Juicy Ina Garten Lamb Chops Recipe for Special Nights

Mediterranean lamb chops are a game-changer for anyone craving a culinary adventure that sizzles with flavor.

These succulent cuts of meat transport your palate to sun-drenched landscapes with their aromatic blend of spices.

Tender and juicy, each lamb chop tells a story of traditional cooking methods mixed with modern gastronomic flair.

Fresh herbs and bold seasonings dance together, creating a symphony of taste that elevates your dinner from ordinary to extraordinary.

The marinade infuses each bite with rich, complex notes that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Professional and home cooks alike will appreciate how simple ingredients can create such a remarkable dish.

Let’s turn an everyday meal into a restaurant-worthy experience that will leave your guests craving more.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 470 kcal

Servings: 4

Lamb Chop Ingredients (Ina Garten Version)

• Garlic: Choose fresh, firm cloves without green sprouts for robust flavor.
• Mint Leaves: Select bright green, crisp leaves without wilting or brown edges.
• Turmeric: Look for vibrant golden-orange powder with rich, earthy aroma.
• Coriander Seeds: Pick whole seeds with strong, citrusy fragrance.
• Cumin: Opt for freshly ground or whole seeds with deep, warm scent.
• Lemon: Select firm, bright yellow citrus with smooth, glossy skin.
• Kosher Salt: Choose coarse, flaky salt for better texture and distribution.
• Olive Oil: Pick extra virgin for most authentic, rich Mediterranean taste.

• Greek Yogurt: Select thick, creamy style without excess liquid.
• Sriracha Sauce: Find authentic Thai-style sauce with balanced heat.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh-squeezed provides brightest, zestiest flavor.

• Lamb Chops: Choose well-marbled, pink meat with minimal gristle.

Tools Needed for Perfect Lamb Chops

• Food Processor: Powerful kitchen tool for blending marinade ingredients into a smooth, fragrant mixture.
• Mixing Bowl: Large container for combining yogurt, sriracha, and lemon juice to create a tangy coating.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise utensils for adding the right amount of spices and salt.
• Charcoal Grill: Outdoor cooking equipment to achieve smoky, caramelized lamb chops.
• Grill Brush: Essential for oiling grates and preventing lamb from sticking.
• Tongs: Perfect for flipping and maneuvering lamb chops on the hot grill.
• Foil: Helpful for tenting and resting grilled meat to retain juiciness.
• Clean Plate: Surface for resting and serving the finished lamb chops.
• Zester: Small tool for extracting fragrant lemon zest.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.

Follow These Steps for Ina Garten’s Lamb Chops

• Craft Flavor Explosion

Unleash a burst of taste by blending garlic, mint, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and lemon zest in a food processor. Drizzle olive oil slowly to create a vibrant marinade that will make your taste buds dance.

• Infuse Lamb with Zesty Goodness

Mix Greek yogurt, sriracha, and lemon juice to create a tangy coating. Lavishly spread the herb-packed marinade over lamb chops, ensuring every inch is covered. Let the flavors meld and intensify in the refrigerator for several hours.

• Fire Up the Grill

Heat the charcoal grill until it’s screaming hot. Brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking and create those mouthwatering grill marks that scream “delicious.”

• Grill to Mouthwatering Perfection

Place lamb chops over sizzling coals, cooking 4-5 minutes on each side. Aim for a caramelized exterior and juicy medium-rare center that will have everyone begging for seconds.

• Serve and Savor

Let the grilled lamb rest briefly, allowing the juices to settle and intensify the flavors. Plate your culinary masterpiece and get ready for a flavor explosion that will make your meal unforgettable.

