Oven Lamb Chops

About This Oven Baked Lamb Chops Recipe

This recipe is easy to follow and can be used with several common lamb chop cuts, as noted below. The results will not disappoint.

But if you ever craved a thick, juicy and tender lamb chop without bones to cut around while enjoying it - the boneless sirloin cut is the answer. Center cut lamb sirloin chops are tender and meaty and typically weigh between 5 and 8 oz.

Ingredients You'll Need

This baked lamb chops recipe is very easy and of all the possible cuts of lamb it works particularly well with sirloin.

Sirloin chops are cut from the muscle connecting the lamb loin and the leg (sirloin).  They are meaty and tender, typically cut quite thick and do not contain a bone. 

If you cannot find sirloin chops (pictured below) you can use:

• lamb shoulder chops (blade or arm work equally well),
• lamb loin chops (the ones that look like mini T-bone steaks, they are small so budget two per person)
• rib chops - carved from a rack of lamb  

Besides the lamb chops you will need:

Salt & pepper - for seasoning

Olive oil - to sear the chops before transferring them to the oven

Lamb chops marinade - the ingredients will vary based on the type you choose, in this case I made the Dijon mustard dill marinade you see in the picture above with: Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, finely chopped dill and salt and pepper.

Equipment wise you will need an oven-safe skillet such as cast iron or stainless steel.  

TIP: You can impart a variety of flavors by switching the marinade every time you make lamb chops in the oven. Here are more Lamb Chop Marinade Recipes if you'd rather mix a different version.

How Long to Cook Lamb Chops in Oven?

You can either roast or bake lamb chops - the difference is simply in the temperature. Once you settle on temperature that determines how long you need to bake them. 

At 400 F you will be roasting the lamb chops - depending on their size and thickness - between 5-8 minutes.
At 375 F you will baking the lamb chops which will take a bit longer. Depending on their size and thickness in the vicinity of 8-12 minutes.  

Opinions vary as to which method yields better results. We usually go for roasting at 400 F.

How To Cook Lamb Chops in the Oven

• Prep the chops. We recommend that for this dish you do not trim the fat. As it melts away during cooking it adds a lot of flavor to the meat and contributes to the juicy results. Make a marinade and cover them completely, whether you are using a glass container with lid as shown below or a plastic bag. Refrigerate for 1 to 12 hours. Bring to room temperature before cooking.
• Sear. Scrape off the marinade from the chops and pat them dry. Season them lightly with salt and pepper. While your oven is warming up brown the seasoned lamb chops. Over medium-high heat heat a frying pan (cast iron skillet works great) for 2-3 minutes and add the olive oil. Sear the lamb chops for 1-2 minutes on each side. 
• Bake. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Cook to desired doneness - measure the temperature in the thickest part of the chops. Smaller chops will require less time to reach 135 F. Above 140 F the meat will begin to get tough and transition into medium-well and well done. 

The lamb chops are cooked medium when the internal temperature registers 135 F. For medium-rare look for internal temperature of 125 F.

• Rest. Place the cooked chops onto a platter and cover them loosely with foil. Let them rest for 5-6  minutes.

How Many Lamb Chops Per Person?

For sirloin lamb chops you can budget one per person, two if they are a voracious meat lover.

Typically you need one lamb shoulder chop per person and for lamb loin chops two or three. Similarly, for lamb rib chops budget about three per person. 

Dijon Mustard Dill Sauce for Lamb

While the lamb chops are resting you can whip up this easy mustard dill sauce. The only ingredients you need are: cream, Dijon mustard, honey and dill.

1. To the same skillet where you cooked the lamb chops (over medium heat) add the cream, the mustard and the honey. 
2. Stir with a wooden spoon to mix. Simmer for 4-5 minutes.
3. Take away from the heat, stir in the dill and transfer the sauce to a serving bowl. 

Alternatively you can place the rested lamb chops in the skillet with the mustard dill sauce and serve family style.

• Serve the lamb chops with buttery garlic green beans, beer potatoes, salads, polenta cakes, rice pilafs, snow peas - anything you'd like.
• Or if you feel like putting together some gyros - prepare all the fixings (this yogurt dill sauce works great to that end) and warm up the pita bread in advance - then thinly slice the lamb chops after they have rested.
• Garnish with fresh dill, fresh rosemary or garlic chives

Beer Pairing Suggestions for Baked Lamb Chops

Cooking lamb chops in the oven is its own reward but when you 

• The rich lamb meat and the Dijon dill sauce make great partners to strong and flavorful Belgian ales such as dubbels or Belgian strong golden ales as well as lagers like Doppelbock. 
• For lighter options we like saisons or German lagers like Dunkel and Pilsner.