Lamb Chops with Garlic & Herbs

4.94 from 527 votes
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Sizzling lamb chops recipe in a skillet creates a beautiful crust loaded with flavor! Marinating in garlic, rosemary, thyme, and olive oil infuses herbaceous notes and tenderizes the meat for a fast and stunning meal.

Lamb chops cooking in a cast iron skillet.

Recipe Science

  • Searing lamb chops at a high temperature quickly browns the exterior, initiating the Maillard reaction that enhances flavor through caramelization and complex flavor compounds.
  • Resting after cooking allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that each bite is moist and flavorful.
  • Cooking lamb chops to the recommended internal temperature optimizes tenderness and flavor, as excessive heat can cause the proteins to contract too much, making the meat tough.

Why It Works

Cooking lamb doesn’t need to be intimidating, nor should you wait for a fancy occasion to enjoy it. Learning how to cook lamb chops is relatively easy! I think the well-marbled and robust flavors are enhanced when pan-frying on the stovetop.

A simple herb and garlic marinade give each bite a rustic flavor. Then, this particular cut needs a few minutes to sear in a hot pan. The fat bastes the outside of the meat as it renders, keeping it super juicy, tender, and rich in taste. This lamb chop recipe has a major wow factor with little effort and pairs nicely with a couscous salad or quinoa tabbouleh.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Lamb: I use lamb shoulder chops for this recipe, but loin or rib chops are quick to cook and work well for searing. The lamb chops range from ½ to 1 inch thick, depending on the butcher. They only take about 3 minutes per side to sear, while thicker pieces will take longer.
  • Seasoning: The meat is simply seasoned with salt and pepper to enhance the savory taste. Minced garlic adds pungency and earthiness to the paste.
  • Herbs: A combination of robust rosemary, thyme, and parsley to add herbaceous notes to the lamb.
  • Oil: Adding fat, like olive oil, dissolves the fat-soluble flavor molecules in the aromatics to diffuse them more efficiently on the lamb.

See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Lamb Chops: Use lamb rib chops for very tender pieces; they are cut from the rack of lamb). Bone-in lamb loin chops will have a “T” shaped bone for an attractive appearance. The shoulder chop portion cooks quickly and can be purchased as the blade or arm chops. Sirloin chops are very meaty and cut from the leg with a round bone in the meat.
  • Cooking Oil: Instead of olive oil, try neutral-tasting, high-smoke-point avocado oil. Clarified butter or ghee adds tremendous flavor.
  • Herbs: Other herbs that work well are chopped oregano, basil, sage, or mint. These are also great to add to a compound butter to serve on top.
  • Spices: Lamb chops are very robust in flavor and can withstand potent spices. Coriander, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, chili powder, mustard powder, or paprika will add a nice punch.

How to Cook Lamb Chops

Raw lamb chops marinating with garlic and rosemary.

Step 1: Marinate the Lamb Chops

Prepare a simple herb paste by combining minced garlic, rosemary, fresh thyme, parsley, and extra-virgin olive oil. Dry the surface with a paper towel if moist. Generously season the lamp chops with salt and pepper, then spread on the herb paste.

Marinating the meat for at least 30 minutes before cooking adds layers of flavor to the surface and helps tenderize it with salt. The recipe doesn’t use any acids in the marinade, so it’s safe to prepare and refrigerate for hours without the risk of becoming mushy in texture.

Tongs flipping over a lamb chop in a pan.

Step 2: Sear the Surface

The tender meat needs brief high-heat cooking like a ribeye steak, and it’s best to eat at medium-rare to medium temperatures. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the first side of the lamb chops until a golden brown crust forms, about 3 minutes.

Beautifully cooked lamb chops in a skillet.

Step 3: Check For Doneness

Give the chops a flip and cook the other side for about 3 to 4 minutes. Using a meat thermometer, target an internal temperature of 125°F (51°C) for medium-rare or 135°F (57°C) for medium.

Step 4: Rest the Meat

Rest the lamb chops for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows for carryover cooking and hits just the right doneness temperature. Overcooked or well-done lamb will be dry and stringy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does lamb taste like?

A lamb is a domestically raised sheep under one year old. Compared to older sheep, lamb provides very tender meat with a subtle gaminess. The richness comes from the fat on the animal, so when buying lamb, look for even distribution in the meat, with some surrounding the edges of the chop.

What kind of meat is lamb chops?

Lamb chops are typically bone-in meat chops cut from the animal’s shoulder, loin, sirloin, or rib. They are loaded with flavor and cook very quickly, generally under 10 minutes at medium-high heat, depending on thickness. They are also much more affordable than a rack of lamb and more straightforward to prepare if you are looking for a casual meal.

Why is it so important to rest the meat?

Resting after cooking maximizes the juiciness. Meat is composed of 75% moisture, and the rest is protein and fat. The proteins that hold the water in the flesh contract when cooked, which squeezes out moisture. However, some can be reabsorbed during resting as the proteins relax.

Serve This With

If you tried this Lamb Chops, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!

Lamb Chops with Garlic & Herbs

Lamb chops marinated in garlic, rosemary, thyme, and olive oil then pan-seared on the stovetop to create a wonderfully flavorful crust.
4.94 from 527 votes
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Servings 2 Servings
Course Entree
Cuisine French

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 pounds lamb chops, cut ¾” thick, 4 pieces
  • kosher salt, for seasoning
  • black pepper, for seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons chopped thyme
  • ½ teaspoon chopped parsley
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Instructions 

  • Marinate the Lamb Chops – Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Combine garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl. Rub the paste on both sides and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
  • Sear the Surface – Heat a large 12" cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once hot, add the lamb chops and sear until the surface is browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Check For Doneness – Flip and cook until the internal temperature reaches 125°F (51°C) for medium-rare, or 135°F (57°C) for medium on a meat thermometer, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Rest the Meat – Rest the chops for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Make-Ahead: Marinate the lamb chops in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but no longer.
  • Storing: Cool lamb and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serves: 2 Servings
Calories 465kcal (23%)Carbohydrates 12g (4%)Protein 14g (28%)Fat 38g (58%)Saturated Fat 15g (75%)Polyunsaturated Fat 3gMonounsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 79mg (26%)Sodium 274mg (11%)Potassium 343mg (10%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 4g (4%)Vitamin A 800IU (16%)Vitamin C 35.5mg (43%)Calcium 30mg (3%)Iron 1.6mg (9%)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.

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Jessica Gavin

I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

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162 Comments Leave a comment or review

  1. Ellen Herrmann says

    I made this tonight recipe and it turned out great. I was sceptical about cooking lamb chops in a frying pan, but with the seasonings it was absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe.

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Yes, you can cook the lamb chops in the air fryer. Cook at 370ºF for about 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness.

  2. Pamela says

    Hi Jessica: I just bought some loin lamb chops, about 3/4 – 1″ thick and I wanted to marinate them overnight. Would that be okay, and I wondered how long to cook for medium rare to medium?

    Thanks.

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Yes, you can marinate them overnight! I would follow the same instructions in the recipe for cook times. However, if the meat is very thick, I would turn down the heat to medium/medium-low after flipping to allow it to gently finish cooking to medium rare or medium: 125°F (51°C) for medium-rare, or 135°F (57°C) for medium.

  3. Kathryn says

    Since lamb is bizarrely more affordable than beef these days we’ve been eating more of it. It hasn’t been something I cook regularly so this recipe was welcome. Simple, easy and came out really well! Made a quick pan sauce with some ww and leftover oxtail sauce, served with Yukon golds and an artichoke. Delicious classic dinner. Thanks for the recipe.

  4. Sue says

    Absolutely the best no-fuss lamb chop recipe. I was interrupted by illness, so they sat with salt and pepper in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for 22 days, but I think it must have helped because they were melt-in-your-mouth tender. So quick, easy and fabulously delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe.

  5. Rakel says

    Made this last night for my partner and my son, we licked the bones 🙂 thank you for sharing, love from Manchester x

  6. Charlotte says

    I cooked lamb Chops using your Recipe and my lamb chops turn out great very easy recipe to use and I’m eating them with cheese potatoes and a salad.

    • Jessica Gavin says

      You can add some to the pan at the end of cooking to season the meat, or use it to make a pan sauce with other ingredients like butter or cream.

  7. Faraz says

    Hi Jessica. My rib lamb chops tend to turn out very tough. What am I doing wrong? Should I marinate them for longer? Or use an acid in the marinade?

    • Jessica Gavin says

      How long did you cook the lamb chops? That cut is very tender, did you perhaps overcook it? You could marinate it longer to help soften the muscle fibers.

  8. Gabi says

    Can I marinate it using your oils and herbs but cook it in butter instead of oil? Or would that be too much?

    • Jessica Gavin says

      I would use butter at the very end to finish the dish. If you use it to pan-fry the lamb, the milk solids could burn.

