Lamb Chops with Garlic and Olive Oil

When you want to make a special dinner for guests and spend as little time preparing it as possible, consider this fast, easy lamb rib chop recipe. Called “lamb lollipops” when frenched, rib chops are pricey but add an element of effortless wow to the table. They also cook quickly on the grill or under the broiler, meaning you can sear up your entire main course in just 10 minutes. The bone and fat impart their own delicious flavor, so tossing and basting the chops in a simple garlicky oil is all the seasoning you need. If you like an assertive, earthy, gamey flavor, consider the Australian grass-fed stuff. For a milder, more buttery meat, American grain-finished chops are the ultimate splurge.

Rib chops versus loin chops

This simple recipe calls for lamb rib chops, which are taken from, you guessed it, the rib cage. These attractive pieces each have a small, tender “eye” of meat along with a long piece of bone. They’re small, though, so you’ll need two 1-inch-thick chops per serving. You can also try loin chops, which come from a bit farther back on the lamb. They resemble miniature T-bone steaks and are leaner, meatier, and slightly less expensive than rib chops. Both are tender and grill up well, thanks to bones that help protect the meat from drying out quickly.

Variations with herbs

Coat the chops with just the garlic and oil called for, or try one of our herb variations: 

• Add four teaspoons of chopped fresh rosemary to the garlic and oil mixture.
• Add three tablespoons of chopped fresh sage and an additional tablespoon olive oil to the garlic and oil mixture.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

• When grilling quick-cooking cuts such as chops, turn them only once. If you leave the meat alone for a few minutes, it will have a chance to form a nice brown crust. If you move it too soon, the meat will stick, and you’ll pull off the incipient crust. Once that brown edge forms, the meat is easy to move.
• When you do turn the meat, use tongs or a spatula. Never poke a fork into the meat or the precious juices will escape.

Suggested pairing

Grilled lamb chops are the perfect foil for the rich cassis and herbal flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon. Your best bet here is a so-called super Tuscan. Though the most famous wines, such as Sassicaia and Tignanello, fetch astronomical prices, many excellent values can also be found.