Grilled Lollipop Lamb Chops with Mediterranean Marinade

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Lollipop Lamb Chops are one of our favorite meats to prepare on the grill. The char from the grill and the simple lemon, garlic and mint marinade make these Mediterranean lamb lollipops incredibly flavorful. They can be an impressive appetizer or a scrumptious main course when served alongside Grilled Eggplant, Italian Green Bean Salad with Potatoes or Tomato and Cucumber Salad.

Grilled lollipop lambchops on a silver plate.

Grilled Lollipop Lamb Chops make a delicious and quick dinner, especially served with Nonna’s Stuffed Artichokes. This Mediterranean-style marinade was my father’s favorite way to season lamb. The marinade is simple and tasty, complementing the flavor of this tender cut of meat. He would even use a few branches of mint leaves from the garden to brush the marinade on the chops while they were cooking. 

We are a family of true meat lovers and we cook it all different ways. During the summer, we especially enjoy grilling juicy Mediterranean Lamb BurgersChicken Legs with a Savory RubLemony Grilled Pork Tenderloin, and Honey Garlic Shrimp.

What Cut of Meat is a Lollipop Lamb Chop?

A raw rack of lamb on a white plate.

Lollipop lamb chops are single-rib chops (or double chops) off of a rack of lamb. They are called “lollipops” because they resemble a lollipop with a round nub of tender meat on the top and a long bone on the bottom that you can use as a handle to hold the chop.

This easy-to-follow video from Ostrich Farms will show you how to cut between the rib bone on the rack of lamb to create individual lamb chops with ease.  You can also ask your butcher to cut them for you.  

Removing the extra fat below the nub of meat will expose more of the bone, creating a more elegant presentation. 

What Temperature Should Lamb Be Cooked to?

We eat a lot of lamb, and I have found that regardless of the cooking method used, the key to a delicious lamb recipe is cooking it to the proper internal temperature. For me, medium-rare lamb chops are ideal. However, everyone needs to cook them to their own taste. 

The best way to ensure your lamb chops are cooked to perfection and have the most flavor is to use a digital meat thermometer or an instant read thermometer. Below is a guide to help you cook the lamb to your desired doneness:
Rare: 120°
Medium Rare: 125°
Medium: 135°
Medium Well: 145°
Well done: 150°

Let the lamb rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the grill. Keep in mind that meat will continue to cook once you remove it from the heat. You can expect the final temperature to be approximately 5-10° higher after the resting period.

For the best flavor, I would not recommend cooking the lamb above 150°F, as it may become dry.

Simple ingredients

Grilled lollipop lamb chops ingredients.
  • Whole Rack of Lamb: A rack of lamb typically comes with eight rib chops. To make individual chops, cut between the rib bones with a sharp knife.  
  • Fresh Herbs: You will need fresh Mint, Parsley, and Oregano. If you want to substitute dried herbs for fresh ones, simply cut the amount you use in half.

How to Make Mediterranean-Style Grilled Lamb Rib Chops

Follow these easy step-by-step instructions!

A glass bowl with a lemon and herb marinade next to a dish of raw lamb rib chops and a glass baking dish.

Combine all the ingredients, except the lamb in a small bowl.

8 lamb rib chops in a glass baking dish covered in a lemon and herb marinade.

Pat the lamb dry with a paper towel. Lay the lamb chops out in a glass or plastic dish and pour the marinade on top. Let the chops marinade in the refrigerator for at least two hours and up to 4 hours.

Marinated lamb chops on a hot grill.

Grill for 2-3 minutes per side for rare or 5 minutes per side for medium. Watch the chops carefully while cooking as they may flare up.

Lamb chops on a grill with grill marks.

Don’t forget to let the lamb rest for a few minutes so that the juices have time to redistribute. Then go ahead and enjoy your finger-licking good lamb chops!

2 grilled lollipop lamb chops with herbs on them next to a slice of lemon.

Serving Suggestions

Lamb is very versatile and it can be enjoyed any time of year. It is perfect for a summer barbecue paired with a citrusy Sicilian Fennel and Orange Salad or a refreshing Watermelon, Tomato Salad with Balsamic and Feta. These lamb chops are also delicious when served with Easy to Make Rosemary Sweet Potatoes or Simple Italian Scalloped Potatoes for a dinner worthy of a special occasion.

FAQ’s

What internal temperature should Lamb be cooked to?

For me, medium-rare lamb chops are ideal. But everyone needs to cook it to their liking. Use a digital meat thermometer or an instant-read thermometer for best results. Below is a guide to help you cook the lamb to your desired doneness:
Rare: 120°
Medium Rare: 125°
Medium: 135°
Medium Well: 145°
Well done: 150°
Let the lamb rest for 5 minutes or so when you take it off the grill. Keep in mind that meat will continue to cook once you remove if from the heat. You can count on the final temperature to be about 5° higher after the resting period. For the best flavor, I would not recommend going above 150° or the lamb may be dry.

What is the best way to prepare lamb rib chops?

Because lamb chops are much smaller than thicker chops such as those from beef or pork, they will cook much faster. Typically, it is best to season them and sear them over high heat. I find that cooking them in a cast iron skillet or a hot grill is the best way to draw out the most flavor from this cut of meat while giving it a good sear to hold in the juices.

How many lollipop lamb chops make a serving?

If you are serving these little gems as an appetizer, two individual chops per person is the ideal number. If this is going to be a main dish, three or four chops per person would be a nice portion.

Grilled lamb chops on a plate with mint and half a lemon.

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Grilled Lollipop Lamb Chops with Mediterranean Marinade

Enza Whiting
These incredibly tasty Grilled Lollipop Lamb Chops make an impressive appetizer or a scrumptious summer dinner.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinade 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Greek, Italian
Servings 8 pieces
Calories 432 kcal

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Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs Rack of Lamb
  • ½ cup Olive oil
  • ¼ cup Lemon juice
  • 2-3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Oregano dried
  • 2 tbsp Mint leaves fresh, chopped
  • 2 tbsp Parsley fresh, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp Black pepper ground

Instructions
 

  • Cut the rack of lamb into individual ribs by slicing between the ribs with a sharp knife. Place the ribs in a glass 2 inch deep dish.
  • Combine the rest of the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Pour the mixture over the lamb chops making sure to coat them on both sides. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
  • Set your grill heat to medium-high and cook the ribs for about 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare doneness or to desired temperature using a meat thermometer.
    Allow the chops to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. the

Notes

Internal temperature guide for lamb:
Rare: 120°F
Medium Rare: 125°F
Medium: 135°F
Medium Well: 145°F
Well done: 150°F
Cooking Tips
  • Take the lamb chops out of the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before cooking them.  Letting them come to room temperature before grilling will ensure that the meat cooks evenly throughout.  
  • Single chops are relatively thin cuts of meat.  They will cook quickly on a hot grill, so keep a close eye on them.
  • Don’t skip the rest before serving. This allows the juices time to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in tender, flavorful chops. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 432kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 12gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 339mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 142IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love lamb and tried your recipe. They were so succulent and full of flavor. Will definitely make them again soon!

  2. 5 stars
    So simple yet so delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe. Can’t wait to make it again!!

    1. Jocelyn I am so happy that you liked the lamb chops! I love them cooked this way! I can’t wait for spring to get here so we can start grilling again!

5 from 6 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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