Easy & Simple: Mediterranean Lamb Chop Recipe

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Do you love lamb as much as I do? If you’re nodding right now, you’re going to adore this recipe. In my household, lamb is a staple; we have it more often than beef. It’s tender, juicy, and packed full of flavor, especially when it’s bathed in a marinade bursting with rosemary, garlic, and a hint of lemon.

Looking for a straightforward and delightful twist to your usual meals? Discover the wonders of my easy lamb chop recipe, a Mediterranean delight guaranteed to be a palate-pleaser. In my kitchen, these juicy, flavorful cuts swiftly take center stage over other proteins, offering a unique and hearty flavor that satisfies every taste preference.

While lamb chops may not be a staple in traditional American cuisine, they are revered in Mediterranean cuisine. With their distinct, robust flavor and significant health benefits, it’s no surprise that lamb chops in Mediterranean style are gaining well-deserved recognition and popularity in the United States. However, the true appeal of Mediterranean lamb chops lies in their simplicity and ease of preparation. With my easy lamb chop recipe, you can effortlessly turn these succulent cuts into a delightful, loved meal in just minutes, making it a quick and exquisite addition to your dining table.

Ingredients for your Mediterranean lamb chop recipe

  • Lamb Chops: The star of the dish, lamb chops offer a distinct and robust flavor that sets this recipe apart. They are a good source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. The rich, savory taste of lamb pairs perfectly with the Mediterranean spices and herbs.
  • Olive Oil: Olive oil adds a delightful richness to the dish and brings heart-healthy monounsaturated fats to the table. It enhances the overall flavor and helps create a flavorful crust on the lamb chops when seared.
  • Lemon Zest and Juice: Fresh lemon zest and juice infuse the lamb chops with a bright, citrusy flavor that balances the meat’s richness. Lemons are also a good source of vitamin C, providing a dose of antioxidants.
  • Garlic: Garlic adds depth and complexity to the dish’s pungent and slightly sweet flavor. It’s delicious and offers potential health benefits, such as boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.
  • Fresh Rosemary: Fresh rosemary lends the lamb chops a fragrant, earthy flavor. It complements the meat beautifully and is known for its potential health benefits, including improved digestion and memory enhancement.
  • Dry Oregano: Oregano contributes a distinctive Mediterranean flavor with its slightly bitter and aromatic taste. It’s a source of antioxidants and may have antibacterial properties.
  • Salt, Pepper, Paprika, and Baharat Spice: These seasonings provide a well-rounded blend of flavors. Salt enhances the overall taste, pepper adds a touch of heat, paprika lends a smoky-sweet note, and Baharat spice infuses the dish with Middle Eastern flavors like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Together, they create a harmonious taste profile that makes the lamb chops truly Mediterranean.

These ingredients combine to create a flavorful and healthful dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.

Easy Mediterranean Lamb Chops Preparation

Preparing Mediterranean lamb chops is straightforward. Start with a two-pound lamb rack, trim the fat, and cut into seven chops. Pat dry and marinate with flavorful Mediterranean spices for an hour. Baharat spice, a Middle Eastern blend including black pepper, cloves, and cumin, enhances the lamb’s flavor. Rosemary and garlic add extra zest. Sear the marinated chops in a cast-iron pan, then oven-finish for perfect, juicy grilled lamb chops.

Avoid Overcooking Lamb Chops

For the best flavor and texture, cook lamb chops to medium well to prevent dry, bland meat. Lamb chops cook quickly, so monitor them closely. Searing in a cast iron pan before oven cooking helps achieve even browning and the correct internal temperature. Ensure the chops have a uniform thickness for even cooking. For medium-well doneness, check the temperature after six minutes of cooking at 400°F. Once they reach 137°F, remove them from the oven. They will continue to cook to the desired 145°F as they rest for five minutes.

What can I serve with lamb chops?

Lamb chops pair beautifully with a variety of dishes. I adore serving them in my home with my favorite dips, such as creamy hummus and smoky baba ghanoush. These Middle Eastern classics complement the rich taste of the lamb and lend an outstanding balance to the meal.

