Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (2024)

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These grilled lamb chops are simply prepared and topped with squeeze of lemon and a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumbers and kalamata olives. This is an easy, healthy meal that is impressive enough to serve to guests. 266 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (1)

Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe with Tomato, Cucumber & Kalamata Olive Salad

Yes, I realize it was just a few days ago that I posted 15 Healthy Grilling Recipes and then a vegetarian pasta salad (with plenty of variations) just a couple of days later. I realize I'm swaying between extremes, like a bungi-jumper standing on a precipice, trying to decide if he's completely nuts or wickedly cool (been there - but that's a story for another day). Hey, I love my vegetarian meals, but sometimes a girl needs a good piece of red meat to satisfy her carnivorous tendencies. As far as red meat goes, lamb is a good option when it comes to making healthy choices. Okay, it's not quite as lean as the bison I used in , but it has several things going for it.

To start, lamb chops have a wonderful mild and almost sweet flavor. When cooked properly (medium-rare, in my book), it is tender and juicy. As far as the fat content, lamb has less marbling (fat running through it) than beef. So, when you trim any extra fat from the outside of the chops, you end up with a pretty lean piece of meat. One 3-ounce serving of lamb weighs in at about 170 calories. That's a small caloric price to pay for the benefit of ingesting high levels of iron and zinc.

Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (2)

As with any meat, one of the keys to serving a healthy meal lies in the preparation. If you cook with copious amounts of butter or oil, or douse the meat in rich sauces, the leanest cut of meat turns into a plate booby-trapped with saturated fat and mega calories. Keeping things simple not only reduces the fat and calorie count but it also lets the natural flavor of the meat take center stage.

This lamb is simply seasoned with salt, pepper and dried oregano, then cooked quickly on the grill. Once it comes off the grill, it is brightened with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and topped with a fresh salad of tomato, cucumber and kalamata olives. Season, grill, serve...that's my kind of meal.

The whole meal came together in less than half an hour and received rave reviews from my family. As for me - well, I picked up those lamb chop bones and sucked off every last bit of flavor. I couldn't bear to waste a morsel.

Serve these lamb chops with Lemon Orzo Salad or Greek Rice Salad.

The recipe:

The lamb:
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Season both sides of the lamb chops with salt, pepper and oregano. Gently press the seasonings into the meat.

Place the lamb chops on the grill and cook until medium rare, about 4 minutes per side.

Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (3)

Place the lamb chops on a plate and squeeze the lemon over the chops.

The salad:
In a medium bowl, stir together the tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, lemon juice, olive oil and mint.

Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (4)

Place 2 lamb chops on each plate and top with the tomato salad. Serve.

Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (5)

Printable Recipe

Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (6)

Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe

These grilled lamb chops are simply prepared and topped with squeeze of lemon and a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumbers and kalamata olives. This is an easy, healthy meal that is impressive enough to serve to guests.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: Greek

Keyword: Beef and Lamb Recipes, Grilling Recipes

Prep Time: 12 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 266.4kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

The Lamb:

  • 8 3 ounce each lamb chops (about 1 to 1 ½ inches thick)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 lemon

The Salad:

Instructions

The Lamb:

  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

  • Season both sides of the lamb chops with salt, pepper and oregano. Gently press the seasonings into the meat.

  • Place the lamb chops on the grill and cook until medium rare, about 4 minutes per side.

  • Place the lamb chops on a plate and squeeze the lemon over the chops.

The Salad:

  • In a medium bowl, stir together the tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, lemon juice, olive oil and mint.

  • Place 2 lamb chops on each plate and top with the tomato salad. Serve.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points XX (Freestyle SmartPoints)

Nutrition

Serving: 2Chops + Topping | Calories: 266.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.8g | Protein: 35.2g | Fat: 11.6g | Saturated Fat: 3.5g | Cholesterol: 108.9mg | Sodium: 371.2mg | Potassium: 622.3mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 1.4g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Bush's Beans, and the beans were provided by them at no cost to me.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Bush's Beans, and the beans were provided by them at no cost to me. All opinions are my own. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (7)

Greek Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak lamb chops in milk? ›

Marinating the lamb in milk will draw out and settle some of its less pleasant smells and flavors. This method of milk soaking is also used for other meats with overwhelmingly gamey flavors, such as venison.

