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How to Cook the BEST Lamb Chops

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

January 30, 2025

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Learn how to cook lamb chops with perfect results every time! Make a quick marinade with olive oil, garlic, lemon and rosemary. Then, cook your chops on the grill, in the oven, or on the stove. 

Close up of cooked lamb chops.

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Why you’ll love them

Lamb Chops make the perfect meal for any occasion. They’re quick to prepare and definitely easy to devour… Everyone loves them! 

But, your guests will never guess how easy they are to make. In 5 minutes, you can whip up a flavor packed garlicky-herb marinade. Plus, there’s no need to marinate the lamb chops overnight. With this citrusy marinade, the flavors will permeate and tenderize the meat in as little as 30 minutes. 

Once they’ve marinated, and have come to room temperature for a bit, just pop them onto a hot grill, a stovetop grill pan, or under the broiler. They’ll be perfectly cooked in under 10 minutes! 

Juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. 

What more could you ask for? 

Ingredients to make lamb chops on counter.

Lamb chops vs. rack of lamb

Lamb rib chops are cut from the ribs of a lamb. A rack of lamb is a section of eight ribs with meat attached. The rack is usually the more cost-effective choice. Because of this, I like to purchase a whole rack of lamb and cut it into individual lamb chops. 

You’ll want a frenched rack of lamb, meaning that the rib bones are exposed. Most racks of lamb will already come this way, but you can also ask your butcher to do this for you.

I’ve mentioned before how I prefer cooking with American Lamb, but just to recap, here’s why I choose it over lamb from Australia or New Zealand:

  • By choosing American Lamb, you’re supporting local farmers and ranchers throughout the US.
  • Raising lamb in the US is a family affair with more than 80,000 family owned operations.
  • Sheep improve pasture quality by recycling vital nutrients back into the soil, minimizing erosion and encouraging plant growth.
  • The majority of sheep in the states graze pastures for most of their lives.
Lamb chops on cutting board.

Ingredients needed

  • Lamb Rib Chops – Or, a rack of lamb that has been cut into individual lamb chops that are about ¾-inch thick. 
  • Olive Oil 
  • Garlic
  • Rosemary – Or, substitute half the amount of dried rosemary. 
  • Fresh Lemon – We’ll use both the zest and the juice. 
  • Salt & Pepper
Lamb marinade in small measuring cup with whisk.

How to cook lamb chops

Combine the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt & pepper in a small bowl.

Pour the mixture over the lamb chops and let marinate at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.

Lamb chops in marinade.

On the grill 

Heat grill to 500-degrees and grill chops for 2-4 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reads 135-degrees, for medium-rare. See below for recommended cooking temperatures. 

Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

On the stove

Preheat a grill pan to medium-high heat. Then, cook the chops for 2-4 minutes per side.

In the oven

Preheat your broiler to HIGH. Remove lamb chops from the refrigerator 30-minutes before you plan to cook them. Broil for 3-5 minutes per side.

Cooked lamb chops on white plate.

Lamb chops cooking temperatures

  • Rare: 115ºF – 124ºF (very pink inside)
  • Medium rare: 125ºF – 135ºFF (bright pink inside) 
  • Medium: 136ºF – 144ºF (light pink inside) 
  • Medium well: 145ºF – 154ºF (barely any pink left)
  • Well done: 155ºF (no pink)

Note: The USDA recommends cooking lamb to an internal temperature of 145 degrees with a 3 minute rest. 

Pro Tips

  • Don’t over-marinate the lamb. If the lamb is left marinating for more than 24 hours, the citrus will cause the meat to break down too much. 
  • Be sure to let your lamb come to room temperature before placing it on your hot grill. This ensures that it will grill up evenly, without the inside of the lamb being too rare.
  • Use a meat thermometer! It’s much easier than eyeballing it. When the internal temperature reaches 130ºF, the lamb will be a nice medium rare. 
  • Leaving the grilled chops to rest for 5 minutes is preferred to seal in the delicious juices and flavor.
Prepared lamb chops arranged on grey plate.

FAQ

How many lamb chops per person? 

Plan on 3-4 rib chops per person. 

How can you tell if lamb is cooked without a thermometer?

To tell if lamb is done without a thermometer, make a small cut into the lamb and touch the knife to your wrist. If the knife is cold, the meat is still raw. If it’s similar to your body temperature, it’s medium rare. If it’s warm, it’s medium. And if it’s hot, it’s well done.  

What temperature should medium rare lamb be?

For the perfect lamb chops, medium-rare is the preferred doneness. For medium rare, remove it from the grill when the thickest part of the lamb chop reaches 130-degrees. It will continue to cook a bit as it rests. 

How many ribs are in a rack of lamb?

You’ll find racks of lamb typically with eight ribs, but your butcher can cut them into smaller pieces if you’re serving less people. 

Cooked lamb chops on plate.

What to serve with lamb chops

Sauces for lamb chops

  • Mint jelly
  • Olive Relish
  • Chimichurri Sauce
  • Bernaise Sauce
  • Mint Mustard Sauce
  • Bordelaise Sauce
  • 17+ MORE sauces for lamb chops

Side dishes for lamb chops

  • Creamy Polenta
  • Sugar Snap Pea Salad
  • Duchess Potatoes
  • Arugula Salad
  • Glazed Carrots
  • Sauteed Spinach 
  • MORE → my must try lamb side dishes

Wine Pairings for Lamb Chops

  • Malbec with medium body and smooth tannins makes an excellent pairing for the rich lamb chops.
  • Petite Sirah is another great match. With its typical flavors of plum, raspberry, blackberries, and black pepper it lends itself wonderfully to stronger flavored meats, such as lamb.
  • Syrah is another wine that will stand up nicely to these lamb chops and the spices going on in the peanut sauce.
  • MORE → my 8 favorite lamb wine pairings.
Cooked lamb chops on large white plate.

More Lamb Recipes

  • Lamb Kebab Recipe with Sesame Sauce
  • Slow Cooker Lamb Curry
  • Cumin Lamb Noodles
  • Marinated Lamb Chops with Rosemary & Garlic
  • Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Basil Tahini Sauce
  • Broiled Lamb Chops with Mint Mustard Sauce
  • Sheet Pan Lamb Dinner
  • Grilled Lamb Chops with Spicy Peanut Sauce
  • Instant Pot Pasta with Lamb & Mint
  • Grilled Rack of Lamb with Pistachio Basil Pesto
  • More→ 35+ BEST lamb recipes

Did you try these lamb chops?

If you loved this guide on how to cook lamb chops, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Prepared lamb chops arranged on grey plate.

Full Recipe

How to Cook the BEST Lamb Chops

Learn how to cook lamb chops with perfect results every time! Make a quick marinade with olive oil, garlic, lemon and rosemary. Then, cook your chops on the grill, in the oven, or on the stove.
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Serves 2 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 8 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Marinating Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 48 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 8 American lamb rib chops (¾ inches thick)
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic (grated or minced)
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped, or 1 tsp dried rosemary)
  • 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Combine the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt & pepper in a small bowl.
  • Pour the mixture over the lamb chops and let marinate at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.

Grill

  • Heat grill to 500-degrees and grill chops for 2-4 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reads 135-degrees, for medium-rare*.
  • Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Grill Pan

  • Cook on medium-high heat for 2-4 minutes per side.

Broiler

  • Preheat your broiler to HIGH. Remove lamb chops from the refrigerator 30-minutes before you plan to cook them. Broil for 3-5 minutes per side.

Notes

*USDA recommends lamb reach an internal temperature of 145F with a 3 minute rest. 

Nutrition

Calories: 1027kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 91g | Fat: 69g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 36g | Cholesterol: 298mg | Sodium: 1491mg | Potassium: 1301mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 8mg
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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