Make Your Lamb Chops Pop with Ina’s Tips

• Grilling Game-Changer: Experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary or thyme to create unique flavor profiles that complement the lamb's rich taste.
• Marinade Magic: Double the marinade recipe and reserve half as a zesty sauce for drizzling over finished lamb chops, adding an extra burst of flavor just before serving.
• Temperature Trick: Use a meat thermometer to ensure precise doneness – 135°F for medium-rare delivers the most tender and juicy results every single time.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace lamb with thick-cut portobello mushrooms or eggplant slices, following the same marinating and grilling technique for a delicious plant-based alternative that captures all the original recipe's incredible spice blend.

How to Plate and Serve Lamb Chops

• Pair with Zesty Mediterranean Sides
• Serve alongside a vibrant Greek salad with crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese to complement the lamb's rich flavors.
• Create a Fresh Herb Garnish
• Sprinkle chopped fresh mint and parsley over the lamb chops just before serving to add brightness and aromatic freshness that enhances the dish's complex spice profile.
• Design Elegant Plating Strategy
• Arrange lamb chops on a warm white platter, slightly overlapping to showcase the caramelized exterior and invite diners to explore the restaurant-quality presentation.
• Recommend Wine Pairing
• Select a bold red wine like Syrah or Malbec with robust tannins that can stand up to the lamb's intense marinade and bring out the dish's deep, complex flavors.

Store and Prep Ina Garten’s Lamb Chops Smartly

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Prep Ahead Like a Pro: Marinate lamb chops up to 24 hours in advance, storing covered in the refrigerator to maximize flavor penetration and convenience.
• Refrigerate with Confidence: Store leftover grilled lamb chops in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Place a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture and maintain meat quality.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Wrap individual lamb chops tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen lamb remains delicious for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat Without Drying: Warm refrigerated lamb chops gently in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-12 minutes, covering with foil to preserve moisture and prevent tough texture.

Succulent Ina Garten Lamb Chops Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s succulent lamb chops offer Mediterranean flavors that dance across palates with herb-infused elegance. Grilled to perfection and seasoned with rosemary and garlic, these chops invite home cooks to savor restaurant-quality dining at their own table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 racks of lamb (6 to 7 ribs each), cut into chops
• 1 ½ cups (12 oz/360 ml) plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
• 6 large garlic cloves
• 5 tbsps (75 ml/5 fl oz) good olive oil, plus extra for the grill
• 1 ½ tbsps ground turmeric
• 1 tbsp whole coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
• ⅓ cup fresh mint leaves, julienned
• 3 tbsps (45 ml/1.5 fl oz) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Kosher salt
• 1 ½ tsps Sriracha

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Instructions

1. Marinade Creation: Pulse garlic, mint leaves, turmeric, coriander seeds, cumin, and lemon zest in a food processor. Integrate kosher salt and olive oil until achieving a smooth, fragrant blend.
2. Marination Process: Lavishly coat lamb chops with herb mixture. Whisk Greek yogurt with Sriracha and lemon juice, thoroughly covering meat. Refrigerate 6-24 hours to develop robust flavor profile.
3. Grill Preparation: Heat charcoal grill to high temperature. Lightly oil grates to prevent sticking and create appealing sear marks.
4. Grilling Technique: Position lamb chops 5-6 inches above hot coals. Grill yogurt-coated side up for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes, aiming for medium-rare with caramelized exterior.
5. Serving Protocol: Transfer grilled chops to serving plate. Tent with foil and rest 10 minutes to redistribute internal juices. Plate alongside complementary side dishes, serving immediately for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Marinate Strategically: Allow lamb chops to soak in herbs and yogurt for at least 6 hours, with 24 hours delivering maximum flavor complexity and tenderizing effect.
• Temperature Precision: Use high-heat charcoal grill to achieve perfect caramelization, maintaining 4-5 minutes per side for ideal medium-rare doneness.
• Rest for Juiciness: Always let grilled lamb chops rest 10 minutes under foil tent, which redistributes internal juices and guarantees succulent, tender meat.
• Coating Technique: Ensure complete coverage of lamb chops with herb marinade and yogurt mixture, allowing each piece to absorb maximum aromatic flavors and develop rich, complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg