Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce

Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce

It’s been ages since I’ve made lamb chops.  I use to make them at least twice a month. Then one day my family told me they really weren’t fond of them and preferred I make something else – that was years ago. So the other night I decided to make Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce.  It was refreshing, delicious, and pleased all who indulged! 

Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce

Most often I go to Whole Foods now for all my grocery shopping, except for paper goods, etc.  I feel confident with the quality of the food I purchase and how it’s been farmed.

When I went to pick up some lamb chops they only had the rack of lamb left, which typically comes with 8 on the bone for a single rack.  Since I wanted to grill it I had the butcher slice them into individual portions.  I could have left it whole, but wanted a quick cooking method – 1 1/2 – 2 minutes tops, per side.

Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce

Whole Foods had New Zealand lamb which I’ve read is apparently the best lamb you can get, based on their farming practices.

New Zealand lamb is grazed on some of the world’s most fertile pastures, and is 100% grass fed and grass-finished by family farmers and ranchers. The temperate, subtropical climate, ample rainfall, and emerald-green pastures produce lamb with classic flavor. A nature-intended stress-free environment creates exceptionally succulent, tender meat with exceptional tenderness and petite in comparison to American lamb.

Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce

New Zealand lamb are raised humanely, and never administered growth hormones or animal bi-products.  Antibiotic use is strictly regulated and only allowed to treat illness, which rarely occurs. Pasture raising on a nature-intended diet with space to roam greatly improves the health of lambs. Artificial growth stimulants and hormones are never administered.

Eating lamb also has quite a few benefits when you consider it to be meat:

  • Grass Fed Lamb is naturally lean and lower in fat and cholesterol compared to other grain red meats.
  • Grass fed lamb is higher in Omega 3.
  • It’s a healthy source of lean protein, minerals and B & E vitamins, which has been proven to aid in living a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce

When my kids were little I found myself serving lamb with mint jelly.  I figured since they loved jams and jellies it was a sure way to get them to enjoy it.  Plus I liked it that way.  I still like the flavor of mint with lamb, it tastes so refreshing and light that way.

I decided to create a mint sauce similar to when I made the Grilled Vegetables & Chorizo Salad with Chimichurri.

Twenty years ago I feel like dishes weren’t made with fresh ingredients as they are today. Creating dishes with fresh ingredients not only leaves your body feeling better, but tastes better too!

Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce

All that’s needed are a few farm fresh ingredients tossed into a food processor or mini processor, give them a whiz to puree, and it’s done.  It’s that simple!

If you’ve never tried lamb, this recipe is super simple with stellar results! If you’ve had lamb before I know you’ll love this.

By the way, Whole Foods/Amazon just slashed their prices yesterday so you may be able to get an even better value now, while still getting the same excellent quality!

Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce

Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce

For a healthier alternative to meat with a refreshing flavor try these Grilled Lamb Chops with Fresh Mint Sauce.

Ingredients:

8 Lamb Chops or Rack of Lamb, sliced individually
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • Kosher Salt
  • Fresh Ground Pepper
Mint Sauce:
  • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 5 Mint leaves
  • garlic cloves
  • 1/2  large shallot
  • ½ Pablano pepper, seeded, chopped 
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • Salt & Fresh ground Pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Set grill on medium heat.
  2. Rub olive oil over both sides of lamb chops and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper. Set aside.
  3. Prepare Mint Sauce: Place all ingredients for sauce into a food processor and puree'. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Set aside.
  4. Place lamb chops on grill and cook 2 minutes per side.  They should be rare for the best flavor with a crisp exterior.
  5. Remove from grill and drizzle Mint Sauce over Lamb Chops, or serve sauce on the side at room temperature.
Enjoy!

Hungry for more? Savor these!

Perfect Herb Crusted Roast Prime Rib of Beef

Freekeh Tabbouleh with Lime Marinated Sirloin Over Flatbread

Lettuce Wrapped Tacos with Beef Tenderloin

Products I used to make this dish:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

12 comments

  1. This is a dream for lamb lovers!

  2. Yummy Vicki! I think a fresh herb sauce makes everything taste so much better. I love the bright green, vibrant color too! I haven’t cooked lamb very often, probably for the same reasons you stopped. No one seemed to love it but every time I’ve had it at a restaurant I really have enjoyed it! You’ve inspired me to try it again!

  3. Love lamb — might be my favorite red meat. Haven’t made lamb chops in ages and ages — yours look terrific. And yes, you’ve made me hungry for them! 🙂

    • I hadn’t made them in ages either and it was such a nice treat. Now that the kids are grown they like them. Amazing how suddenly foods they disliked so much as children suddenly taste incredible! Go figure!!! Hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it.

  4. I love the recipe! Thanks for sharing:)

    irinahayer.com

  5. Wow Vicki – these look fantastic.  It’s been ages since I’ve had them myself.  Lovely recipe and completely mouthwatering!

    • Thank you! I know it’s been a while since I’ve made lamb as well. It was a welcome treat and one I’ll be sure to start making more often again. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try. It’s very easy!

  6. Oh that mint sauce…hand me a big spoon!

  7. What a beautiful presentation! We love lamb and mint is a really nice complement. Great sauce and awesome dish!

Leave a Comment »