These spicy marinated Turkish lamb chops are simple and satisfying. You will only need a few ingredients, a skillet, and about 5 minutes to sear these mouthwatering lamb chops.
This Turkish lamb chops recipe is one of our favorite ways of cooking this cut of lamb. Check out our Air Fryer Lamb Chops as well; you could also cook these Turkish marinated chops in the air fryer. Or make Mediterranean-marinated Lamb Chops next!
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๐Why will you love this recipe?
- Simple ingredients: The Turkish marinade for lamb chops is made with just a few cupboard ingredients; itโs fresh and delicious.
- Quick: Gathering ingredients and seasoning lamb chops takes about 5 minutes, and pan-searing the lamb chops takes another 5.
- Serve: This meal is simple and fast enough to make the perfect busy weeknight dinner for the whole family, yet it is elegant enough for a romantic dinner or an evening with friends. Pair them withย Cheesy Smashed Potatoesย andย Air-Fried Asparagus, for instance.
- Cooking method: I cooked these Turkish lamb chops in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop, but you can also grill them in a griddle pan, on the grill outside, or air fry them.
๐Recipe ingredients
- A rack of chops: I had frozen New Zealand lamb rib chops cut into individual rib chops. Defrost them in the refrigerator overnight.
- The racks were cut into single pieces. If yours are not, cutting lamb chops is easy. Just cut between the bones using a sharp knife.
- 8 ribs weigh about 2.2 lbs (1 kg); they will serve 2-3 people as a main dish or 4 as an appetizer.
- Marinade ingredients: garlic, lemon zest, and juice of one unwaxed, organic lemon, dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, red chili flakes, fine sea salt or Kosher salt, ground black pepper, and olive oil.
- If authentic Turkish pul biber (red chili flakes) is available, do use it!
- More olive oil to pan-sear the meat.
๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ณHow to make Turkish lamb chops?
Lamb chop marinade
Stir grated garlic cloves, lemon juice and zest, dried herbs, red chili flakes (or red pepper flakes), salt, pepper, and olive oil in a small bowl until a thick paste forms. Pour the spice mixture over the chops and turn them in the marinade to coat them all over.
- Marinating time: Remove the meat pieces from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking so that they can come to room temperature (1).
- If you choose to marinade them for 30 minutes, do that immediately and then leave the meat on the counter until ready to cook (2).
- If you want to marinade the chops for longer than 30 minutes (2-3 hours), marinate them in the refrigerator and take them out 30 minutes before cooking.
Cook the lamb chops
- Heat the cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat. Add oil to the pan.
- Place the chops in the hot pan on the narrow fat side and cook the fat for 2 minutes until a bit of the has been rendered.
- Arrange them in a single layer in the pan and cook the first side for about 2 minutes (3).
- Flip with tongs and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes (4).
- Donโt overcook; check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Let the lamb rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Internal temperature for lamb chops before and after resting
- Medium-rare: 130ยฐF/ 55ยฐC; after resting 140ยฐF/ 60ยฐC
- Medium: 150ยฐF/ 65ยฐC; after resting 160ยฐF/ 71ยฐC
- Well-done: 160ยฐF/ 71ยฐC; after resting 170ยฐF/ 77ยฐC
๐Expert Tips
The best pan to use is a cast-iron skillet; it retains the heat best and helps sear the meat perfectly. If you don't have one, use another large, thick-bottomed frying pan.
Donโt overcrowd the pan, or the meat will steam instead of being nicely seared.
Frying the narrow fat strip of the chops first helps protect the meat, keeping it tender and adding flavor.
โRecipe FAQs
Yes, you can buy already frenched chops or prepare them yourself.
Yes, but as they are usually thicker, you might add another minute or two to the cooking time. Check with an instant-read thermometer.
This Turkish marinade is an essential part of the dish, but you don't necessarily have to use it. Instead, you can choose another marinade or rub the meat with oil and sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and other spices.
They are best served immediately after resting for a few minutes. If they sit for too long, they will lose their temperature, and the fat will congeal.
Cooking these small pieces of meat only takes 5 minutes, and they are best served right away; thatโs why I donโt recommend cooking them in advance.
However, you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Reheat them in the preheated oven (350ยฐF/ 180ยฐC) in a baking dish covered with aluminum foil for 10-15 minutes.
๐ฝ๏ธWhat to serve with lamb chops?
We have curated a selection of delectable side dishes that perfectly complement lamb chops.
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๐ Recipe
Turkish Lamb Chops
Equipment
- Skillet
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 8 single-rib lamb chops Notes 1,2,3
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Marinade:
- 3 large garlic cloves grated
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest Note 4
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- ยผ - ยฝ teaspoon red chili flakes to taste, Note 5
- ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt or Kosher
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Lamb chops: Remove them from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Place them in a baking dish in a single layer.8 single-rib lamb chops
- Marinade: Mix all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over the lamb chops and turn the meat into the marinade to coat it all over.1 tablespoon olive oil + 3 large garlic cloves + 1 teaspoon lemon zest + 2 tablespoons lemon juice + 1 teaspoon oregano + 1 teaspoon thyme + 1 teaspoon rosemary + ยผ - ยฝ teaspoon red chili flakes + ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt + ยผ teaspoon black pepper + 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Marinating time: You can marinate the chops for the 30 minutes they need to reach room temperature or for 2-3 hours.
- Heat the cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan.
- Place the chops in the hot pan on the narrow fat side and cook the fat for 2 minutes until a bit of it has been rendered.
- Arrange them in a single layer in the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Then, flip with tongs and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
- Check: Donโt overcook; check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer (Note 6).
- Rest the chops for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Racks of lamb that are cut into single chops. You can buy them already cut, or you can cut them yourself. One individual rib weighs about 2.5 oz/ 75 g.
- Servings: 8 lamb rib chops serve 4 as an appetizer or 2-3 as a main dish.
- The nutrition is calculated for 2 lamb chops per serving.
- Preferably from an organic, unwaxed lemon.
- For an authentic flavor, use pul biber โ Turkish red chili flakes. Alternatively, use red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to taste.
- Internal temperature for lamb chops before and after resting:
- Medium-rare: 130ยฐF/55ยฐC; after resting 140ยฐF/60ยฐC
- Medium: 150ยฐF/65ยฐC; after resting 160ยฐF/71ยฐC
- Well-done: 160ยฐF/71ยฐC; after resting 170ยฐF/77ยฐC
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