Garlic Butter Lamb Chops Recipe

Name: Garlic Butter Lamb Chops Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 5 lamb loin chops; Salt and black pepper; 2 tablespoons butter; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (chopped)

Garlic Butter Lamb Chops Recipe are pan seared, so simple to cook and such a delicious and healthy option for dinner. Easy lamb chops recipe in just 15 minutes!

If you often visit my site, you know that I love lamb chops by the amount of recipes I post such as Grilled Lamb Chops and Lamb Chops with Mustard Sauce.

Overhead view of a skillet containing garlic butter lamb chop

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So, today I’m so excited to share another recipe with you, because I’m sure you’ll love making this lamb rib chops for dinner over and over again.

These garlic butter lamb chops are super juicy, flavourful and tender thanks to the garlic butter thyme sauce. Wow guys I’m telling you, this sauce is to die for and it’s so simple to make.

I love all recipes with garlic butter with garlic butter sauce. It makes any meat melt-in-your-mouth like this Cod Recipe, Shrimp Recipe, Baked Tilapia, Baked Chicken Thighs and Garlic Butter Baked Salmon.

The butter sauce is super easy to make as well. Once you melt the butter in the skillet, simply add the minced garlic and chopped thyme, and give it a good stir. Done! Then, you just need to pour this sauce over the lamb chops, and enjoy!

In only 5 minutes, you’ll prep everything, and in 10-12 minutes you will sear the lamb chops in a cast iron skillet, and they’ll be done and ready to eat.

Recipe Ingredients

Good quality butter —if possible organic, grass-fed or ghee. But if you prefer to make it dairy-free, replace butter for two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil.

Garlic — fresh garlic is best.

Fresh thyme — you can also swap for basil, cilantro or fresh rosemary.

Salt and ground black pepper

Lamb chops — see below for tips on buying lamb!

How To Cook Lamb Chops

Remove lamb chops from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking and pat them dry with paper towels. If there is moisture on the lamb chops, you won’t get a nice sear to it. Season well with salt and pepper.

Heat a dry cast iron skillet over a medium high heat. Then, place the chops narrow fat side down just like on the picture below. Using tongs press the chops down so that the fat renders and turns crisp and brown. This prevents the lamb chops from being overcooked while the fat renders.

left: raw lamb chops on a wooden board seasoned with salt and black pepper. right: raw lamb chops seared on the sides in a pan to render the fat.

Once the fat has melted into the pan, lay the chops flat on one of their sides. Cook them until browned, then turn and cook on the other side. Then, add 2 tablespoons off butter (or ghee), garlic and thyme.

Stir well until the butter is foaming, and spoon the butter over the lamb for a minute or so. Basting the lamb chops will add much more flavour to them.

left: seared lamb chops in a cast iron skillet. right: lamb chops in a garlic butter sauce in a cast iron skillet.

Olivis’s Recipe Tips

Choose fresh, high-quality lamb chops for the best flavor and tenderness.
If you have time, let the lamb chops marinate in garlic, herbs, and butter for at least 30 minutes to infuse them with rich flavors.
Sear the lamb chops over high heat to achieve a beautiful crust, locking in the juices and enhancing the overall taste.
During cooking, I like to baste the chops with garlic butter for added richness and an irresistible aroma.
Allow the lamb chops to rest for a few minutes after cooking to ensure they remain juicy and tender when you cut into them.

How to Pick Lamb Chops

When picking lamb chops at the store, look for chops that are pink to red with white marbling.
Marbling is not as important with lamb compared to buying a piece of steak, but you want the fat to be evenly distributed.
The lamb chops should be a little bit more than an inch thick. You don’t want chops that are too thick or the outside will be overcooked before the interior is ready to eat.
There are many different cuts of lamb chops: loin chops, shoulder chops, sirloin chops, and rib chops. You are welcome to use whichever cut that is sold at your local butcher or grocery store. If you’re able to pick, rib chops would be ideal as they’re not super expensive, not super thick, and isn’t tough.

Lamb Chops Temperature Guide:

For me, it tastes best once it’s cook to medium, which means the internal temperature is 145ºF. Measure it by inserting an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat.

If you prefer rare, the ideal temperature is 130˚F
For medium rare is 135˚F
For medium well is 160˚F
For well done the ideal temperature is 165˚F

How To Store Leftovers

To Store: If you have lamb chop leftovers, allow the lamb chops to cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container. Properly stored, cooked lamb chop will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Due to how easy it is to dry out, I don’t suggest you meal prep lamb chop.

To Reheat: To reheat these garlic butter lamb chop without losing moisture, I suggest you use to oven to reheat them. Bake them for 5 to 10 minutes per side at a 350F oven, covered with aluminum foil. You can also add in a splash of stock or garlic butter to keep the lamb chop moist while reheating.

If you’re in a rush and need to reheat the lamb chop in the microwave, you will have to add the lamb and some stock to a microwave safe bowl, cover, and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

What To Serve With This Recipe

I love to serve lamb chops with lots of veggies on the side like my delicious Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe, or this super cozy and yummy Roasted Butternut Squash Mash (if you’re not a fan of butternut squash you can make this Mashed Potatoes. You can also serve it with a salad like this Easy Mediterranean Salad Recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this recipe be grilled?

Yes, you can grill this recipe! You just need to preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Follow steps 1 and 2 of the recipe to prepare and season the lamb loin chops.
Once the grill is hot, place the seasoned lamb chops directly onto the grill grates.
Grill the chops for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Follow steps 6 and 7 of the recipe to finish the lamb chops with the butter, garlic, and thyme sauce.

Do I need to soak my lamb chops before cooking?

No, you don’t need to soak your lamb chops before making this recipe.

Why did my lamb chops turn out chewy?

Your lamb chops may have turned out chewy due to overcooking, low-quality meat, incorrect cooking method, or lack of marination/seasoning.

How many lamb chops should I serve per person?

A typical serving size for lamb chops is around 2 to 3 chops per person. However, this can vary depending on the size of the chops and the appetite of your guests. It’s always a good idea to consider factors such as the accompaniments and the overall size of the meal when determining serving sizes.

More Lamb Chops Recipe to Try:

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