Marinated Greek Lamb Chops (Cast Iron or Grilled)

These juicy Greek lamb chops are marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon, and oregano, then seared hot in a cast iron skillet or over the grill. The result is tender, golden-browned lamb full of vibrant Mediterranean flavour.

Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or planning a Greek-themed dinner party, these lamb chops make an impressive yet approachable centerpiece. Serve them family-style alongside blistered peppers and your favourite Greek salads, crispy Saganaki, and a dessert to create a feast that brings everyone to the table.

Ingredients

For the Lamb Chops

• Lamb loin chops (1 to 1.5 inches thick)
• Olive oil, divided
• Garlic
• Fresh oregano
• Lemons
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• Optional: flaky sea salt, for finishing

For the Blistered Mini Peppers

• Mini sweet peppers
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Flaky sea salt or kosher salt
• Optional: lemon juice or dried oregano

See recipe card for exact quantities.

Instructions

Marinate the Lamb Chops

In a large bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons olive oil, 3 teaspoons garlic, half the oregano, half the lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the lamb chops and coat well. Cover and marinate at room temperature for 20-30 minutes max.

Tip: Because the marinade contains lemon juice, don't go beyond 30 minutes or the acid may start to toughen the meat. To prep ahead, mix the marinade and store separately, then combine just before marinating.

Make the Finishing Sauce

In a small jar or bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, the remaining garlic, oregano, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Set aside.

Preheat Your Cooking Surface

Heat a cast iron pan (in an Ooni oven, on the stovetop, or over a grill) or preheat your grill to medium-high heat. You want it hot, around 475-500°F (245-260°C) for a good sear.

Prep and Blister the Mini Peppers

Rinse and dry the peppers thoroughly. Leave them whole with stems on. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a small pinch of salt.

Place peppers directly onto the grill or into the hot cast-iron pan. Cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until blistered and slightly collapsed. Set aside.

Sear the Lamb Chops

Place the lamb chops upright on the fat cap side in the hot skillet (or on the grill) and sear for 1 minute to render some fat. Then lay them flat and cook for 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare, flipping once.

Rest and Serve

Transfer the lamb to a plate and rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with the lemon-oregano finishing sauce. Serve with blistered mini peppers and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

Lamb Internal Temperature Guide

Recommendation: For lamb chops, I prefer my lamb at 126-127°F, but most chefs and home cooks prefer medium-rare (130-135°F) for the best texture and flavour. Because lamb is a tender cut with good marbling, this doneness keeps it juicy and flavourful.

Tips & Substitutions

• Lamb Options: Lamb rib chops work great too, just adjust the cooking time if thinner.
• Grill Pan Alternative: Use a stovetop grill pan if outdoor grilling isn't an option.
• No fresh oregano? Use dried, but cut the amount by one-third.
• Extra sauce: Double the finishing sauce and drizzle it over roasted potatoes or grilled bread.

Host a Greek Dinner Party

Bring the flavours of a traditional Greek taverna home by planning a small feast around these lamb chops. Here's how to round out the menu:

Appetizer:

Greek Fried Cheese🔥Saganaki with Kefalotyri Cheese

Start the night with a sizzling skillet of pan-fried Kefalotyri cheese. Crisp on the outside, gooey in the middle, and always a crowd-pleaser, especially when flamed tableside. OPA!

Check out this recipe

Salads:

Greek Village Salad (Horiatiki)

A fresh mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, olives, and slabs of feta cheese, dressed simply with olive oil and oregano. Use the ripest tomatoes you can find.

Check out this recipe

Chickpea Parsley Salad with Lemon and Olive Oil

Light and herbaceous, this salad adds texture and earthiness to your table. Chickpeas, red onion, lemon, and loads of fresh parsley make it bright and satisfying. (Recipe coming soon!)

Check out this recipe

Side:

Greek-Style Lemon Potato Wedges with Whipped Feta

These lemon-braised potato wedges are tender and fluffy on the inside, with beautifully caramelized edges from roasting. They're nestled on a bed of creamy whipped feta and finished with a warm chili crunch drizzle.

Check out this recipe

Main:

Marinated Greek Lamb Chops (Cast Iron or Grilled). Serve the lamb chops family-style straight from the cast iron, flanked by colourful blistered peppers.

Dessert:

Baklava. In a rush, buy some from a local bakery Or try...

Poached Pear Puff Pastry

This viral recipe features pears poached in cinnamon-spiced syrup, wrapped in golden puff pastry, filled with chopped walnuts and brushed with sticky poaching liquid. A modern nod to baklava, with a dramatic presentation.

Check out this recipe

Let the drinks flow, serve everything family-style, and don't overthink the details. A Greek dinner party is all about great food, music, lively conversation, and making everyone feel like family!

📖 Recipe

Marinated Greek Lamb Chops (Cast Iron or Grilled)

These juicy Greek lamb chops are marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon, and oregano, then seared hot in a cast iron skillet or over the grill. The result is tender, golden-browned lamb full of vibrant Mediterranean flavour.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Marinating time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 57 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Greek

Servings 3 -4

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Lamb Chops

• 8 lamb loin chops 1 to 1½ inches thick
• 6 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic about 4 cloves, divided
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano or 1½ teaspoons dried, divided
• Zest of 2 lemons divided
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice from about 1½ lemons
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Optional: flaky sea salt for finishing

For the Blistered Mini Peppers

• 8-10 mini mini sweet peppers mixed colours, stems on
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Flaky sea salt or kosher salt to taste
• Optional: squeeze of lemon juice or pinch of dried oregano

Instructions

 

Marinate the Lamb Chops

• In a large bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons olive oil, 3 teaspoons garlic, half the oregano, half the lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the lamb chops and coat well. Cover and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes max.

  Tip: Because the marinade contains lemon juice, don’t go beyond 30 minutes or the acid may start to toughen the meat. To prep ahead, mix the marinade and store separately, then combine just before marinating.

Make the Finishing Sauce

• In a small jar or bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, the remaining garlic, oregano, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Set aside.

Preheat Your Cooking Surface

• Heat a cast iron pan (in an Ooni oven, on the stovetop, or over a grill) or preheat your grill to medium-high heat. You want it hot, around 475-500°F (245-260°C) for a good sear.

Prepare and Cook the Peppers

• Rinse and dry the peppers thoroughly. Leave them whole with stems on. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a small pinch of salt.

  Place peppers directly onto the grill or into the hot cast-iron pan. Cook for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until blistered and slightly collapsed. Set aside.

Sear the Lamb Chops

• Place the lamb chops upright on the fat cap side in the hot skillet (or on the grill) and sear for 1 minute to render some fat. Then lay them flat and cook for 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare, flipping once.

Rest and Serve

• Transfer the lamb to a plate and rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with the lemon-oregano finishing sauce. Serve with blistered mini peppers and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

💬Tried this recipe?

• We'd LOVE it if you left a rating and review. Your feedback helps others… and it would really make our day!

Video

Keyword greek lamb chops, grilled baby lamb chops, marinade for baby lamb chops, mediterranean lamb chops recipe, recipe for greek lamb chops

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!