How long do lamb chops take to cook?

The thickness of the lamb chops will ultimately determine how long they take to cook; the thicker, the longer. When cooked over medium-high heat, they should take roughly three to five minutes on each side. Once the exterior is golden brown on one side, you'll know it's ready to flip onto the next.

Should you rinse lamb chops before cooking?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) , it's unnecessary to rinse lamb chops before cooking them. Rinsing them can spread harmful pathogens in your kitchen, raising the risk of contamination or foodborne illness. That said, make sure to pat the lamb loin chops dry with a clean paper towel to achieve a better crust when searing.

How to Cook Lamb Loin Chops

Name: Lamb Loin Chops Sizzled with Garlic
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 8 (1/2-inch-thick) lamb loin chops (about 2 pounds), fatty tips trimmed; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste; Dried thyme; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 10 small garlic cloves, halved; 3 tablespoons water; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 tablespoons minced parsley; Crushed red pepper

Active Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

If you've never cooked lamb chops, this recipe is a great place to start. It comes together in just 20 minutes and delivers big, rich flavors with minimal effort. To prepare it, lamb loin chops are gently seasoned with salt, pepper, and thyme before they're seared in a pan with olive oil and garlic cloves until golden brown on both sides. For a quick and easy pan sauce, combine lemon, parsley, crushed red pepper, and a splash of water to meld with the leftover pan drippings from the cooked lamb chops. The result is an impressive dish made with a handful of simple ingredients that's easy enough to include in your weekly or monthly rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do lamb chops take to cook?

The thickness of the lamb chops will ultimately determine how long they take to cook; the thicker, the longer. When cooked over medium-high heat, they should take roughly three to five minutes on each side. Once the exterior is golden brown on one side, you'll know it's ready to flip onto the next.
Should you rinse lamb chops before cooking?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it's unnecessary to rinse lamb chops before cooking them. Rinsing them can spread harmful pathogens in your kitchen, raising the risk of contamination or foodborne illness. That said, make sure to pat the lamb loin chops dry with a clean paper towel to achieve a better crust when searing.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Lamb loin chops come from the most tender part of the animal; shop for them at a butcher, farmers market, or grocery store. You'll likely choose lamb from the United States, which is usually grain-fed and mild in flavor, or from New Zealand or Australia, which is grass-fed for a more intense, pastoral taste.

Thyme imparts a natural earthiness with the seasoning, and the flavors come through beautifully with the right Cabernet. Serve these lamb chops with roasted potatoes, salad, or bread to soak up the sauce.

Suggested pairing

Lamb chops are wonderful with a robust, dark-fruited California Cabernet.

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Ingredients

8 (1/2-inch-thick) lamb loin chops (about 2 pounds), fatty tips trimmed
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 small garlic cloves, halved
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Directions

Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Season lamb with salt and pepper and sprinkle lightly with thyme.
Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

In a very large skillet over medium-high, heat olive oil until shimmering. Add lamb chops and garlic; cook over moderately high heat until chops are browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes.
Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Turn chops and garlic. Cook until chops are browned and garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes longer for medium-rare. Transfer chops to plates, leaving garlic in skillet.
Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Add water, lemon juice, parsley, and crushed red pepper to pan and cook, scraping up any browned bits stuck to bottom, until sizzling, about 1 minute.
Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Pour garlic and pan sauce over lamb chops and serve immediately.

Lamb Chops Sizzled with Garlic — Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Originally appeared: February 2005

Lamb Loin Chops Sizzled with Garlic

Frequently Asked Questions

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Suggested pairing

Ingredients

Directions

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