Ingredients
For the Lamb Chops Marinade
- 8 lamb rib chops (1 rack of lamb sliced into 8 chops)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
For the Mint Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Lamb Chops: Pat the lamb chops dry with paper towels. Remove the membrane and slice off the fat cap. Then slice between each bone to create 8 individual chops.
- Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, dried oregano, lemon zest and juice, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients.
- Marinate the Lamb: Place the lamb chops into a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade over them. Massage the bag gently to coat all chops evenly. Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade for serving later. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Mint Yogurt Sauce: While the lamb marinates, in a medium bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, chopped mint leaves, minced garlic, lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Bring Lamb to Room Temperature: Remove the marinated lamb chops from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to let them come to room temperature for even grilling.
- Grill the Lamb Chops: Preheat your grill or a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Grill the lamb chops for 4-5 minutes on each side or until they reach your desired doneness.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the cooked lamb chops to a platter and let them rest for a few minutes. Pour the reserved marinade over the lamb chops for extra flavor. Serve hot alongside the chilled mint yogurt sauce.
Notes
- Allowing the lamb to marinate overnight will deepen the flavor.
- If you don’t have a grill, a cast iron skillet works perfectly for searing the chops.
- Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of the lamb chops and your preferred doneness.
- The reserved marinade poured over cooked chops adds a nice finishing touch but do not pour reserved marinade over raw meat before cooking to avoid cross-contamination.
- You can add fresh lemon wedges on the side for serving for a zesty boost.
- For a spicier sauce, increase the cayenne pepper by a pinch or two.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
- Diet: Halal