for the holidays, but something like lamb chops can make a great meal any night of the week! I have a little bias toward lamb rack chops–also known as baby lamb chops–being of the less fatty variety, they are taken from the ribs of the lamb and are super tender and succulent. These lamb chops are really hard to mess up, whether you choose to do a roast rack of lamb; sear them in a cast iron skillet like these tasty Greek pan-seared lamb chops or harissa lamb chops; or grill ’em up as we do in today’s recipe.
Two Tips for Best Mediterranean Grilled Lamb Chops:
This grilled lamb chop recipe are easy to prepare, and you can use an outdoor grill or indoor pan grill, but a couple things make all the difference… 1- The Marinade! Most important thing to me is making sure the lamb chops are well-flavored. Lamb chops have a delicious, rich and somewhat gamy taste, they can stand any number of seasonings and marinades. Here, the lamb chops are treated with a Mediterranean garlic-spice rub–a combination of garlic, fresh mint with warm spices like allspice, cardamom, nutmeg, and paprika. Then, we let them marinade with onions, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil for 1 to 4 hours in the fridge. You’ll find that marinating them, even for just a little while, adds layers of flavor and truly helps the lamb chops shine. And hey, if you want to do this step ahead of time, totally fine to marinate overnight. 2- High Heat. Tender lamb chops need brief high heat to cook. Whether you fire up your outdoor grill, or use a grill pan or griddle, high heat is what you need. For medium-rare lamb chops, grill for a total of 5 minutes or so (2 minutes on one side, and 3 on the other. Internal temperature should register 125 degrees F.) And for medium, go just an extra 1/2 minute (internal temperature should register 135 degrees F.)
Step-by-Step for how to cook lamb chops:
20 to 25 minutes before grilling, remove the lamb chops from the fridge.
2.While the lamb chops rest at room temperature for a few minutes, make the tomato quinoa (or prepare what other sides you are making.) Cook the quinoa according to the package adding a dash of salt and olive oil to the cooking water (it’ll take about 20 minutes to cook.)
Continuing with the quinoa, now we add flavor. In a non-stick pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and stir in the chopped garlic. Add the canned diced tomato. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the cooked quinoa. Once warmed through, add the chopped fresh mint. Stir to combine and remove from heat. Off heat, add chopped red onions, feta cheese and more fresh mint leaves for garnish
5. Time to grill the lamb chops! You can do this on a high-heated gas grill or an indoor pan grill or griddle. For medium-rare, grill the lamb chops on one side for 2 minute, then turn over on the other side and cook another 3 minutes. For medium, go an extra 1/2 minute on the second side.
- When ready to serve, transfer the quinoa to serving bowls and top with the lamb chops (2 to 3 chops per person for dinner). Remember, you can serve just the grilled lamb chops for an appetizer; 1 chop per person would be fine for an appetizer.
What to Serve with these Lamb Chops?
I like the Mediterranean tomato mint quinoa here as a side. But you can serve these grilled lamb chops with Greek lemon rice and any number of fresh salads like Mediterranean grilled vegetables; grilled zucchini salad; Three Bean Salad; Mediterranean Watermelon Salad; Tomato Salad. I love to add some dips like classic hummus, Greek tzatziki sauce, or even this awesome Citrus Avocado Dip.
More Recipes to Try
Best Moroccan Meatballs Easy Lemon Chicken Recipe Greek Pastitsio Mediterranean Baked Fish with Tomatoes and Capers
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*This post first appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2015 and has been recently updated with new information and media for readers’ benefit. Enjoy! 5 from 32 reviews