Best Southwestern Lamb Chops Recipes

PAN SEARED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Let the lamb chops sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Pat dry and season the lamb chops with salt and pepper on all sides.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet or other heavy pan on medium-high heat until very hot. Add the olive oil and heat for a minute, then carefully place the lamb chops in the pan, leaving a little space between them.
• Cook for 3-4 minutes until seared on the bottom side, then flip with tongs and cook another 3-4 minutes on the other side to sear.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter, garlic, rosemary and thyme. Spoon the melted butter, garlic, and herbs over the lamb chops while continuing to cook for about 5 more minutes or until the temperature on a digital meat thermometer inserted into the meaty part of the lamb chops reaches 125 degrees F for medium-rare. See notes for additional information about cooking temperatures and degrees of doneness.
• Remove from the lamb chops from the heat, cover with a piece of foil, then let the meat rest for 10 minutes before serving.

LAMB CHOPS WITH ROSEMARY AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Check for doneness: At this point, if you want your lamb chops rare, they are likely cooked enough. If you would like your chops more cooked, you can put them in a 400°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or keep them in the hot pan, lower the heat to warm, and cover the pan for a few minutes. Note that rib chops are so small, and cook so quickly, checking for internal temperature with a thermometer can be impractical. For this reason I use the finger test to check the doneness of the chops. That said, if you have an instant read thermometer and want to check thick chops, aim for 125°F for rare, 135°F medium-rare, and 140°F for medium.
• Rest the chops: When done, remove the chops from the pan, cover with foil and let rest 3 to 5 minutes before serving.

LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Season lamb chops with rosemary, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chops; cook until brown on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook until a meat thermometer reads 130 degrees (for medium-rare) and chops are evenly browned, 3 to 4 minutes more. Serve garnished with rosemary sprigs.

OVEN-ROASTED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Cut away excess fat from the lamb chops (some fat does add flavor). Coat each chop lightly in olive oil. Dust 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. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for medium-well doneness.
• Remove from the oven and cover tightly with foil; let rest for 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with mint jelly on the side,