Grill/Barbecue

Chimichurri Lamb Chops

May  4, 2012
4.6
5 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Prep time 15 minutes
  • Cook time 15 minutes
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

Lamb chops and the chimichurri sauce are quite simple to prepare and inexpensive, but incredibly special and delicious.

The chimichurri sauce is bursting with flavors and can be used as a salad dressing, drizzled over tomatoes or topped on fish, chicken or steak. Making extra and storing the rest in the fridge is a good way to go.

This chimichurri sauce was inspired by lemons&anchovies.com which is an amazing and fascinating food blog that you will have to check out! I changed the sauce a little because I can’t handle raw garlic and I love my lemon, but either way is suburb! All of her recipes and pictures are mouth watering good! —CoconutsandCardamom

Test Kitchen Notes

You can feel August coming in the waning weeks of July in DC. The endless waves of heat have left our collective bodies and brains soppy and languid, unready to turn on ovens, and some days, even chop a shallot. We read recipes from the comfort of bed, planning Thanksgiving, because who really wants to think about tonight’s dinner. Or we lay prone on an Adirondack chair, wondering vaguely why someone hasn’t proffered a gin rickey. Tans deepen, in spite of expensive French sunscreen. Mosquitos hatch, then buzz quietly around ankles. And still the red line fails to come.

What antidote do we have really, other than the grill?

If you’ve a partner, you can really whip up Chimichurri Lamb Chops in ten minutes, but I am going to stretch this to a mere 20, just so your chimichurri sauce can develop a few flavors. Do take your meat out, to get it room temperature, and get the grill going.

If you read the recipe closely, you will note that CoconutsandCardamom seems to be testing you to see if you’re paying attention. The writer speaks in the chopping instructions of parsley, though it is never mentioned in the ingredients. You will need about a cup, or whatever you have lying about. Ditto for red pepper flakes; just get those out and have them at the ready.

You start with the garlic simmering in some nice olive oil (I say nice because it will be added to your sauce but of course use what you have) but I would not do so over a medium heat unless you want some burned garlic in this, which you don’t. Just do a fast little simmer at a low heat while you chop your herbs.

This all goes into the food processor, herbs first, then the oil and vinegar and red pepper. I had never heard of montreal steak seasoning, but I put her in the Google and realized it was essentially some onion and pepper mix. So add some black pepper. Whatever. Mix the olive oil in slowly as you may not need a half cup; it really depends on your desired consistency but I used only ¼ cup and it was great.

As your (DELICIOUS!) chimichurri sauce sits around developing its thing, go ahead and salt and pepper those lamb chops and grill them, watching carefully not to overcook. With the grill at 400 degrees, cook for roughly two minutes per side for rib chops and three minutes per side for thicker loin chops. A hot grill will sear the outside while, if you are disciplined about cooking time, leaving the chops warm and pink inside.

Throw some veggies on there too, if you have them, or mix up some orzo. That’s it. Go fold your last load of laundry. —Jestei

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Lamb Chops
  • 6 lamb chops
  • 3 pinches sea salt and pepper
  • 3 pinches Montreal steak seasoning, to taste (optional)
  • Chimichurri Sauce adapted from LemonsandAnchovies.com
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint
  • 1/4 cup fresh oregano (optional, but we like it)
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 tablespoons tablespoons red wine vinegar (or Sherry or Rice Wine Vinegar)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes, more to taste
  • 2 pinches Salt, pepper and montreal steak seasoning, to taste
Directions
  1. To prepare the Chimichurri sauce first saute minced garlic in a little bit of olive oil (3 minutes on med. heat).
  2. Next combine the parsley, oregano, mint and sauted garlic and process in a food processor until just roughly chopped. Don’t over do it or it will turn into a puree.
  3. Add in the crushed red peppers, lemon juice and add the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste and Motreal Steak seasoning if using (optional).
  4. Stir in the olive oil and let sit so flavors can infuse.
  5. To prepare the lamb, season with salt, pepper and Montreal Steak Seasoning. Have at room temperature before cooking.
  6. If you have a grill- Preheat your grill to 400 degrees. If lamb chops are small, sear each side for only 1 – 1 1/2 minutes to leave the inside rare to medium-rare. If sauteing in a pan (pre-heat with olive oil and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side to leave inside medium rare. Some of my lamb chops were big so I did a full three minutes on each side.
  7. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing in to give the meat a chance to restore it’s juices!
  8. Serve with Chimichurri sauce. Enjoy the burst of flavors you are about to encounter!

See what other Food52ers are saying.

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25 Reviews

Rosa October 27, 2023
My son made this recipe and it was amazing!! He made mashed potatoes and grilled espárragos side dishes!! Delicious 😋
 
sorrybusyeating February 11, 2022
I must admit that this recipe was a little bit confusing. It said to only blend to a rough chop which made for a chunky sauce. Were we supposed to chop/blend again after adding the red pepper flakes, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice?
 
N V. September 28, 2018
Saved this a long time ago and just got around to it. We loved it. Used the last of the herbs in the garden for the sauce. Reduced the garlic to two cloves and then added more to taste. We love garlic, but not the burn of raw garlic that overpowers everything. Also, made my own Montreal Seasoning. That was a real star.
 
Ann B. April 2, 2018
We just didn't love this recipe. I think the texture and the flavors just didn't come together as we hoped.
 
sarah December 23, 2017
The author says she loves lemon. Well, this is certainly too lemony for me. Very bitter and sour. I would add the lemon little by little next time. Had to 'doctor' it to tone down the bitter.
 
Faith R. December 11, 2016
Just had these as a appetizer but also used a fresh Cranberry sauce a dab on each spot on combination. Served with red roasted salt and vinager potatoes. And a side of vegetable risotto
 
Paul B. April 30, 2016
Recommendations for accompanying side dishes?
 
Rosa October 27, 2023
My son made mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus 😋
 
Allison C. February 15, 2016
chop the cilantro up with the parsley.
 
Emily S. February 15, 2016
Thanks :) I guessed as much
 
Emily S. February 14, 2016
Where does the 1c. cilantro come into play??
 
Jan March 17, 2015
So, do we use the cilantro or not? Thanks
 
Allison C. September 10, 2013
skip the montreal seasoning. it doesn't need it.
 
petrini.elisa September 10, 2013
PLEASE give substitutions for commercial concoctions like montreal seasoning. surely there is a real world equivalent!
 
Chloe8 June 7, 2013
Lamb chops always brings the family together.
 
Grammymem April 30, 2013
Grandma Lu and I would like to know how long the chimichurri sauce will last in the refrigerator?
 
sl(i)m April 22, 2013
Just made this for a VERY happy family. Will use leftover sauce for scallops... Thanks for the inspiration!
 
DianneD March 24, 2013
What is Montreal Seasoning?
 
Jorge1145 May 22, 2013
I believe it is referring to this product:

http://www.mccormick.com/Spices-and-Flavors/Grill-Mates/Seasoning-Blends/Grill-Mates-Montreal-Steak-Seasoning
 
Foodiewithalife March 22, 2013
Chimichurri sets red meat on fire! Great idea as an accompaniment to lamb.

Christina
www.foodiewithalife.com

 
Rana A. March 22, 2013
I recently just started my own food blog and always love checking out other food blogs for inspiration. Love any dish with lamb! Lamb and chimichurri sounds heavenly!
 
Charles B. February 15, 2013
great chimichurri recipe!
 
Allison C. December 25, 2012
Had this for Xmas dinner - Excellent! Will definitely make again