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My lamb chops recipe is very easy to make. Seasoned with plenty of salt pepper and seared in a cast iron skillet with garlic and rosemary. This yields the best combo of texture and flavor and perfectly cooked lamb in minutes in 3 simple steps!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The main advantage of cooking lamb chops in a skillet or pan is you can cook with garlic, rosemary, and butter. It’s the closest thing you can get to perfectly grilled lamb while taking full advantage of herbs and spices. You’ll be amazed at how much flavor you can add to meat during a short cooking period.
Learn how to cook the filet mignon of lamb, the lamb loin chop, or make traditional skillet shepherd’s pie with ground lamb. Not feeling adventurous? There’s always the classic bacon-wrapped filet mignon waiting for you. If you prefer pork, wrap up a pork tenderloin in bacon.
Ingredients
- Lamb chops: lamb chops, also referred to as lamb lollipops, come from the rib of the lamb. They’re sold presliced in individual segments as pictured or as a whole rack for roasting. Look for bright red lamb meat that’s not slimy and mild in smell.
- Garlic cloves and rosemary: this recipe gets most of its flavor from fresh garlic and rosemary. It pairs phenomenally with lamb.
- Butter: adds richness and flavor that you can drizzle over the lamb. This helps to soak up the herbs and garlic so you can taste it throughout the dish.
- Salt: salt is incredibly important from both a flavor and searing component. It’s what brings out the delicious flavor of lamb.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
How to Cook Lamb Chops in a Skillet
Step 1.
Let lamb rest on the counter for 20-30 minutes before cooking. Season each side of lamb liberally with salt and pepper.
Step 2.
Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet on medium-high heat. Wait until the skillet is nice and warm. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side, for medium.
Smoke Warning: Searing lamb at high temps in a skillet tends to get smokey. Be prepared to use a vent fan or open a window.
Step 3.
In the last 2 minutes, add butter, garlic, and rosemary to the edge of the skillet. Briefly tilt the pan so the drippings, butter, herbs, and garlic can sizzle together. When the chops are done, spoon the butter/juices over the chops to flavor. Remove from the pan and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
- Always take the meat off the cooking surface 5-7 degrees ahead of the desired final temperature as it will continue to heat as it rests.
- Remove lamb from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking so it can come to room temp. This ensures more accurate cooking times.
- Let lamb rest for 10 minutes after cooking and before cutting/serving. Just like steak, this allows the juices to settle and redistribute throughout the meat.
- American lamb tends to be less gamey than Australian lamb due to its diet. Always buy fresh quality cuts that are brownish red with white fat. Avoid dull or grey-looking meat with yellowing fat.
Temperature for Lamb
Medium-rare lamb is served at around 130°F. Use a digital thermometer if you’re unsure. I personally like my lamb served around medium-rare/medium. Always take the meat off the cooking surface just ahead of the desired final temperature as it will continue to heat as it rests.
| Doneness | Temperature Range |
|---|---|
| Rare | 125°F |
| Medium rare | 130-135°F |
| Medium | 135-140°F |
| Medium well | 145°F |
| Well done | 150°F and above |
What to Serve with Lamb Chops?
The sky is the limit here, but the group that instantly comes to mind is potatoes. Lamb is red meat, so anything that pairs well with a nice steak will most likely go with lamb. A few personal favs are cheesy rosemary mashed potatoes, roasted red potatoes, and bacon brussel sprouts. Savory, flavorful sides are the perfect complement to lamb.
Then again there is always mint jelly…but I still haven’t come to terms with that yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cook as many as you can comfortably fit. Just note, more lamb means greater temperature loss. You may need to adjust cooking times or start with a hotter skillet. Do not stack or overlap.
Fresh lamb should have a vibrant color, white marbling, and no offputting aroma. If lamb starts to feel slimy, looks dull, or grey with yellowing fat, it’s likely turned and should not be consumed.
If you opt for grilling the lamb, grill on medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes per side for medium. Just note, that lamb is very fatty and the drippings may cause flare-ups. You can prepare garlic and herb butter on the stovetop and drizzle over the lamb on a serving platter.
More Skillet Recipes
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this recipe, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Lamb Chops with Garlic & Rosemary Recipe (Lamb Lollipops)
Ingredients
- 8 lamb chops, usually 1 inch thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 whole garlic cloves, peeled
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Let lamb rest on the counter for 20-30 minutes before cooking. Season each side of lamb liberally with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet on medium-high heat. Wait until the skillet is nice and warm. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side, for medium.
- In the last 2 minutes, add butter, garlic, and rosemary to the edge of the skillet. Briefly tilt the pan so the drippings, butter, herbs, and garlic can sizzle together. When the chops are done, spoon the butter/juices over the chops to flavor. Remove from the pan and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
| Rare | 115°F to 120°F |
| Medium rare | 125°F |
| Medium | 130°F |
| Medium well | 145°F |
| Well done | 150°F and above |
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m not a relative…
it was GREAT with margarine and
garlic powder
Best recipe for lollipop lamb chops the cat even loved it! I will make this again and again and share the recipe with all friends that love these. Thanks for sharing.
The entire family enjoyed every morsel! We would definitely make it again…..
The lamb lollipops were delicious following your recipe. Thank you!
I made this recipe and everything was amazing! Thank you.
Hi Shawn,
Dad and I tried these in our Lodge pan and they were delicious! We used our own Rosemary. Great recipe!?
Love, mom and dad
Hi Shawn and Patty,
Heard about your blog from Mom. I showed uncle Joey the lamb lollipop recipe… Definitely his favorite. Hope all is well with you.Look forward to seeing you when we get home. Peace, Auntie Patty
Thanks Auntie Patty! Please let me know how they come out!