Herbed Garlic-Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops
Savor the delightful flavors of our Herbed Garlic-Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops, a dish that’s both elegant and easy to prepare. This recipe highlights tender shoulder lamb chops that are marinated in a fragrant mixture of garlic, fresh rosemary, and a hint of cayenne pepper, resulting in succulent meat with a wonderful depth of flavor. Perfect for a casual family dinner or a special gathering, these chops can be cooked on either charcoal or gas grills, letting you enjoy the great outdoors. With minimal ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can impress your guests without spending all day in the kitchen. Let’s fire up the grill and enjoy a taste of gourmet perfection right at home!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garlic cloves
2 large (pureed (about 1 tablespoon))
Fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon (minced)
Cayenne pepper
1 pinch
Olive oil
2 tablespoons
Shoulder lamb chops
4 (about 3/4 inch thick (blade or round bone))
Salt
to taste
Fresh ground pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine pureed garlic, minced rosemary, cayenne pepper, and olive oil. Mix until a paste forms.
2
Rub the marinade generously over both sides of the shoulder lamb chops. Allow the chops to marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor absorption.
3
For a charcoal grill, set up your grill with enough coals to create a cooking surface for all four chops. Once the coals are covered with gray ash, spread them out, place the grill rack on top, and cover for about 5 minutes to heat the rack.
4
Sprinkle both sides of each lamb chop with salt and freshly ground pepper just before grilling.
5
Grill the chops over direct heat for 2 minutes on one side until nicely browned. If you encounter any flames, momentarily move the chops off the heat to extinguish flames if needed.
6
Carefully flip each chop and grill for an additional 2 minutes for medium-rare or 2.5 minutes for medium doneness.
7
For gas grilling, preheat the grill on high for 15 minutes, then leave one burner on high while reducing the others to medium heat.
8
Rub the marinated chops with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper before placing them on the hotter part of the grill, covering them as they cook for about 4 minutes until well browned.
9
Transfer the chops to the cooler side of the grill, continuing to cook with the lid closed, turning once, until the desired doneness is reached: approximately 6 minutes for rare (120°F), 8 minutes for medium (130°F), or 10 minutes for well-done (140°F to 150°F).
10
Once cooked, remove chops from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Herbed Garlic-Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops?
They are tender shoulder lamb chops marinated in a fragrant mixture of garlic, fresh rosemary, and cayenne pepper, then grilled to a succulent finish.
What cut of lamb is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using shoulder lamb chops, such as blade or round bone cuts, approximately 3/4 inch thick.
How long should I marinate the lamb chops?
You should marinate the chops at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or you can refrigerate them overnight for deeper flavor.
What ingredients are in the marinade paste?
The marinade paste consists of pureed garlic, minced fresh rosemary, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and olive oil.
How do I prepare the garlic for the marinade?
The garlic should be pureed until it reaches a paste-like consistency, totaling about one tablespoon.
Can I use a charcoal grill for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe provides specific instructions for charcoal grilling over direct heat once the coals are covered with gray ash.
How do I set up a gas grill for these lamb chops?
Preheat on high for 15 minutes, then keep one burner on high while reducing the others to medium to create hot and cool zones.
When should I add salt and pepper to the meat?
Sprinkle both sides of each lamb chop with salt and freshly ground pepper just before you place them on the grill.
How long do I grill lamb chops on a charcoal grill for medium-rare?
Grill the chops over direct heat for 2 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the second side.
What is the grilling time for medium doneness on a charcoal grill?
Grill for 2 minutes on the first side and 2.5 minutes on the second side.
What should I do if the grill has flare-ups?
Momentarily move the chops away from the heat source to allow the flames to extinguish before continuing to grill.
How long do I sear the chops on a gas grill?
Place the chops on the hotter part of the gas grill and cook covered for about 4 minutes until well browned.
How do I finish cooking the chops on a gas grill after searing?
Transfer them to the cooler side of the grill and continue cooking with the lid closed until your desired doneness is reached.
What is the internal temperature for rare lamb chops?
Rare lamb chops should reach an internal temperature of approximately 120°F.
What is the internal temperature for medium lamb chops?
Medium lamb chops should reach an internal temperature of approximately 130°F.
What is the internal temperature for well-done lamb chops?
Well-done lamb chops should reach an internal temperature between 140°F and 150°F.
How long do well-done chops take on the cooler side of a gas grill?
It takes approximately 10 minutes on the cooler side of the grill to reach well-done status.
Why is it important to let the meat rest?
Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chop.
How long should the lamb chops rest after grilling?
The lamb chops should rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Is this recipe considered difficult to make?
No, it is an easy recipe with minimal ingredients and straightforward instructions suitable for casual dinners.
Can I use dried rosemary instead of fresh?
While fresh rosemary provides the best flavor, you can use dried rosemary if necessary, though you may need to adjust the quantity.
Does the recipe require many ingredients?
No, the recipe uses only 7 basic ingredients including the meat and seasonings.
Is the cayenne pepper optional?
The recipe calls for a pinch to add a hint of flavor, but it can be omitted if you prefer no heat at all.
What kind of oil is used in the marinade?
The recipe specifies using 2 tablespoons of olive oil for the marinade paste.
Should the grill be covered while cooking on charcoal?
The charcoal grill should be covered for 5 minutes to heat the rack before cooking, but the chops are typically grilled over direct heat.
Should the grill be covered while cooking on gas?
Yes, the gas grill should be covered during both the searing phase and the indirect cooking phase.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 2 large garlic cloves to produce about 1 tablespoon of puree.
What is the total number of lamb chops this recipe makes?
This recipe is designed for 4 shoulder lamb chops.
How thick should the shoulder lamb chops be?
The chops should be approximately 3/4 inch thick for the provided cooking times to be accurate.
Can I use this recipe for a special occasion?
Yes, despite being easy to prepare, the elegant flavors make it perfect for both family dinners and special gatherings.