Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops

Name: Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 lamb chops (bone-in ribs); 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons sumac; ½ teaspoon aleppo pepper; 2 teaspoons ground coriander; 2 teaspoons za'atar; 2 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; ½ cup Greek yogurt (for serving); 1 shallot (thinly sliced); 4 radishes (thinly sliced); ½ fresno pepper (thinly sliced (optional)); 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar; ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt (or more to taste); 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; ½ lemon (zested); ½ cup cilantro (roughly chopped); 2 tablespoons mint (roughly chopped)

These Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops feature Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors wrapped up in one easy grilling recipe. Served with a refreshing herb salad on top, this elegant dish is perfect for summer dinners or special events.

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a large platter holding grilled lamb chops topped with salad.

Mediterranean lamb chops on the grill

These Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops are a summertime favorite. Featuring an herbaceous, smoky marinade and a fresh herb salad on top, you can make this vibrant meal for summer celebrations or dinners at home.

You may be surprised at just how easy this lamb chop recipe really is. There aren’t any fancy techniques involved or long cook times. Those are better off in my elegant Crusted Rack of Lamb recipe.

These rib chops first sit in a marinade flavored with sumac, aleppo pepper, dried seasonings, and oil. You can even make the marinade ahead of time or leave the chops to marinate for hours if you need to save time. Grill the marinated chops for a few minutes on the grill and you’re done!

Make these succulent grilled lamb chops one of your new summer go-to’s! They’re sure to be loved by all, especially if they’re served next to Grilled Smashed Potato Salad and Pesto Green Bean Salad.

close up on grilled lamb chops on a platter topped with salad.

Ingredients and substitutions

Lamb is tender with a subtle gamey, grassy flavor on its own. The flavors only get better when you dress it in beautiful marinades and serve complimentary sides and sauces on the side.

This recipe is elevated with a blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavor profiles using these ingredients:

Lamb chops – Grilling bone-in lamb rib chops is one of the best ways to cook this meaty cut. Regardless of their thickness, rib chops are ready to eat after just a few minutes on the grill. You can use lamb loin chops instead of rib chops but they’ll need a few extra minutes to cook on each side. Pro tip: I’ve found that buying rib roasts and cutting them yourself is less expensive than buying pre-cut chops.
Lamb marinade – This 5-ingredient marinade is slightly smoky and savory. All you need to make it is garlic powder, sumac, ground coriander, aleppo pepper, and olive oil. Feel free to replace the aleppo pepper with cumin or ancho chili powder and use lemon zest instead of sumac.
Herb salad – I made this salad with a base of mint and cilantro dressed in oil and lemon zest, then topped it with quick pickled radishes, shallots, and fresno peppers. The heat in the pepper will be toned down once it’s pickled, but if you’re worried about it, use serrano peppers or jalapenos instead.
Greek yogurt – For dipping!

ingredients for grilled lamb chops on white plates.

How to make grilled marinated lamb chops

The process is easy: season, marinate, and grill the chops! Follow these step-by-step instructions to get started:

Prepare the marinade: Mix the spices and oil together in a small bowl.
Marinate the lamb chops: Rub the marinade all over each lamb chop, then leave them to marinate for 15 minutes or 1 hour.
Grill the chops: Place the marinated lamb chops on a hot grill and cook on each side until they reach your desired doneness (see below for lamb cooking temperatures). Take them off the heat and let the chops rest while you prepare the salad.
Make the herb salad: Toss the radishes, fresno pepper, and shallots with vinegar and salt in a large bowl. Let them sit and pickle for a few minutes. Afterward, add the mint, cilantro, and oil, and toss to combine.
Serve and enjoy: Transfer the chops to a platter and place the herb salad on top. Serve the chops with Greek yogurt on the side for dipping, then enjoy!

4 images showing marinated and grilled lamb chops and herb salad in a bowl.

Lamb cooking temperatures

An instant-read thermometer will help you grill the lamb to the perfect temperature. Use these temperatures from The Kitchn as a guide:

Rare: 115ºF – 120ºF
Medium rare: 120ºF – 125ºF
Medium: 130ºF – 135ºF
Medium well: 140ºF – 145ºF
Well done: 150ºF – 155ºF

Don’t forget: the lamb will continue to cook even after it’s off the heat. Remove the chops from the grill when they’re about 5 degrees away from your desired doneness to ensure they don’t overcook.

Frequently asked questions

How long do you marinate lamb chops?

The chops can sit in the marinade for as little as 15 minutes or as long as 24 hours. Keep them in the fridge if you’re marinating them for more than 1 hour. Afterward, let the chops in the marinade sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Should you sear lamb chops before grilling?

You can pan sear lamb chops on the stove but it isn’t a necessary step before cooking them on the grill.

How do you know when lamb chops are done on the grill?

You’ll know the chops are ready once they’ve reached your desired internal temperature. Follow the guide with the cooking temperatures above.

Can you bake lamb chops in the oven instead?

Cook the lamb chops under the broiler on HIGH if you don’t have a grill. They should be ready to eat after about 5 to 8 minutes per side.

What pairs well with lamb?

I love serving grilled lamb chops with fresh and flavorful sides like tomato salad, lemon risotto, and chopped salad.

grilled lamb chops on a white plate with tomato salad on the side.

Looking for more grilling recipes?

If you try these Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!