  9. Heather C. says

    I’ve eaten lamb chops dozens of times when growing up, but my mom was fairly busy, so it was very very simple: broiled with a little salt and a dollop of apple sauce on the side. One of my most treasured early food memories was sucking out the marrow from the round bone after I was done eating.

    Anyhoo, this year, I wanted to do something special for Easter and recently learned (literally 30 minutes ago) lamb was a popular meat for the holiday. I’m so happy I found this delicious-looking, exquisite recipe!! I’m extremely enthusiastic about trying it out!!! I’d like to try it with boneless chops though (if I can find them)–hopefully not too much of the flavor is lost.

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Thank you for sharing your memory with us! I can imagine the pork chops being served, and I love applesauce with mine too. I can’t wait to hear what you think about the lamb!

  10. Ellen Goodacre says

    I’ve used this recipe a few times and I absolutely love it! It’s easy to follow, I always end up with juicy, tasty lamb chops. The blend of herbs also smells so good! I would recommend this recipe to anyone who enjoys lamb.

  11. D says

    My husband nor I have never eaten lamb chops, always thought they would taste gamey. Wanted to try something different. Checked out other lamb chop recipes but, your recipe seemed quick and easy. I cooked steak too just in case we didn’t like it. Boy, were we in for a treat! Loved them. My husband went back for seconds.

    Thanks a bunch!
    D

  12. Andy says

    Ms. Gavin

    Made this Tonight . My first exposure to your recipes. Easy to prep and outstanding results.
    Solid recipe.

    Thanks

    Andy

  13. Shashi says

    This is the best recipe. Made it a few time, and will make it another time this Christmas!
    Thank you for the beautiful recipe

  14. Jim R says

    Delicious! I made freshly minced garlic and pulled rosemary and parsley from the garden, but used dried thyme…they turned-out great! I’m a dude and much more comfortable standing over a grill, and they came off a medium-high flame tender & juicy – just perfect. We’re more of steak & salmon people, but Australian lamb chops (Costco) were a much better deal these days, and we’ll be doing lamb again with this excellent, easy-to-prepare, recipe. Cheers!

  15. Crystal S says

    This was my 1st time cooking lamb. It was very ambitious of me as I used to burn rice in my 20’s lol. I gave up cooking after too many times of that. Here I am at 37, cooking for my boyfriend. He not only cleaned his plate, he fell asleep right after. I did a great job & it was delicious!! Thank you so much!! Oh, I paired it with a sweet potato & spinach with garlic.

  16. Beth Ann Martinez says

    I was given a pack of Lamb Chops….I have not cooked Lamb for many years…Actually, my last memory of Mom cooking Lamb of any sort was not a favorable one…The smell itself was a turn off…I do not have Rosemary, Thyme on hand…..Can I cook Lamb Cbops as I do seasoned n s.otbered with Onions n Peppers?

  17. Evelyn Abernathy says

    This is definitely a recipe that’s going in my file. It’s easy to make and delicious to consume. I expect to serve it to my family often.

  18. Pam says

    Im so nervous because this my first time cooking lamb. I used all dried herb but still it came out great. I’m making this again but with fresh herbs. I can’t wait to serve this with my family. Thank you for sharing your recipe.

  19. Cheri B. says

    I’ve made these several times now – in a cast iron skillet, on my George Foreman grill, and on my outdoor gas grill (my preference, as they tend to really smoke up the house when done indoors . . .). They’ve been absolutely delicious every time, and are quite simple and quick to prepare. Definitely a “keeper”!

  20. Regina says

    First time cooking Lamb Chops …….I was absolutely taken aback how PERFECT they were – I was so impressed with the flavor and texture “Devine” yummy 🙂 Thank you!!!

  21. nikki says

    Hi Jessica, Will the garlic/herbs burn when I cook them at a high heat? And, if so, will they taste bad if they are burned?

    • Jessica Gavin says

      The high heat may char the garlic. To prevent this from happening, after marinating, scrape off the garlic and herbs before adding the hot pan.

  22. Kim C says

    Love the flavor of this recipe! How do I get more of the garlic marinade to stay on the lamb chops? I end up with lots of that tasty goodness in the pan.

  23. Sheril says

    This was SOOO good. I cannot wait to have Lamb Chops again!! Thank you for the recipe. Absolutely delicious.

  24. Lenny says

    Made this last night. It was very easy. Just like you said. The lamb was tender, juicy and flavorful. Will definitely add it to my favorite recipes.❤️

  25. Krystal says

    The Only Recipe I Use And They Come Out Great Every Time And Letting Them Marinate Helps Even More, Love It

  26. Jasmine says

    First time making lamb chop for dinner, I must say this recipe is absolutely phenomenal! MY 5 year old loved it as well. Thank you for sharing your recipe! ?

