Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (Cast Iron) (2024)

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This easy lamb loin chops recipe will be your family's favorite. Lamb loin chops marinated in olive oil, lemon, paprika and garlic make a delicious dinner for everyone!

Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (Cast Iron) (1)

When it comes to cooking, we always try to use seasonal produce. Fresh and in season ingredients give such an amazing flavor to the dish and we try to use them as much as possible. These lamb loin chops are the perfect family dinner, served with seared onions and tomatoes. I love serving these pan seared lamb loin chops with some Mediterranean salad or Mediterranean potato salad for more flavor.

In addition to beef, chicken, and seafood, lamb is also a favorite as its extraordinary flavor and tender texture are perfect for many different recipes. Some of our favorite lamb recipes are braised lamb shanks, lamb stew, roasted leg of lamb and stuffed eggplant with lamb and walnuts.

What's the difference between lamb loin chops and lamb chops?

Lamb loin chops are cut from the waist of the lamb and have a small piece of bone. Lamb chops are basically rib cuts and have the rib bone. They are both perfect for pan searing and grilling. In general, lamb has more fat than meat so you might want to trim the fat a bit before marinating and cooking the lamb.

Do lamb loin chops have bones?

Yes. Lamb loin chops have a T shaped bone about halfway down the cut and you can easily remove it when eating.

Like other Mediterranean recipes, this delicious lamb loin chop recipe is made with olive oil, a generous amount of garlic and a good squeeze of fresh lemons. It's tender, savory and definitely super tasty! This is an easy cast iron lamb loin chops recipe that you can make at home for a nice family dinner.

Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (Cast Iron) (2)

To make this tasty meal, I used Open Nature™ products from my local Star Marketwhich are high quality, minimally processed products and are free of any artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. Open Nature products have none of the "bad" stuff: no chemical additives, no high fructose corn syrup, and no unrecognizable ingredients.

Pan seared lamb loin chops ingredients

To make this delicious lamb loin chops recipe, you need the following ingredients:

  • Lamb loin chops
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon
  • Garlic
  • Onion powder
  • Paprika

I love using smoked paprika for this recipe but you can also use regular paprika for this recipe. This recipe calls for 6 cloves of garlic but you can use more or less depending on your preference. Fresh lemon and extra virgin olive oil play an important role in this recipe as they are the base of the marinade.

Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (Cast Iron) (3)

What I love the most about Open Nature products is that they are good, clean, and I feel good about using them for me and my family. The quality and value that I get from Open Nature is great and the flavors are completely on point.

What do you marinate lamb chops in?

These lamb loin chops are marinated in a combination of olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, onion powder and paprika. Marinate the lamb loin chops for at least 30 minutes, up to 5 hours. The lemon garlic marinade brings out the delicious flavor of lamb and makes it so tender.

How to cook lamb loin chops in a skillet

Lamb loin chops can be cooked pretty quickly, especially if you like your meat medium rare to medium. Four minutes on each side in a hot cast iron skillet would work perfectly. Once you've seared them on both sides, turn the heat off, cover the pan and let the lamb loin chops rest in the pan for ten minutes if you like them to be medium. If you like them on the well done side, cook them in the oven at 350°F for ten minutes after you've seared them on both sides.

What is a good sauce for lamb chops?

I love serving lamb loin chops with a delicious Mediterranean yogurt and mint sauce. This fresh sauce is simple, yet so flavorful as it contains garlic, fresh mint and Open Nature plain Greek yogurt. Simply chop the mint and mix it with Greek yogurt, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Serve this sauce on the side with pan seared lamb loin chops.

Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (Cast Iron) (5)

What is a good side dish for lamb loin chops?

Roasted potatoes are a great side dish for this lamb loin chops recipe. I prefer to roast them with salt, pepper and just a little bit of thyme, keeping them quite simple as the lamb loin chops bear most of the flavor of the meal. A large bowl of fresh green salad with tomatoes is another good compliment to the lamb loins, especially when served with delicious Open Nature balsamic vinaigrette. I also love serving these pan seared lamb loin chops withCaprese Pasta Salad and Greek Potatoes Oven Roasted.

Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (Cast Iron) (6)

Notes and tips for making this lamb loin chops recipe

  • Marinate the lamb chops for 30 minutes up to five hours. Lamb absorbs flavors pretty quickly therefore you can just start cooking them after marinating them for 30 minutes.
  • Before pan searing the lamb, make sure it is at room temperature. If the lamb is cold, the center is going to be completely raw after cooking both sides.
  • Pan sear lamb loin chops anywhere between 4 to 6 minutes per side and then turn the heat off, cover and let it sit for ten minutes. The internal temperature should be 150° if you like it to be medium.
  • If you would like it to be more done, after searing it on both sides, cook it in the oven at 350°F for ten minutes.
  • Cast iron skillet is the best option to sear lamb loin chops.
Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (Cast Iron) (7)

Step-by-Step Recipe

Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (Cast Iron) (8)

Lamb Loin Chops Recipe with Roasted Potatoes

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

This easy lamb loin chops recipe will be your family's favorite. Lamb loin chops marinated in olive oil, lemon, paprika and garlic make a delicious dinner for everyone!

