Name: Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops with Garlic and Rosemary
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 cloves garlic ((crushed)); 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 pounds bone-in lamb loin chops (about 8 chops (1-inch thick))

Tender, juicy, and flavorful Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops with Garlic and Rosemary look impressive and elegant, but are so easy to make. The only trick is to let them marinade! They’re perfect for any summer gathering.

Until I lived in the Middle East, I wasn’t a big fan of lamb.

I thought it had a gamey flavor, stringy texture, and musty odor. For some reason the smell always reminded me of my grandparents’ basement, lol! And I always associated it with the overcooked roasts my family would eat along with mint jelly on Easter.

That’s why, with so many other much more delicious meats out there, I passed lamb up time and time again.

That is, until I had grilled lamb chops! They’re tender, juicy, and flavorful. The secret is not only grilling the lamb chops, but also marinating them. I like to use a combination of rosemary, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. This adds delicious flavor and helps tenderize the meat.

And the best part is how easy these are to make! The grill does all the work and they cook in less than 15 minutes.

Because Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops are elegant, delicious, and super easy to make, they’re perfect for entertaining with! Make them for your next summer gathering and watch your guests fall in love with lamb.

In This Article

The Best Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops with Garlic and Rosemary

Ingredients

Extra-virgin olive oil
Fresh lemon juice
Garlic
Rosemary
Salt
Black pepper
1-inch thick lamb loin chops

How to Make Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops

Marinate the lamb chops.
Grill the lamb chops.
Enjoy!

How to Store Cooked Lamb Chops

Once they’re cooked, store lamb chops in an airtight container in the fridge. According to FoodSafety.gov, they will last for 3 to 4 days.

Lamb Chops Tips

Don’t Skip the 2 Hour Marinade

And actually, the meat will be even better if you can let it marinade for the full 24 hours.

The Easiest Way to Check if Meat is Done

It’s best to use a digital instant-read thermometer (you can find them on Amazon) to determine when the meat is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Let it Rest

For the best (juiciest!) results, let the meat rest for 3 minutes after you take it off the grill.

marinated grilled lamb chops recipe graphic

Grilled Lamb Chops FAQs

Should You Salt Lamb Chops Before Grilling?

It’s best not to salt the meat right before grilling, because it only seasons the outside and doesn’t have the chance to permeate throughout.

We recommend adding salt to the marinade and letting the meat soak in it for 2 hours or up to 1 day.

How Hot Should the Grill be For Lamb Chops?

The grill should be at medium to medium-high heat.

How Long Does it Take to Grill Lamb Chops?

For 1-inch thick lamb loin chops, it takes about 4 to 6 minutes per side for rare and 5 to 7 minutes per side for medium-rare over medium to medium-high heat.

How Do I Know When Lamb Chops Are Done?

A digital instant-read thermometer is best here. (You can find an instant digital-read thermometer that will do the job for less than $20 on Amazon.)

Here are the temperatures corresponding to different levels of doneness for lamb chops:

Rare: 120F
Medium-Rare: 125F
Medium: 135F
Medium-Well: 145F
Well: 150F+

Note that the USDA recommends cooking lamb chops to an internal temperature of 145F and then allowing the meat to rest for 3 minutes.

What Do You Serve with Grilled Lamb Chops?

If you’re grilling these up for a summer party or gathering, there a ton of different side dishes that pair well with them. Here are a few ideas:

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