Grilled Lamb Loin Chops with Béarnaise Sauce Recipe (2024)

Published March 6, 2018. Last updated December 12, 2023 by Judy Purcell 44 Comments

Grilled Lamb Loin Chops with BearnaiseSauce turns a routine Saturday evening into a special occasion every time.

Bits of rosemary and garlic cling to the lamb chops creating a fragrant, succulent lamb dinnercradled in herbaceous Bearnaise perfection.

Grilled lamb is also our family’s go-to forEaster dinner, even if it’s snowing. One of the reasons I love grilling lamb chops for Easter and holiday dinnersis how impressive it turns out with minimal effort.

Why Choose Lamb Loin Chops?

Loin chops are from thelamb‘s back, just behind the ribs. These chops are cut into 2-inch thick chops and look like tiny t-bone steaks. It is a favorite for the grill because it is tender, flavorful, and cooks quickly.

Loin chops are especially appealing to those ordinarily put off by the robust flavor of leg or shoulder portions. The loin area along the back doesn’t get worked like the heavier muscles which results in very tender meat and more mild lamb flavor.

TIP: Plan 2 loin chops per person for a dinner portion and for large appetites, like teenage boys, figure 3 each.

Garlic and Rosemary Marinade for Lamb Chops

Lamb is unique in flavor all on its own, so seasonings or marinades with complementary herbs are preferable to heavierbarbecue-type rubs. Our garlic and rosemary marinade is mixed with extra-virgin olive oil and seasoned simply with salt and pepper.

• Salt needs 40 minutes to work and penetrate, so any rubs or dry seasoning with salt should be allowed to rest on the meat for at least 40 minutes, up to overnight.
• Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, savory, chives, cilantro, and sage are all excellent choices to complement and enhance lamb loin chops.

Lean chops and steaks alsobenefit from luxurious sauces like the Bearnaise Sauce Recipe below or our savory .

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Tips for Grilling Lamb Loin Chops

The dry heat of the grill or oven creates amazing browned edges and renders the layer of outer fat in just minutes. Ideally, you’ll want to treat loin chops like a high-end steak and cook only to medium-rare for the best texture and flavor.

• Treat lamb chops like a steak. Loin chops are like mini T-bone steaks—on one side of the chop is the lamb loin, on the other side is the fillet. The fillet side is smaller and will cook quickly, so point that side out away from the hottest part of the fire.
• Trim any thicker layer of exterior fat 1/8-inch before grilling to reduce flair-ups.
• Cook to medium-rare (between 125-135 degrees), and use an instant-read thermometer to test for doneness.
• Rest the cooked chops 10 minutes, tented with foil, before serving.

Grilled Lamb Chops Step by Step

1. Mince the garlic and roasemary.
2. Spread over the lamb with olive oil, salt, and pepper; Marinate 4-6 hours with salt, pepper, fresh garlic and rosemary, and drizzled with olive oil.
3. Grill lamb over direct heat for 2 minutes on each side to sear, 8 to 10 minutes total, depending on size.

4. Check internal temperature; remove from heat when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the meat is 125-130° for medium-rare, 135° for medium.

5. Rest for 10 minutes, tented with foil.

How to Source the Best Lamb

Just like the beef, pork, and chicken we buy, we look for meat raised without growth hormones or antibiotics from producers who make animal welfare a priority. New Zealand, Australia, and the United States are the major players when it comes to buying lamb in U.S. supermarkets.

Here in the U.S. and Australia, hormones and antibiotics are approved to be used in lambs for slaughter, though the use is less widespread in Australia.New Zealand does not permit hormone use in lambs, and antibiotics are only allowed therapeutically (to treat sickness), which is something I’ll keep in mind when shopping.

There are numerous lamb producers in Australia and the U.S. (especially local farmers) who take great care to graze their livestock naturally and do not use hormones or antibiotics for growth stimulants. It’s worth the effort to read the label and ask the question.

Side Dishes You’ll Love Serving with Lamb

• Tuscan Broccoli
• Vegetable Tian
• Grilled Asparagus
• Cauliflower Mash
• Hazelnut Green Beans
• Fennel-Apple Slaw
• Classic Caesar Salad
• Broccoli Cauliflower Gratin

Bearnaise sauce is a classic sauce for grilled or roasted meats with the distinct flavor of shallot and fresh tarragon. This rich, buttery sauce complements lamb and grilled vegetables beautifully and you’ll love this no-cook version.

Bearnaise can be made in advance and kept warm. Set it in a hot water bath until ready to serve, or refrigerate and gently reheat before serving. Note: Raw egg is not recommended for infants, the elderly, and pregnant women. To minimize the risk of salmonella, use pasteurized eggs. Alternatively, the sauce can be gently heated.