Craving new food? Mediterranean flavors in these Egyptian grilled lamb chops will have your mouth water! They are first marinated in yogurt and then served with spiced yogurt sauce.
Best of all, they cook in no time and are the perfect solution when you need a fancy dinner quickly.
I think that lamb is something most people miss out on. Lamb is such great quality, decadent meat that pairs well with sweet and savory flavors creating mouth-watering recipes.
When people think of “international flavors,” their go-to is usually Italian, Chinese, Mexican, or French. But many times, people miss out on some amazing cuisines from different regions of the world, like the Middle East.
If you throw a lamb chop in the oven, what's to keep it from getting done? - Joan Crawford
If you think “lamb” and then “chop,” then you have come to the right place. This recipe will blow your mind!
Lamb chops are one of my favorite meats on the bone. As with your chicken, beef, and other protein, you can season and prepare lamb in so many different ways.
If you’re looking to add a different protein to your menu or explore another region of the world’s cuisine, then this easy Egyptian dish should be at the top of your list!
๐ Why it Works
This recipe involves some tartness and some spice. Yogurt with meat? Heck yeah! Well, first of all, this isn’t your sweet, vanilla yogurt!
This is Greek yogurt, the tart kind, kind that makes you pucker your lips and make that “bleh” face when you realized you grabbed the “healthy kind” at the grocery store.
Yogurt’s tartness and tanginess pairs with the savory lamb so perfectly. As an added bonus, I threw in crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat and some lemon for more tartness.
Yogurt marinades also create a uniquely-textured and flavorful crust around proteins, regardless of marinating time.
So it's perfect for thin cutlets that cook quickly but don't have time for a deeply browned sear.
These different flavor palettes team together to give your taste buds the flavor they didn’t know they needed.
๐ช Instructions
- Season meat with salt and pepper.
- Combine yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Set aside ยฝ cup of the yogurt mixture in a small bowl for serving. Stir cumin, coriander, turmeric, and allspice into the remaining yogurt mixture.
- Coat all sides of chops evenly with spiced yogurt mixture (avoiding the bone). Let chops sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or cover and chill for up to 12 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Wipe off excess marinade from the chops, discarding any remaining yogurt marinade. Grill to desired doneness, about 3-4 minutes per side for medium. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with reserved yogurt mixture.
Even though this is a BBQ recipe, you can also sear them in a cast-iron pan. Cast irons pans are amazing (and heavy) and are well worth the money if you’re a lover of steak or lamb.
They’re perfect for anything you want to sear and then stick into the oven, creating a beautiful crust on the outside of your meat without overcooking the middle.
If you’re looking for those dark grill marks instead, well, you still can’t go wrong here!
๐ฝ How To Serve It
Pair these chops on top of mixed greens or with sides of white bean salad, chickpeas, or quinoa.
If you want to add even more flavors into the mix, mint is a great addition, which you can use as a garnish or chopped up and mixed into your sides.
I love making these in the summer because there is something about lamb and other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors that are fresh and bright.
If you live in the southern hemisphere, you're in luck. You can grill all year round!
- Egyptian Pasta, Rice, and Lentils Kushari Recipe
- Slow-Roasted Leg of Lamb with Beer
- Greek Lamb Meatball Pita
- Roasted Eggplant with Lamb
- Turkish Hummus Pita with Ground Lamb
Liked this recipe? Leave a โญโญโญโญโญ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Egyptian Grilled Lamb Chops with Spiced Yogurt
EQUIPMENT
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lamb chops
- 1 ยฝ cups plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ยผ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander, optional
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season lamb chops with salt and pepper.
- Combine yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Set aside ยฝ cup of the yogurt mixture in a small bowl for serving. Stir cumin, coriander, turmeric, and allspice into the remaining yogurt mixture.
- Coat all sides of chops evenly with spiced yogurt mixture (avoiding the bone). Let chops sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or cover and chill for up to 12 hours.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with reserved yogurt mixture.
Notes
- The chops may also be broiled in the oven for about 5 minutes per side for medium or pan-seared in oil.
acraftymix says
Oh my soul Jas. My mouth has not stopped watering, my laptop os a complete mess ๐ Us South African love braaing and this is sooo going on the coals this weekend. It sounds incredibly yummy
Jas says
Hi, my beautiful friend! I know you will like this recipe because it is sooo good! The marinade gets nicely caramelized and adds such a great flavor. Dang, now I'm drooling over my laptop, LOL.
richellaparham says
Okay, girl, I've pinned this, and I'm so eager to try this recipe! I've only had lamb chops a few times, and I loved them, but I had no idea how to go about preparing them at home. Thank you for these detailed instructions!
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I'm featuring you this week!
Jas says
Awe, Richella, what an honor! Thank you so much. These are great grilled or cooked in a skillet. Hope you like them! ๐
Miz Helen says
What a beautiful presentation for your delicious lamb chops! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
Miz Helen
Jas says
Thank you! Wishing you the same!
Ann says
This dish sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJs!
Jas says
Thank you, Ann!
Jann Olson says
I use to buy lamb chops, but I haven't for years. I need to and try this!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jas says
I hope you do, Jann! They're even great pan-fried. ๐
debanitaghosh says
Lovely lamb chops. Looks so appetizing. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!
Jas says
Thank you! ๐
passion fruit, paws and peonies says
We are really getting into Middle Eastern flavours. Lamb is one of our favourite meats too, so this is a great recipe for us! xx Maria
Jas says
Awesome! Love that you're exploring cuisines. I know you'll enjoy this recipe. ๐
cookingwithauntjuju.com says
I love lamb and many in my family don't care for it. I enjoy it all different kinds of ways; grilled kebabs with tzatziki sauce, leg of lamb or lamb chops like these. A special dinner in my eyes (and tummy) - looks like a great recipe and styled nice too! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday #244.
Jas says
More for you, right? ๐ Thank you, Judi!
Ron says
We love our lamb over this way and the chop is the best. I've used a similar method for chicken, but not tried it with lamb. Looks incredible and a dish we must try.
Jas says
Oh yes, chicken or veal marinated in spiced yogurt or soft cheese (like cream cheese) thinned with white wine and seasoned then grilled is mouth-watering! I'm drooling here, ha!