  27. MICHELLE says

    To say this is the BEST recipe I’ve found for lamb chops is no exaggeration. I used a combination of loin and shoulder chops, and marinated and cooked them according to the directions. They were tender, juicy and oh so flavorful! Can’t wait to make them again.

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Thank you for your feedback, Michelle! Thrilled to hear that the marinade worked well for both loin and shoulder cuts. Happy cooking!

  28. Nancy says

    Jessica, I made these for our Valentine’s dinner tonight. They were very tasty and I am saving this recipe. We ate all 9 of them that I made. Excellent recipe!

  29. Joseph A Mitchell says

    My Wife absolutely loved this recipe. It turned out perfect. Thanks from someone who doesn’t cook that often

  30. Carole Jarvis says

    I followed your instructions to a “t” ; and they were delicious. I will definitely use this recipe again. I marinated them for 30 minutes; and was very happy with the flavor.

  31. Amber says

    I’ve got mine marinating right now, I can’t wait to try it. I am wondering how you came up with 12 carbs in the nutritional facts since the herbs don’t add up to much?

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Yes, you can use boneless lamb chops but watch the cooking time, you may not need as much depending on the thickness of the meat.

  32. Melissa D Green says

    Thank you, awesome lamb with LOW sodium!!! Any recipes for Pork Belly? I lived in New Orleans for 18 years BUT; my mother has never had it or heard of it, so I want to make it special for her. She is an amazing home chef blessed with a gift fom my father to cook with Dean Ferring for a day and expects the best. As she has always gave us, her grandchildren are addicted to escargot and caviar pie since they were 4ish. Thank you for sharing your craft with me!!!

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Thank you, Melissa! Wow, I would have loved to have joined your family for dinner. I don’t have a pork belly recipe, but it’s a great suggestion!

  33. Fatmatta Wurie says

    I have made this recipe about four times. So delicious and so easy! I am going to swap the herbs next time as you suggested. Thank u very much.

  34. Mary Orem says

    Jessica,

    This is the BEST Lamb Chop recipe we have ever had. I I love to try new recipes and will always make the dish the first time per directions. I have followed your directions to the teaspoon each time I have made this because it’s perfect!
    Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!

    Mary

  35. Stephanie says

    First time making lamb chops. These were so good, I could slap myself. Very easy instructions to follow, I used oregano instead of thyme because that’s what I had on hand. Followed the directions as they were shown.. Very very good.

  36. Denise Dormer says

    I made this tonight, and it was excellent. Went exactly by the recipe and wouldn’t change a thing. I marinated it for several hours in the fridge and left it out for 30 minutes. Tender, delicious, quick and easy.

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Thank you for your feedback! Thrilled to hear that the extra marination time made it even yummier.

  37. Kangy says

    I am so glad I found your recipe. My son loves it. He said is better than steak. My husband smoked it instead of pan fry it. My husband has his well done. My son and I have them medium. It was so tender. It was so good and easy to make.

      • Kipper says

        I’ve read over the recipe and the comments several times to find an answer to this question. Do you wipe off the marinade before searing the lamb chops? I fear that cooking the marinade will cause it to burn and/or become bitter.

        • Jessica Gavin says

          Hi Kipper! I don’t, but you can scrape the garlic and herbs off of the surface after marinating the lamb. This will definitely reduce the chance of burning the ingredients.

  38. Sean Robertson says

    I just did this today, first time ever making anything with red meat (I’ve taken advantage of the whole COVID situation to take up cooking) and it came out perfectly. My husband approved. Thank you for this great recipe!

  39. TerryF says

    I used lamb shoulder chops and they were SO GOOD! I broiled them instead of pan frying and they were perfect.

  40. Denise says

    I relatively recently discovered In love lamb but had never cooked any. I got a pack of chops on sale at my local Lidl and stuck them in the freezer. I normally don’t cook much since it’s just me and I’m on the go so much but with the COVD-19 staycation I decided to pull them out and found this recipe. I fixed the marinade in the morning and let them sit in the fridge until dinner time and then cooked them on my cast iron skillet. I didn’t have a thermometer so I cooked them a little longer to make sure they were done as a couple of pieces were a little thick. They were delicious! Paired with mashed potatoes and swiss chard and red wine. Thanks for the recipe! ?

  41. Haint says

    I will say that I’ve been using this recipe for lamb since I found it….with great results. I tried it out with pork chops and it works well with them too.
    Big ups to this recipe.

