One of my favorite meals is this Cumin Lamb Chops made from a rack of lamb! It’s so delicious, looks like it’s super fancy if you are entertaining, and actually really simple to make! You can grill or pan fry!
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About Cumin
There's a Chinese dish called Cumin Lamb (孜然羊) that is fabulous. Next time you go to an authentic Sichuan restaurant, be sure to try it out! So, I definitely didn't come up with the flavor combination of cumin and lamb, but boy do I love it - which is why I like to add the cumin when I'm making lamb chops.
About Lamb Chops
Lamb chops are a delicious and easy meal that can be enjoyed on any occasion. They are made from the rib or loin of a lamb, and can be grilled, pan-fried, or roasted. Lamb chops are a good source of protein and iron, and they are low in saturated fat.
You can purchase lamb chops already cut, or you can buy a rack of lamb and the cut them in to lamb chops. An average lamb rack weighs about 2 pounds and there there are 8 chops per rack, with 1 rib bone per chop.
When choosing lamb chops, look for chops that are about 1 inch thick. The chops should be firm and pink, with a little bit of fat. Avoid chops that are tough or dry.
If you can't find any lamb chops or rack of lamb in your local grocery stores, you can try online meat ordering places! For example, Steaks and Game – they ship to anywhere in the US other than Alaska and Hawaii!
How to make Cumin Lamb Chops

First gather your ingredients:
- 8-rib rack of lamb
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cooking oil for pan frying
Cut rack of lambs in to lamb chops. In a bowl, combine the lamb chops with soy sauce, rice wine, cumin, oil and garlic. Leave lamb chops with this dry rub for at least 30 mins (up to overnight).
Pan Fried / Stove Top Version
Heat cooking oil or fat in a cast iron skillet on medium high heat. If you don't have cast iron, this can also be done in a normal skillet.
Once hot, add the lamb chops and let it sear for about 3-4 minutes.

Using tongs, turn the lamb to cook the other side. Let it cook for another 3-4 minutes. I find that this gives me the perfect medium rare on my stove, but you may want to check your temperature, which is an internal temperature of 145 degrees for medium-rare.
Grill Version
You can also grill them! One of my favorite things to grill. Grill lamb chops for about 3 minutes on each side to desired doneness. The internal temp should be 135°F for medium-rare.
Remove from heat and serve!




Cumin Lamb Chops

One of my favorite meals is this Cumin Lamb Chops made from a rack of lamb! It’s so delicious, looks like it’s super fancy if you are entertaining, and actually really simple to make! You can grill or pan fry!
Ingredients
- 8-rib rack of lamb
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cooking oil for pan frying
Instructions
- Cut rack of lambs in to lamb chops. In a bowl, combine the lamb chops with soy sauce, rice wine, cumin, oil and garlic. Leave lamb chops with this dry rub for at least 30 mins (up to overnight).
- Pan Fry Version: Heat cooking oil or fat in a cast iron skillet on medium high heat. If you don't have cast iron, this can also be done in a normal skillet. Once hot, add the lamb chops and let it sear for about 3-4 minutes. Using tongs, turn the lamb to cook the other side. Let it cook for another 3-4 minutes. I find that this gives me the perfect medium rare on my stove, but you may want to check your temperature, which is an internal temperature of 135°F for medium-rare.
- Grill Version: Grill lamb chops for about 3 minutes on each side to desired doneness. The internal temp should be 135°F for medium-rare.
- Remove from heat and serve!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 659Total Fat: 52gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 172mgSodium: 371mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 46g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information.
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More Delicious an Easy Lamb Recipes
- These pan fried cumin lamb chops are actually inspired by the Xinjiang Cumin Lamb Stir Fry! So if you like this one you got to try the original - packed with flavor!
- If you're a fan of asparagus, check out this simple Stir Fry Lamb with Asparagus! You got your protein and veggies and it is yummy and easy to make!
- For those of you that acquired the bitter melon taste... try this Bitter Melon Lamb Stir Fry! Who would've thought something bitter could be yummy?
- Move over pepper steak, try this Lamb Stir Fry with Peppers instead! Marinated sliced lamb stir fried with ginger, scallions and green peppers! What's not to love?
Donny
Sunday 19th of April 2020
I love lamb chops. Thanks for such an easy recipe!
Yang
Wednesday 15th of April 2020
Lamb shops are my favourite, and your seasoning blend is so easy.
Megan Stevens
Tuesday 14th of April 2020
Fave, fave, fave dinner, so good! I also grew up eating these, and they're our favorite!
Jean Choi
Monday 13th of April 2020
So flavorful and delicious. I love lamb chops, and the seasoning on this is on point!
Erin
Monday 13th of April 2020
I love the idea of adding cumin to the lamb chops-- such a warm flavor!