For a vibrant and refreshing contrast, consider coupling lamb chops with a bright tabbouleh or fattoush salad. With fresh herbs and tangy dressings, these salads provide freshness that elevates the lamb.

A side of simple lemon-infused Greek rice provides a comforting and satisfying element. A cooling yogurt salad is the perfect palate cleanser, providing a creamy and refreshing balance to the warm, savory flavors of the lamb chops.

How to Make Easy & Simple: Mediterranean Lamb Chop Recipe

Preparation

1.
Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F.
As the oven warms, prepare your marinade. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, zest and juice of one lemon, minced garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, dry oregano, salt, black pepper, paprika, and Baharat spice. Whisk these ingredients together until well incorporated.
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2.
With your marinade prepared, generously coat each lamb chop, ensuring an even application. Once fully covered, let the lamb chops marinate for a minimum of one hour. This allows the flavors to fully infuse into the meat.

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3.
After marinating, heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add your lamb chops to the hot pan and sear them for approximately two minutes on each side. This step locks in the juices and provides a rich, brown crust.
Having seared the chops, transfer them to your preheated oven. Bake for around eight to ten minutes. Monitor the internal temperature closely, checking at around the six-minute mark. When the internal temperature of the chops reaches 137 degrees F, promptly remove them from the oven.
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4.
Allow the lamb chops to rest for about five minutes after coming out of the oven. During this time, they will continue to cook, reaching an optimal internal temperature of about 145 degrees F.
For the finishing touch, garnish the chops with your choice of fresh herbs, adding an additional pop of flavor and color.
Your perfectly cooked lamb chops are now ready to be savored. Enjoy!
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Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
Adjust Servings
1 rack lamb (cleaned and cut into 7 to 8 lamb chops)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon Baharat spice

Preparation

1
Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F. As the oven warms, prepare your marinade. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, zest and juice of one lemon, minced garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, dry oregano, salt, black pepper, paprika, and Baharat spice. Whisk these ingredients together until well incorporated.
2
With your marinade prepared, generously coat each lamb chop, ensuring an even application. Once fully covered, let the lamb chops marinate for a minimum of one hour. This allows the flavors to fully infuse into the meat.
3
After marinating, heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add your lamb chops to the hot pan and sear them for approximately two minutes on each side. This step locks in the juices and provides a rich, brown crust. Having seared the chops, transfer them to your preheated oven. Bake for around eight to ten minutes. Monitor the internal temperature closely, checking at around the six-minute mark. When the internal temperature of the chops reaches 137 degrees F, promptly remove them from the oven.
4
Allow the lamb chops to rest for about five minutes after coming out of the oven. During this time, they will continue to cook, reaching an optimal internal temperature of about 145 degrees F. For the finishing touch, garnish the chops with your choice of fresh herbs, adding an additional pop of flavor and color. Your perfectly cooked lamb chops are now ready to be savored. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

How can I store lamb chops?

You can safely store lamb chops in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To ensure it remains safe and flavorful, wrap the lamb tightly in a layer of aluminum foil or plastic wrap or keep it in a shallow container. You can easily reheat lamb in the oven or on the stove and enjoy it as a quick meal later on. 

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

rana

By Rana

Thanks for visiting my Mediterranean food blog and welcome to my virtual kitchen! Here, you’ll find mouth-watering, wholesome, and nutritious Mediterranean recipes that will change the way you view cooking.

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    I would love to hear your experience!

    Did this recipe inspire you to venture into the delightful world of lamb? If you gave this recipe a shot, I’d love to hear all about it.Don’t forget to leave a review or comment below. Every comment is appreciated and helps others find this delicious recipe.

    2 Comments

    • Barb

      Do you have recipes that are low sodium?

      • Rana Madanat

        Thank you Barb for reaching out! Yes, I do have some recipes that are naturally low in sodium, and I’m always happy to offer tips on how to reduce sodium in other dishes. For Mediterranean recipes, fresh herbs, spices, and citrus are great ways to add flavor without needing a lot of salt. If you’re looking for specific low-sodium recipes, I’d be glad to point you in the right direction or even help you modify some of your favorites. Let me know what kinds of dishes you enjoy, and we can work together to make them just right for you!

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