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!

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.

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!

Ideas for sides

A simple veggie side goes well with this Cumin Lamb Chops. My go to is to stir fry some greens. For example, Chinese Green Beans Stir Fry, Bok Choy Stir Fry with Garlic, or Stir Fry Napa Cabbage with Dried Shrimp.

How to make Pan Fried Cumin Lamb Chops

First gather your ingredients:

• 8-rib rack of lamb
• 3 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, as desired
• 2 tbsp cooking oil/fat

Cut rack of lambs in to lamb chops. In a bowl, combine the lamb chops with all the spices – salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin powder.

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!

Pin for later!

If you love the taste of lamb, check out these other delicious lamb recipes:

Cumin Lamb Stir Fry

Bitter Melon Lamb Stir Fry

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