  42. Michael Kane says

    For years I’ve been using variations of marinades similar to yours. I was glad to read your post, particularly about not using an acid which would limit the marinade time. I usually include lemon juice, but didn’t last week, just stuck with garlic and herbs, it worked perfectly. I would mention that broiling the chops works extremely well, especially if you want to make more than will fit in a skillet. I got 6 chops to fit nicely on my broiler pan, they got a wonderful crust. I’m making them again tonight, will try to remember to snap a pic!

  43. Laurie says

    Recipe sounds good, however the nutritional facts aren’t correct. Lamb as well as other meats have 0 carbs. I’m also pretty sure herbs have none at all and actually wonder how the sugar comes in?

  44. Debbie Head says

    I assume the parsley is added in with other herbs, not specifically stated in instructions? Making tonight, looks delish!!!

  45. Grace Brown says

    Just found this recipe after a google search for fast and easy lamb chops.
    Wow.
    This was dinner tonight and is absolutely wonderful just as written. I might play with the recipe later but as written, my husband and I absolutely devoured the lamb and were sad to find no more.

  46. Plin says

    I will add soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to this marinade next time ~ i used Herbs de Provence and garlic plus garlic olive oil ~ pepper and some ground Himalayan sea salt ~ fried up the gas cooktop and some oil in my cast iron pan ~ with the bone in the way ~ the sear was not as well as it could have been ~ but i used some beef broth and a lid. Then no cover for the last 6 – 8 minutes. Sides were asparagus and Brussels speouts.

  47. Corey Cottrell says

    This recipe was the bomb! It was so good I got in my car and drove to my mothers house and slapped the shi out of her! Got back i to the car and drove 20 mile back home. Just kidding. 5 stars!

  48. Cathy ganter says

    Hi Jessica!
    This is my third time making this recipe and I just can’t get enough of it! I HATED lamb as a child and refused to try it till just recently. This recipe is exquisite – all of the taste without any gamey flavor. My husband and I are hooked!!!

  49. Chris Simons says

    I used a thermometer and cooked until 127 deg F. It took a lot longer than I thought 10-15 min but nowhere near 30 min. However, it was a small piece of meat ~4 oz.
    Besides the rosemary, salt, and pepper I used red curry paste. It was excellent.

    • Chris says

      Seems like this whole week is one of regrets.
      I tried a different recipe that used lemon juice & zest plus wine. It was good but it detracted from the lamb meat taste. I will return to this recipe next time.

  50. Dawn Marshall says

    Made these lamb chops tonight & they were AMAZING. Marinated for about 3 hours & served with mashed garlic red potatoes. Everyone loved them. Smiles all around! I will definitely be making these again. Thanks for such a great recipe.

  51. Jackie says

    Hi Jessica, this recipe looks delish! Sadly, we live in a very small, rural area, and lamb isn’t always available and when it is it’s pretty pricey. Is there another meat option that would work with this marinade without over-powering it?

      • DinnaC says

        A few weeks ago I made this recipe and loved it! I added my own little twist, I added red wine to the marinate. I loved it so much I’m having it again today.

    • Richard says

      Ex Hi Jessica these were awesome
      I have never cooked lamb before and i don’t like lamb but my mom loves lamb she bought three lamb loin chops so i cooked them for her following your recipe with two meflairs had no fresh garlic so i used a teaspoon of garlic salt and a teaspoon of celery salt i also cooked them for three minutes longer 1 on first side 2 on second side mom doesn’t like them pink. She at all three minus the few poultry bites i got lol i would eat lamb made like this….and did
      I also made a mustard sauce for them that was mayonaise mustard worcestershire sauce and tajin seasoning which went extremely well with this. Most all the sauces i saw for lamb were mint based yuck lol so i made a version of our wonton sauce and was a fine addition. Thank you for this recipe and the info on the different cuts i found that very good info have a great day you made a lamb fan out of a no lamb guy:)

      • Jessica Gavin says

        Sounds like you made this lamb dish a home run for your family! Thank you for sharing your recipe modifications, I’ll have to try your sauce suggestions, yum!

      • Rita Ward says

        Hi Jessica,
        I’ve marinated the lamb chops. …I don’t have a skillet. What would u advise please. Recipe looks delicious and I’m looking forward to dishing it up. Many thanks
        Rita

        • Jessica Gavin says

          I would roast on a sheet pan at 400°F (204°C) until their internal temperature reaches 110°F (43°C), then rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. You can roast longer if you prefer a more medium or well done temperature.