If you're looking for a quick and flavorful lamb dish that looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to make, these Cumin Lamb Chops are it! Inspired by Chinese-style cumin lamb (孜然羊), this recipe brings bold, aromatic flavor to juicy lamb chops with just a few simple ingredients. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests-plus you can pan-fry or grill them in under 15 minutes!
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Why You'll Love These Cumin Lamb Chops
- 🐑 Juicy, tender, and full of flavor
- 🌿 Bold cumin and garlic seasoning inspired by Chinese cuisine
- 🔥 Easy to grill or pan-fry
- 🍽️ Great for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests
About the Ingredients
Here's some extra info about the ingredients you might find helpful!
About Cumin
There's a reason cumin and lamb is such a popular combo in Chinese cuisine-especially in dishes like Cumin Lamb Stir Fry (孜然羊) from Xinjiang. Cumin adds a warm, earthy, and slightly smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with rich, juicy lamb.
While this seasoning blend may not be traditionally used on Western-style lamb chops, it works beautifully. It's bold, fragrant, and gives the dish that crave-worthy depth of flavor without needing a marinade that takes hours.
About Lamb Chops
Lamb chops are a flavorful and elegant cut of meat that cook quickly and look impressive-perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining. They come from the rib or loin of the lamb and are best cooked to a juicy medium-rare (about 135°F internal temperature).
You can:
- Buy a rack of lamb and slice it into individual chops (usually 8 per rack), or
- Purchase pre-cut lamb chops for convenience
Look for chops that are about 1 inch thick, with a nice pink color and a bit of fat marbling for tenderness. And if you can't find them locally, some online butchers deliver directly to your door!
The Rest of the Ingredients
- Soy sauce - adds umami depth
- Rice wine - a touch of acidity to tenderize and brighten the flavor
- Garlic - for an aromatic punch
- Oil - to help carry flavor and sear the chops
- Cooking oil - for pan frying, use something with a high smoke point like avocado oil
How to make Cumin Lamb Chops
First, gather your ingredients:
- 1 rack of lamb (8 ribs), cut into individual chops
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon oil (any neutral oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cooking oil for pan-frying (like avocado oil or vegetable oil)
Marinate the Lamb:
Place the lamb chops in a bowl and add soy sauce, rice wine, ground cumin, oil, and minced garlic. Toss until the chops are evenly coated.
Let them marinate with this dry rub for at least 30 minutes (or cover and refrigerate overnight for even more flavor).
Pan Fried / Stove Top Version
Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat.
Add a bit of high-heat cooking oil to coat the pan.
Add a bit of high-heat cooking oil to coat the pan.
Flip using tongs and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
For medium-rare, the internal temp should reach 145°F (but you can adjust to your preferred doneness).
Grill Version
You can also grill them! One of my favorite things to grill.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Place lamb chops on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
Aim for an internal temperature of 135°F for medium-rare.
Remove from heat and serve!
Cumin Lamb Chops
These quick and easy cumin lamb chops are bursting with flavor! Pan-fried or grilled, they’re perfect for weeknight dinners and inspired by Chinese-style cumin lamb (孜然羊肉).
Ingredients
- 1 rack of lamb (about 8 ribs), cut into individual chops
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon oil (any neutral oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cooking oil for pan-frying (like avocado or vegetable oil)
Instructions
- Cut the rack of lamb into individual chops. In a bowl, combine the lamb chops with soy sauce, rice wine, ground cumin, oil, and minced garlic. Mix until the chops are well coated, then let them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the refrigerator for more flavor).
- To pan-fry: Heat cooking oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the lamb chops and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side. Flip with tongs and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches about 135°F for medium-rare.
- To grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the lamb chops on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches about 135°F for medium-rare.
- Remove the lamb chops from heat and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy hot with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
For best flavor and tenderness, lamb chops are usually served medium-rare. If that’s not your preference, here’s a quick temperature guide:
- Medium-Rare: Remove at 125–130°F, rest to 130–135°F
- Medium: Remove at 135–140°F, rest to 140–145°F
- Medium-Well: Remove at 145–150°F, rest to 150–155°F
- Well Done: Remove at 155–160°F, rest to 160°F+
Always let your lamb chops rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to let the juices redistribute.
Note: The video in this recipe card was filmed before I updated the post, so some details or ingredient amounts may vary slightly from the written instructions above. It’s still super helpful though—the steps are the same and it’ll give you a great visual of how the cooking process works!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 406Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 307mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 31g
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 says
I love lamb chops. Thanks for such an easy recipe!
Yang says
Lamb shops are my favourite, and your seasoning blend is so easy.
Megan Stevens says
Fave, fave, fave dinner, so good! I also grew up eating these, and they're our favorite!
Jean Choi says
So flavorful and delicious. I love lamb chops, and the seasoning on this is on point!
Erin says
I love the idea of adding cumin to the lamb chops-- such a warm flavor!