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As an alternative to the traditional pork chops, why not prepare tender and juicy lamb chops for your next family meal? Our guide, how to cook lamb chops, reveals how simple it is to prepare the meat on the grill, in the oven or on the stove. Check out the selection of recipe variations for each cooking method to find a delicious flavor combination to suit your taste buds.
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Lamb Chop Tips
- Buy lamb chops with a deep pink color with white fat marbled throughout.
- Look for velvety flesh which will indicate tenderness.
- Cook lamb chops on the grill, in the oven or broiler or on the stove.
- Pan sear the chops before oven roasting for additional color.
- Prepare lamb chops simply with olive oil and rosemary.
- Add extra flavor with spice rubs, marinades or sauces.
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Buying Fresh Lamb
- Ensure you get the best flavor and texture from your lamb chops by starting with a quality product. Use these selection and storage tips.
Introduction
- Lamb is high in saturated fat, but also a great source of protein, zinc and B vitamins.World's Healthiest Foods: Lamb: Health Benefits Combine these benefits with the versatile cut of meat that can be grilled, roasted, broiled or sauteed, and you've got the perfect main dish for your next meal.
Cooking Lamb Chops
- Prepare versatile lamb chops with a variety of methods. Following are the basic instructions and recipe variations for each. While the steps provide cooking times, you can also test the lamb chops with a meat thermometer. In general, cook chops to 140 degrees F for rare, 160 for medium well and 170 for well done.All Recipes: Southwestern Lamb Chops
Selection
- Lamb should be lamb labeled "Prime" or "Choice" to ensure the best flavor and tenderness.World's Healthiest Foods: Lamb: How to Select and Store
- Look for lamb with firm and velvety flesh, which can indicate tenderness.World's Healthiest Foods: Lamb: How to Select and Store
- Find a cut with a deep pink color, featuring with white fat distributed throughout the meat.Clemson University: Safe Handling of Lamb: Selecting The Best
- Avoid lamb that's dark red in color since it will be less fresh and tender.About.com: How to Select the Best Cut of Lamb
- Choose packages of lamb that feel cold and have no cuts or puncture marks.World's Healthiest Foods: Lamb: How to Select and Store
Storage
- Refrigerate lamb up to five days in the original packaging.Clemson University: Safe Handling of Lamb: Selecting the Best
- Freeze lamb for up to nine months in tightly wrapped foil or freezer bags.World's Healthiest Foods: Lamb: How to Select and Store
- Prevent cross contamination by keeping the raw meat wrapped in a plastic bag any drippings.Clemson University: Safe Handling of Lamb: Selecting The Best
On the Grill
- Cooking Instructions
- Preheat a grill for high heat.All Recipes: Herbed Lamb Chops
- Lightly coat the grill grate with oil.All Recipes: Herbed Lamb Chops
- Grill the lamb chops over high heat.Food and Wine: Lamb Chops with Harissa Yogurt Sauce (June 2008)
- Cook for three to four minutes on each side for medium lamb chops.Emeril's: Grilled Lamb
- Grilled Lamb Chop Recipes
- Infuse the lamb chops with flavor by marinating overnight.All Recipes: Herbed Marinated Lamb Chops
- Pair the chops with red peppers and an anchovy sauce.Martha Stewart: Grilled Lamb Chops and Red Peppers with Anchovy Parsley Sauce
- Prepare them simply with lemon, thyme and olive oil.All Recipes: Lemon and Thyme Lamb Chops
- Give the lamb chops an international flavor by topping with Tahini sauce.Food and Wine: Grilled Lamb Chops with Tahini Sauce (November 2003)
