20-Minute Garlic Butter Lamb Chops

updated Oct 14, 2022
Several Garlic Butter lamb chops in au jus topped with herbs
Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Brett Regot"

Savoy lamb chops are seared until golden and seasoned with a garlicky butter sauce.

Serves4

Makes8 chops

Prep8 minutes

Cook10 minutes to 15 minutes

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Several Garlic Butter lamb chops in au jus topped with herbs
Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Brett Regot"

The eerie emptiness of supermarket shelves has added to the air of uncertainty over the past few weeks, and while grocers are restocking as quickly as they can, it’s still hard to find some weekly staples. Last time I shopped, the chicken and beef coolers were completely wiped clean, but there was an abundance of one type of protein — lamb chops.

As we’re all adjusting our meal plans to what’s in stock at our local grocery stores, I encourage you to give lamb chops a try. You might even discover that you prefer them to beef steaks — especially when sizzled in melted butter and garlic.

Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Brett Regot"

An Easy, Classic Recipe For Anyone New to Lamb

If cooking and eating lamb chops is outside your comfort zone, remember that the same philosophy we use to get kids to try new foods works for adults, too: Pair new foods with familiar flavors. The flavors of garlic and butter are classic, balanced, and simple, and they are the perfect vehicle for introducing lamb to your family.

Lamb chops have a richer, more savory flavor than beef, and the tiny T-bone steaks or lollipop rib chops caramelize quickly in a cast iron skillet. Cook the lamb in melted butter until it has a deep golden crust, adding the chopped garlic at the end so it doesn’t burn. For the most tender meat, cook it to rosy, medium doneness.

When it comes time to garnish, lamb loves the flavor of fresh herbs. While mint is the classic choice, flat-leaf parsley and oregano are also excellent options.

Garlic Butter Lamb Chops

Savoy lamb chops are seared until golden and seasoned with a garlicky butter sauce.

Prep time 8 minutes

Cook time 10 minutes to 15 minutes

Makes 8 chops

Serves 4

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 8

    (1 1/4-inch thick) lamb loin or rib chops

  • 1 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 4 cloves

    garlic

  • 1/4 cup

    fresh herb leaves, such as parsley, mint, or oregano

  • 1 stick

    (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

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  1. Remove the lamb chops from the refrigerator and seaon with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Set aside at room temperature for at least 5 minutes. Meanwhile, finely chop 4 garlic cloves and 1/4 cup fresh herb leaves and set each aside separately.

  2. Melt 1 stick unsalted butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling but not yet browned. Add the lamb chops and sear until browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 145°F for medium doneness, flipping halfway through, 8 to 12 minutes total.

  3. Add the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the butter, and cook for 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and garnish with the herbs.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: The lamb chops can be seasoned with salt up to 1 hour in advance and left at room temperature.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.