Lamb chops are quick, full of flavour, and ideal when you want something that feels a bit special without needing hours in the kitchen.
The main thing with lamb chops is not to overcook them. They are best cooked quickly over a fairly high heat, then rested for a few minutes before serving. Get that right and you’ll have tender, juicy chops with plenty of flavour.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to cook lamb chops in a frying pan, under the grill, and in the oven, along with cooking times, temperatures, seasoning ideas and serving suggestions.
What Are Lamb Chops?
Lamb chops are small, tender cuts taken from the loin, rib or shoulder of the lamb. They are usually cooked quickly and served as individual portions.
Loin chops and cutlets are generally more tender and suit fast cooking. Shoulder chops usually have a little more connective tissue and may need slightly gentler cooking or a little more time.
For most lamb chops, a hot pan, grill or oven is all you need.
Should Lamb Chops Be Cooked Fast or Slow?
Most lamb chops are best cooked quickly.
Because chops are smaller and more tender than large joints, they do not need long, slow cooking. A hot frying pan or grill gives good colour on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.
If you are cooking thicker shoulder chops, you can give them a little longer or finish them gently in the oven, but loin chops and cutlets are usually best cooked fast.
How to Cook Lamb Chops in a Pan
Pan frying is one of the easiest ways to cook lamb chops. You get a good crust, plenty of flavour, and you can control the cooking easily.
Ingredients
- Lamb chops
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Optional: garlic, rosemary, thyme, butter or lemon juice
Method
- Bring to room temperature - Remove the lamb chops from the fridge around 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.
- Season - Pat the chops dry, then season with salt and black pepper.
- Heat the pan - Heat a frying pan or griddle pan over a medium-high heat until hot.
- Add oil - Add a little oil to the pan.
- Cook the chops - Add the lamb chops and cook for around 3 to 4 minutes on each side, depending on thickness and how pink you like them.
- Add flavour - For extra flavour, add a knob of butter, crushed garlic and rosemary for the final minute, then spoon the butter over the chops.
- Rest - Remove the chops from the pan and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How Long Do Lamb Chops Take to Cook?
Lamb chops usually take around 3 to 4 minutes each side in a hot pan.
Thin chops may only need 2 to 3 minutes each side, while thicker chops may need 4 to 5 minutes each side, or a short finish in the oven.
The best guide is thickness and feel. Lamb chops should have good colour on the outside and still feel slightly springy in the centre if you want them pink.
What Temperature Should Lamb Chops Be?
If you are using a meat thermometer, use these internal temperatures as a guide:
- Medium rare: 57°C to 60°C
- Medium: 63°C to 65°C
- Well done: 70°C and above
The temperature can rise slightly while the chops rest, so take them off the heat just before they reach your final target.
How to Grill Lamb Chops
Lamb chops are also great cooked under the grill.
- Preheat the grill to high.
- Pat the lamb chops dry and season with salt, pepper and a little oil.
- Place the chops on a grill tray.
- Grill for around 4 to 5 minutes each side, depending on thickness.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Keep an eye on them while grilling, as the fat can catch and brown quickly.
How to Cook Lamb Chops in the Oven
If your lamb chops are thick, you can start them in a pan and finish them in the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan / Gas Mark 6.
- Sear the chops in a hot pan for 1 to 2 minutes each side.
- Transfer to an oven tray.
- Cook in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
This method is useful if you want good colour on the outside without burning the chops before the middle is cooked.
What Seasoning Works Best with Lamb Chops?
Lamb chops do not need complicated seasoning.
Salt, black pepper, garlic, rosemary and thyme are classic with lamb. Lemon juice, mint, chilli, cumin and smoked paprika also work well if you want something a bit different.
For a simple version, use salt, pepper, garlic and rosemary. For a fresher finish, squeeze a little lemon juice over the chops before serving.
Should You Marinate Lamb Chops?
You can marinate lamb chops, but you do not have to.
A short marinade can add flavour, especially if you are grilling or barbecuing. Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper make a simple lamb chop marinade.
Do not leave very acidic marinades on too long, as they can start to affect the texture of the meat. A couple of hours is usually plenty.
What to Serve with Lamb Chops
Lamb chops work with classic roast-style sides or lighter meals.
Good serving ideas include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Roast potatoes
- Chips
- Mint sauce
- Gravy
- Greek salad
- Flatbreads
- Rice
- Couscous
- Roasted vegetables
- Peas or green beans
For a simple dinner, lamb chops with mash, peas and mint sauce is hard to beat.
Why Are My Lamb Chops Tough?
If lamb chops are tough, they have usually been overcooked or cooked too aggressively for too long.
Lamb chops are small, so they cook quickly. Once they go past medium, they can become drier and firmer. Resting also makes a difference, because it gives the juices time to settle before you cut into them.
Tips for Cooking Lamb Chops
- Take the chops out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.
- Pat them dry before seasoning so they sear properly.
- Use a hot pan, but do not burn the fat.
- Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Rest the chops for 5 minutes before serving.
- Use rosemary, garlic, butter and lemon for easy flavour.
Final Thoughts
Lamb chops are quick to cook and full of flavour. The key is keeping things simple: hot pan, good seasoning, short cooking time and a proper rest.
Cook them for around 3 to 4 minutes each side, depending on thickness, then serve with mint sauce, potatoes, salad, vegetables or whatever you fancy.
Once you know how to cook lamb chops properly, they are one of the easiest lamb cuts to get right.
FAQs
How do you cook lamb chops?
Cook lamb chops in a hot frying pan or griddle for around 3 to 4 minutes each side, then rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How long do lamb chops take to cook?
Lamb chops usually take around 3 to 4 minutes each side in a hot pan. Thicker chops may need slightly longer or a short finish in the oven.
Should lamb chops be pink?
Lamb chops can be served pink if you like them that way. Medium rare is around 57°C to 60°C, while medium is around 63°C to 65°C.
Can you cook lamb chops in the oven?
Yes. For thicker lamb chops, sear them in a pan first, then finish in the oven at 200°C / 180°C fan / Gas Mark 6 for 5 to 8 minutes.
Can you grill lamb chops?
Yes, lamb chops grill well. Cook under a hot grill for around 4 to 5 minutes each side, depending on thickness.
What seasoning is best for lamb chops?
Salt, black pepper, garlic, rosemary and thyme are classic seasonings for lamb chops. Lemon, mint, chilli and cumin also work well.
Why are my lamb chops tough?
Lamb chops are usually tough because they have been overcooked. Cook them quickly and rest them before serving.