- Consider blending an Asian butter sauce for your chops.Epicurious: Grilled Lamb Chops with Asian Butter Sauce (July 1999)
- YouTube Video: Grilled Lamb Chops (Time: 4:04)
In the Oven
- Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees FFood and Wine: Oven Roasted Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri (April 2008)
- Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium high heat.Food Network: Roasted Lamb Chops with Shallots Tomatoes and Olive Jus
- Sear the lamb chops until they're golden brown, two minutes on each side.Food Network: Roasted Lamb Chops with Shallots Tomatoes and Olive Jus
- Take the pan off the stove and transfer to the oven.BBC Food: Roast Lamb Chop with Green Beans and Spiced Roasted Tomato
- Let the lamb chops cook for 8 to 10 minutes.BBC Food: Roast Lamb Chop with Green Beans and Spiced Roasted Tomato
- Let the lamb chops rest for 10 minutes before serving.Food and Wine: Oven Roasted Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri (April 2008)
- Roasted Lamb Chop Recipes
- Encrust the lamb chop with pistachios, cinnamon and cumin before baking.BBC Food: Pistachio-Crusted Lamb
- You can also oven roast without pan searing first.BBC Food: Lamb Chop and Spicy Chip Bake
- Add Asian flavors with soy, garlic and cilantro.All Recipes: Vietnamese Aromatic Lamb Chops
- Bake the lamb chops with a sweet duck sauce.All Recipes: Lamb Chops in Duck Sauce
On the Stove
- Cooking Instructions
- Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet placed on medium-high heat.All Recipes: Lamb Chops with Balsamic Reduction
- Saute the lamb chops for three minutes on each side.BBC Food: Sauteed Lamb Chops with Whole Roast Potatoes and Ginger Apricots
- Let the chops rest for about four minutes before serving.BBC Food: Lamb Chop with Wilted Chard and Black Currant Sauce
- Sauteed Lamb Chop Recipes
- Top the chops with a fruity chutney.Martha Stewart: Lamb Chops with Prune Chutney
- Add a yogurt sauce to give the lamb chops a Greek influence.Martha Stewart: Lamb Chops with Yogurt Sauce
- Let the flavor of the lamb shine through by preparing the chops simply with rosemary and olive oil.Martha Stewart: Lamb Chops
- Season with curry powder for an added kick.Real Simple: Spiced Lamb Chops and Smashed Peas (May 2008)
- Add creaminess with a savory yogurt sauce.Martha Stewart: Lamb Chops with Yogurt Sauce
- YouTube Video: Lamb Chops Recipe in Minutes-Indian Recipes Lamb-Indian Food Recipes (Time: 4:32)
In the Broiler
- Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the broiler.Epicurious: Broiled Lamb Chops with Rosemary Mint Sauce (April 1995)
- Arrange lamb chops on the broiler pan.Food Network: Broiled Lamb Chops with Balsamic Reduction
- Broil four to five minutes on each side for medium rare doneness, until the lamb chops are browned.Martha Stewart: Lamb Chops with Mint Pepper Sauce
- Broiled Lamb Chop Recipes
- Apply a dry rub featuring lavender before broiling.Food and Wine: Lavender Rubbed Lamb Chops with Bitter Greens Salad (December 2008)
- Pair the lamb chops with braised root vegetables.Food Network: Broiled Lamb Chops with Braised Root Vegetables
- Marinate before broiling for added flavor.Culinary Institute of America: Broiled Lamb Chops
- Add tang by topping the lamb chops with a sherry sauce.Recipezaar: Broiled Lamb Chops with Onions and Sherry Sauce
- Lemon caper sauce gives the lamb chops a succulent richness.Epicurious: Broiled Lamb Chops with Lemon Caper Sauce
Additional Lamb Chop Recipes
- All Recipes: Curry Lamb Chops
- BBC Food: Grilled Lamb Chop on Grilled Celeriac
- Epicurious: Herbed Lamb Chops
- Food and Wine: Lamb Chops with Fresh Herb Yogurt
- Real Simple: Lamb Chops with Cauliflower and Raisins
- Recipezaar: Tuscan Lamb Chops
- Recipezaar: Lamb Chop Casserole
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