How to cook lamb chops for easy, delicious meals

If you’re used to pork chops or beef steaks for dinner, it’s time to add lamb chops for more variety. Lamb chops are also a delicious and versatile cut of meat that can be cooked the same way as your pork chops, so it’s not a new skill you’ll need to acquire.

Whether you prefer them grilled, air fried, roasted, or pan-fried, there is a simple method to follow. We will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to cook lamb chops perfectly, including tips on marinating, seasoning, and cooking times.

How to cook lamb chops perfect for any meal

Step 1: Preparing the Lamb Chops

The good thing is you can buy your lamb chops at your local grocery store. You’ll mostly find lamb chops as loin or rib chops in most retail shops. We find loin chops to be more versatile, so will take you through various methods of how to cook lamb loin chops.

The first step in cooking lamb chops is to prepare the meat. If you refrigerated your lamb chops, take them out and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This will help the meat cook more evenly. If your lamb chops have a thick layer of fat, trim it down to about 1/4 inch to prevent flare-ups while cooking.

Step 2: Marinating the Lamb Chops

Grab your favourite herbs from the cupboard. Marinate the lamb chops in a mixture of your choice of herbs, spices, and liquids, such as olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Leave the lamb chops to marinate for at least 30 mins, or up to 2 hrs for maximum flavour. A marinade will not only add flavour to the meat, but it will also help to tenderise it.

Step 3: Season the Lamb Chops

Once the lamb chops have finished marinating, remove them from the marinade and season them with salt and pepper. Be generous with the seasoning, as this will enhance the flavour of your meat. If you want to add a crunchy crust to your lamb chops, you can sprinkle them with breadcrumbs or other seasonings before cooking. 

Step 4: Cook the Lamb Chops

There are several methods for cooking lamb chops, including grilling, roasting, pan-frying and even airfrying.

Lamb chop cooking time

Putting meat in the oven seems to be the easiest way to get your meat ready for any meal. To help you make the decision on which method to use, find out how long to cook lamb chops with each of these methods: 

• Grilling - about 8 minutes (4 minutes on each side)
• Roasting - about 20 minutes 
• Pan frying - about 8 minutes (4 minutes on each side)
• Air frying -  about 15 minutes

Ideal temperatures to cook lamb chops

When grilling or pan-frying lamb, it's hard to tell when it's cooked to your liking since ovens operate differently. Only a digital cooking thermometer can be used to determine how thoroughly something is cooked. Here are the temperature guidelines for cooking lamb chops if you use a cooking thermometer:

50°C (122°F) – very rare
55°C (131°F) – medium rare
60°C (140°F) – medium (pink)
65°C (149°F) – medium well
72°C (162°F) – well done

How to grill lamb chops

If you’re grilling lamb chops, heat your grill to high heat and place the lamb chops directly on the grates. Cook each side for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until the temperature of the meat reaches 145°F inside. 

How to cook lamb chops in the oven 

We think roasting is the best way to cook lamb chops. We bet now you are wondering how long to cook lamb chops in oven at 180℃? That seems to be the standard temperature when roasting meat right, but we recommend 200 °C.

To roast lamb chops, preheat your oven to 200℃ (400°F). Place the lamb chops in a roasting pan and roast for 18–20 minutes, or check the internal temperature of the meat; it should reach 145°F for medium-rare. Serve your delicious lamb chops with some potatoes and a good bottle of wine.

How to cook lamb loin chops pan fry 

To pan-fry lamb chops, heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil. When the pan is hot, add the lamb chops and cook for 4 minutes per side. Rest the lamb chops and then serve them with a good bowl of rice.

How to cook lamb chops in air fryer

With your trusted air fryer, you can quickly prepare the most delicious lamb chops. The chops will come out soft and well-cooked if you marinate them in red wine vinegar and herbs. Let them chill for an hour, or up to 5 hours, before cooking. Preheat your air fryer and cook your lamb loin chops for 7 to 8 minutes on each side. That means in 15 minutes, your lamb chops will be ready. Make it a complete meal with a simple salad.

Step 5: Rest the Lamb chops

Once the lamb chops are cooked, remove them from the heat and let them rest for 5 - 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavourful cut of lamb.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Finally, serve your perfectly cooked lamb chops with a side dish of your choice, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

Now we know some people love lamb forequarter chops. Here is a short guide on how to cook lamb forequarter chops:

Preheat a sizable, heavy frying pan over medium-high heat. Season your forequarter chops with salt and pepper. Add 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan and cook each side for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. You can also use a thermometer; place it in the centre of each chop until it reads 60 °C. Once done, put the chops aside to rest and then serve. 

Here are some of our favourite ways to serve lamb:

• Quick lamb salad
  
• Roast lamb shanks
  
• Roast lamb leg
  
• Authentic kofta lamb
  
• Lamb meatballs with feta