4.75 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Marinade 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 6 servings

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

Lamb Loin Chops

  • 6 Open Nature lamb loin chops
  • cup olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 lemon juice of
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon paprika

Yogurt Mint Sauce

  • 1 cup Open Nature Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt Strained
  • cup fresh mint chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • tsp freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Lamb Loin Chops

  • In a large bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder and paprika.

  • Add the lamb loin chops to the marinade and mix well so all the pieces are covered in marinade.

  • Cover the bowl, refrigerate and marinade for at least thirty minutes.

  • Bring the bowl out of the fridge and let the lamb loin chops come to room temperature.

  • Meanwhile, heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat until it starts smoking.

  • Place lamb chops in the pan, 2 or 3 at a time and sear for five minutes on each side.

  • Once you've seared them on both sides, add some salt to the lamb loin chops, turn the heat off, cover the pan and let them sit for ten minutes.

  • Serve with roasted potatoes, yogurt mint sauce and a fresh green salad served withOpen Nature™ Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Yogurt mint sauce

  • Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, serve immediately with the lamb loin chops.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal

Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

This post was sponsored by Star Market. As always, all opinions are mine. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Unicorns in the Kitchen!

Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (Cast Iron) (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to grill or pan fry lamb chops? ›

Lamb chops are very tender, so it's best to season with salt and pepper and cook (either pan fry or grill on a barbecue or chargrill pan), over high heat for a few minutes each side.

What seasonings go well with lamb? ›

When thinking about pairing herbs with lamb, these flavours are at the top of the list:
  • Rosemary and lamb. With its woody flavour, rosemary is the perfect companion for your favourite lamb dish. ...
  • Mint and lamb. ...
  • Oregano and lamb. ...
  • Thyme and lamb.

Why do you soak lamb chops in milk? ›

Myoglobin is the red liquid that comes from meat that is often confused with blood. Marinating the lamb in milk will draw out and settle some of its less pleasant smells and flavors.

Should lamb chops be cooked fast or slow? ›

What's the best way to cook lamb chops? Lamb chops and steaks, as with beef steaks, should be cooked over a high heat, quickly, and can be quick-roasted, too, depending on how thick they are.

What is the preferred cooking method for lamb? ›

It can be traditionally roasted but is best slow-roasted, pot-roasted or braised with liquid until practically falling apart. Shoulder can also be diced for stewing, or cut into shoulder chops. A pre-sliced roast is convenient, but it tends to dry out in the oven.

Why are my lamb chops tough? ›

Temperature is by far the most critical aspect of cooking lamb chops. Undercooking even tender lamb chops can render them unpleasantly chewy, while overcooking will lead to tough, dried-out meat. Rib chops should be cooked to about 130°F, while loin chops are better at 135°F or even 140°F.

Should I sear lamb chops before roasting? ›

Lamb Chops are always best served to a target doneness of Medium Rare to Medium. We recommend first searing lamb chops on a hot cast iron for 1 minute per side then finish in a pre-heated oven set to 350 °F.

Which herb is best with lamb? ›

Lamb pairs well with an array of herbs and spices, and you can't go wrong with the classic duo of rosemary and thyme along with plenty of garlic. Here, all three are minced and combined with olive oil to make a generous rub, creating a gorgeous herb-crusted leg of lamb as the meat roasts.

What makes lamb taste good? ›

Lamb shouldn't be super lean. Fat produced from grass creates a lovely flavoursome addition to the meat. Lamb's robust flavour takes well to being seared and charred.

What makes lamb taste better? ›

It's such a distinctive flavor that it pairs well with nice, strong spices, as well as herbs. Coriander, fennel, garlic, shallot, ginger, lemon peel --I think those work really nicely with lamb. There are other herbs that are traditionally paired with lamb, like mint.

Are lamb loin chops a good cut? ›

Loin Chop: From the most tender (and leanest) section of the lamb, loin chops have a nice portion of tenderloin and loin meat in them. They usually have a bone left in, which makes this cut look a bit like a t-bone steak. Cook: grill, pan fry, roast. Best cooking point for loin chops is medium-rare.

Are lamb loin chops healthy? ›

It is a delicious and rich source of protein that has important vitamins and minerals. When consumed in moderation, it is a healthy addition to a well-balanced diet. Like other red meats, lamb can increase your chances of developing certain chronic illnesses. Experts recommend eating red meat in moderation.

Is lamb loin chop good? ›

Loin chops look like mini T-bone steaks, and tend to be meatier than rib chops. While not as tender as rib chops, loin chops also have a wonderful smooth flavor. This is a good choice when you're looking for a hearty dinner.

What is the best way of cooking lamb chops? ›

Coat each chop lightly in olive oil. Season lamb chops with garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Place lamb chops in a cast iron skillet. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.

What cooking method is best for lamb? ›

The dry heat of roasting is best for tender cuts of lamb, like the leg, rack, and loin. If you'd like to roast a cut like a lamb shoulder, go for a long, slow roast. If you're cooking a bone-in leg, keep in mind that because of the thicker and thinner portions of the cut you'll get a range of doneness.

How are lamb chops suppose to be cooked? ›

Cook all raw lamb steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145° F (62.8° C) as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.

Do you have to sear lamb chops before baking? ›

Lamb Chops are always best served to a target doneness of Medium Rare to Medium. We recommend first searing lamb chops on a hot cast iron for 1 minute per side then finish in a pre-heated oven set to 350 °F.

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