Is it better to grill or pan fry lamb chops? ›

Grilling lamb chops can impart a smoky flavor and create a desirable charred exterior, making it a healthier option as fat drips away from the meat. Frying, especially pan-frying, offers more control over cooking, enriches flavor with fats, and is convenient for indoor cooking.

Should you sear lamb before grilling? ›

Yes, searing lamb chops before grilling enhances flavor and texture by creating a caramelized crust. Grilled Lamb Chops with Ammoglio Sauce is the perfect dish to enjoy once the temperatures warm up.

How long do you grill lamb chops on a gas grill? ›

Grilling lamb chops is a relatively quick process: Simply grill each side for about 3 minutes each for medium doneness. You can grill them longer if you prefer your meat well done. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 130 degrees F.

What is the best thing to season lamb with? ›

Fresh rosemary, fresh garlic, lemon zest, black pepper, and salt are simple but amazing flavors that pair amazingly with the lamb! Each of these ingredients adds its unique warmth and depth to enhance the flavor of the dish.

What makes lamb taste gamey? ›

That “gamey” taste, for lack of a better term, lies in the meat's fat, and is a result of the animal's diet. What it all comes down to is a particular type of fatty acid that lambs have and beef and chicken don't. It's called branched-chain fatty acid. This is something that humans can detect at really low levels.

Should you rinse lamb chops before cooking? ›

There is no need to rinse raw lamb before cooking because this creates a cross-contamination hazard. Any bacteria which might be present would be destroyed by cooking.

Should lamb chops be room temperature before grilling? ›

Salt lamb on both sides and let sit at room temperature for 40 minutes while you prepare the grill. Light 1 chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange coals on one side of charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes.

Are lamb chops healthier than steak? ›

And while many of the nutrients are pretty similar between the two animal proteins, lamb may be richer in omega-3 fatty acids. In either case: both kinds of meat offer you an abundance of protein, vitamin B12, zinc, and choline.

Do you close the grill when cooking lamb chops? ›

Place the lamb chops directly on the grill grates. Insert the probe horizontally into one of the chops, avoiding the bone. Close the lid and cook until the internal temperature reaches 135℉ for medium-rare, 4-6 minutes per side.

How do you know when lamb chops are done on the grill? ›

While your lamb chops are still on the grill, insert the digital meat thermometer into the thickest part to check the internal temperature. When they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, your lamb chops are done. Most lamb chops will reach doneness in 7 minutes total.

Do you have to marinate lamb before cooking? ›

Follow this tip: Since leg of lamb is such a tender cut, it doesn't really need much marinating. Instead, opt for adding more flavor with garlic, spices, and fresh herbs.

Why are my lamb chops tough? ›

Lamb meat is known for a low risk of parasites so there's no problem eating the meat rare. Therefore, the meat doesn't have to be cooked well-done. Raw lamb meat is red but when cooked, it gradually becomes a pale pink color. But if the meat is overcooked, it will become tough.

Should you marinate lamb chops? ›

In our opinion, any cut of meat will be exponentially more juicy, tender, and flavorful if you take the time to let them marinate. You can easily make delicious lamb chops without using a marinade, but adding that moisture and aromatics found in a lamb marinade will bring them to the next level.

What does soaking meat in milk do? ›

The calcium-rich properties of milk react with enzymes in the meat to gently soften the proteins. Whole milk (not reduced fat), buttermilk, and yogurt all get the job done – with a special nod to buttermilk and yogurt for their optimal tenderizing acidity levels.

How long should lambs be on milk? ›

Lambs will begin to nibble on solid food soon after birth and will be fully eating grass by 4- 6 weeks old. Hard feed such as Sheep Nuts TM or Multifeed TM nuts can also be fed. Weaning can begin as early as 6 weeks of age but most lambs benefit from milk feeding up to 12-14 weeks of age.

What do you soak lamb in to get rid of gamey taste? ›

Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water. Use enough solution to cover the game completely. Discard the solution after soaking. You can also marinate game to give it a savory flavor or to tenderize it.

Should lambs liver be soaked in milk before cooking? ›

Milk. While we are used to soaking liver in vinegar or lemon to get rid of the bad smell and kill any remaining toxins, American and European chefs advise to soak liver in milk. Yes, that's right: Milk! They claim that in addition to getting rid of toxins that usually are present in raw liver, milk helps tenderizing it ...

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