BBQ Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce

BBQ Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce Recipe

ByBrian Miller

There’s nothing quite like a perfectly grilled lamb chop to satisfy your taste buds, especially when it’s accompanied by a refreshing mint yogurt sauce. At 79th Street BBQ, we’re passionate about bringing the best of BBQ to your table, and our BBQ Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce is no exception.

Crafted by our expert JL Surjan, this recipe offers a delightful balance of tender, juicy meat and a tangy, herb-infused sauce that will elevate your BBQ experience to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a beginner looking to impress, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to ensure your lamb chops turn out perfect every time. Let’s fire up the grill and get started!

Recipe for Mint Yogurt Sauce with Barbecued Lamb Chops
Credits to YouTube

Ingredients and Preparation

Before diving into the cooking process, it’s essential to gather all the ingredients you’ll need for both the lamb chops and the mint yogurt sauce. Proper preparation is key to ensuring a seamless cooking experience and achieving the best possible flavors.

Ingredients for Lamb Chops

To create succulent, flavorful lamb chops, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Lamb Chops: 8 rib or loin chops, about 1-inch thick
  • Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
  • Fresh Rosemary: 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
  • Fresh Thyme: 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon
  • Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Lemon Zest: 1 teaspoon
Ingredients for Lamb Chops
Credits to Culinary Hill

Ingredients for Mint Yogurt Sauce

For a refreshing mint yogurt sauce to complement your lamb chops, you will need:

Ingredients for Mint Yogurt Sauce
Credits to Serious Eats
  • Greek Yogurt: 1 cup
  • Fresh Mint Leaves: 1/4 cup, finely chopped
  • Garlic: 1 clove, minced
  • Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons
  • Ground Cumin: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Cayenne Pepper or Paprika (optional): 1/4 teaspoon for a hint of spice

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s move on to the cooking process. Follow these detailed steps to prepare both the lamb chops and the mint yogurt sauce.

Preparing the Lamb Chops

To ensure your lamb chops are flavorful and tender, the preparation process is crucial. Let’s break it down into two main steps: marinating and grilling.

Marinating the Lamb Chops

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
  2. Marinate the Lamb Chops: Place the lamb chops in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chops, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat fully, enhancing the taste.
  3. Remove from Refrigerator: About 30 minutes before grilling, remove the lamb chops from the refrigerator to bring them to room temperature. This step ensures even cooking.
Marinating the Lamb Chops
Credits to The Wooden Skillet

Grilling the Lamb Chops

  1. Prepare the Grill: Set up your grill for a two-zone fire, with one side on high heat for searing and the other side on medium heat for cooking through. If using a gas grill, preheat to high and then reduce one burner to medium.
  2. Grill the Lamb Chops: Place the lamb chops on the high-heat side of the grill. Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until a nice crust forms. Then, move the chops to the medium-heat side and continue grilling. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F (57°C). For medium doneness, cook until the temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
  3. Rest the Meat: Once cooked to your desired doneness, remove the lamb chops from the grill and let them rest on a plate covered with aluminum foil for about 5 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring each bite is juicy and flavorful.
Grilling the Lamb Chops
Credits to Rachel Cooks

Making the Mint Yogurt Sauce

A cool and tangy mint yogurt sauce perfectly balances the rich flavors of grilled lamb. Here’s how to make it:

Making the Mint Yogurt Sauce
Credits to Carmy
  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, chopped mint leaves, minced garlic, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper or paprika if using. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
  2. Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. You might add more lemon juice for extra tang or a pinch more salt to enhance the flavors.
  3. Chill the Sauce: For the best flavor, refrigerate the mint yogurt sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Tips for Perfect Lamb Chops

Achieving perfectly grilled lamb chops requires attention to detail and some helpful tips. Here are some expert suggestions to ensure your lamb chops turn out tender and juicy every time.

Choosing the Best Cut of Lamb

  • Rib Chops vs. Loin Chops: Rib chops are taken from the rib section of the lamb and are prized for their tenderness and flavor. They are often considered the best cut for grilling. Loin chops, on the other hand, are cut from the back of the lamb and resemble small T-bone steaks. While also delicious, loin chops are slightly less tender than rib chops but can still make a great choice.
Choosing the Best Cut of Lamb
Credits to Blue Apron’s Blog
  • Thickness Matters: When selecting lamb chops, aim for cuts that are about 1-inch thick. Thicker chops are less likely to overcook and will retain more moisture during grilling.

Cooking Tips for Tender and Juicy Lamb

  1. Room Temperature: Always bring the lamb chops to room temperature before grilling. This ensures even cooking and helps achieve a consistent doneness throughout the meat.
  2. Use a Meat Thermometer: For accuracy, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the lamb chops. This helps avoid overcooking or undercooking, ensuring the meat is perfectly cooked to your preference.
  3. Avoid Overcooking: Lamb is best enjoyed when it’s juicy and tender. Avoid overcooking by keeping a close eye on the grilling time and using a thermometer to check for the desired doneness.
BBQ Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce
Credits to Food & Wine

Serving Suggestions

Pairing your perfectly grilled lamb chops with the right side dishes and beverages can elevate your meal to a restaurant-quality experience. Here are some suggestions to complement your BBQ lamb chops with mint yogurt sauce.

Pairing the Lamb Chops with Side Dishes

Couscous
Roasted Vegetables
Fresh Salad
  1. Couscous: A light and fluffy side, couscous is an excellent complement to lamb chops. You can mix it with herbs, dried fruits, and nuts for added flavor and texture.
  2. Roasted Vegetables: Oven-roasted vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, and potatoes provide a colorful and nutritious side dish that pairs well with the rich flavors of lamb.
  3. Fresh Salad: A crisp, refreshing salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a lemon vinaigrette can balance the richness of the lamb and cleanse the palate.

Wine and Beverage Pairings

  1. Red Wine: A robust red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Syrah, pairs beautifully with grilled lamb chops, complementing the meat’s rich flavors and the tangy mint yogurt sauce.
  2. White Wine: For a lighter option, a chilled Sauvignon Blanc can offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the lamb.
  3. Non-Alcoholic Options: Consider a sparkling water with a splash of lemon or lime juice, or a mint-infused iced tea for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage that pairs well with this dish.
Wine and Beverage Pairings
Credits to Tasting Table

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers to help you perfect this recipe and adapt it to your needs.

Yes, you can still enjoy delicious lamb chops without a grill! Here are a couple of alternative methods:

  1. Stovetop Grill Pan: Use a heavy-duty grill pan on your stovetop. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and cook the lamb chops following the same instructions for grilling. This method will give you those beautiful grill marks and a similar flavor profile.
  2. Broiling in the Oven: Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place the lamb chops on a broiler pan and cook them about 4 inches from the heat source for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.

To store and reheat your lamb chops while maintaining their flavor and texture, follow these guidelines:

  1. Storing: Allow the lamb chops to cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  2. Reheating: To reheat, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the lamb chops on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Heat in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. This gentle reheating method helps retain the meat’s moisture and tenderness.

Conclusion

Recap and Final Thoughts

Grilling lamb chops to perfection and pairing them with a refreshing mint yogurt sauce is a surefire way to impress your guests or elevate a family dinner. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll master the art of preparing, marinating, and grilling lamb chops, as well as making a delicious mint yogurt sauce to accompany them. Remember, the key to perfect lamb chops is in the preparation and attention to detail during the grilling process. We hope you enjoy this recipe and add it to your BBQ repertoire. Happy grilling!

Disclosure: Our blog contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.

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