No matter how passionate you are about food or cooking, it’s not uncommon to find yourself trapped in a culinary rut. At my home, there have been numerous instances when I’m stuck at dinnertime, desperately trying to conceive a novel way to cook chicken breasts for the fifth consecutive night or experimenting with new ways to jazz up grass-fed beef.
So frequently, we confine ourselves to the same familiar types of meat. However, it’s high time to expand your culinary horizons and incorporate lamb into your family’s menu. These grilled lamb chops present the ideal opportunity to do just that.
Is Lamb Healthy?
Despite being incredibly delicious, lamb and lamb chops do not enjoy the same level of popularity in the United States as they do in other nations such as Greece or Turkey. I sincerely hope this changes and that lamb becomes more commonplace here because it can be highly beneficial for our health. As a type of red meat, it is rich in zinc and iron, much like beef.
In fact, one ounce of lamb contains approximately the same number of calories as grass-fed beef but even more of the omega-3 fatty acids that are often lacking in our diets.
Lamb is exceptional in strengthening your immune system, thanks to its abundant levels of zinc. This mineral is indispensable for assisting in balancing hormones, reducing inflammation, combating free-radical damage, and even slowing down the aging process.
And talk about protein! Lamb is brimming with it and encompasses all the essential amino acids that we are supposed to obtain through our food intake since our bodies are unable to produce them. If you lead an active lifestyle, ensuring an adequate intake of protein becomes even more crucial, and this lamb chops recipe is a delectable choice.
Nutrition Facts
Lamb chops are an outstanding source of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B12. This is one of the most prevalent deficiencies, yet it is of paramount importance to our overall well-being.
You’ll also notice that we’ll be using avocado oil here instead of a more familiar oil like olive oil. While olive oil offers numerous health benefits, it is not the best option for cooking at high temperatures. I prefer to utilize avocado oil in such instances as it has a higher smoke point.
And if you’re concerned about the meat drying out, there’s no need. Firstly, the lamb will be tender and succulent thanks to the lamb chop marinade in which we’ll leave it for two hours. Then, we’ll lightly baste the chops while grilling to keep them moist and juicy.
How to Make Grilled Lamb Chops
But how exactly do you cook lamb chops? Let’s commence. Begin by adding all the ingredients, excluding the lamb chops, to a large bowl.
Mix them thoroughly. Then introduce the meat to the lamb chop marinade.
Stash the lamb chops in the refrigerator to marinate for at least two hours. Allow the lamb chops to reach room temperature before grilling. Keep the marinade aside.
Once the grill is piping hot, place the lamb chops on it.
As the lamb chops are cooking, spoon the reserved marinade over the meat. This will ensure the lamb remains moist and flavorful!
Grill the lamb chops for approximately 4–6 minutes on each side to achieve a medium-rare doneness. I adore serving these grilled lamb chops accompanied by roasted potatoes and vegetables on the side. It pairs perfectly with tzatziki sauce.
Mediterranean Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe
Try these other scrumptious and healthy Mediterranean meat dishes:
– Greek Chicken Souvlaki
– Mediterranean Chicken
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Author: Dr. Josh Axe
Total Time: 2 hrs 20 min
Yield: 3 1x
Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Lamb is among the healthiest meats we can consume, but most of us prepare it without sufficient flavor enhancers. This recipe employs a Mediterranean marinade, imparting an exquisite flavor and making the meat exceptionally tender and juicy.
Ingredients
– 6 grass-fed lamb chops
– 4 tablespoons avocado oil
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 6 cloves garlic, minced
– ½ teaspoon fresh thyme
– 2 teaspoon fresh rosemary
– 5 basil leaves, chopped
– ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
– ½ teaspoon cinnamon
– ½ teaspoon coriander
– Sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Mix together avocado oil, lemon, garlic, thyme, rosemary, basil, nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate the lamb for at least 2 hours in the fridge.
3. Allow the lamb to come to room temperature before grilling.
4. Once the grill is heated, place the lamb chops onto the grill.
5. Carefully spoon the marinade over the lamb to keep it moist while grilling.
6. Grill the lamb chops for about 4–6 minutes on each side for medium-rare doneness.
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 12 min
Category: Main Dishes
Method: Grill or Stovetop
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
Serving Size: 2 lamb chops
Calories: 299
Sugar: 0.3g
Sodium: 420mg (29% DV)
Fat: 24.6g
Saturated Fat: 8.1g
Unsaturated Fat: 15.9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 3.3g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 25.4g
Cholesterol: 72mg
