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    Where Is My Spoon > Main Dish > Meat Recipes

    Pan-Seared Lamb Lollipops

    Published by: Adina March 28, 2022 · Last modified: March 20, 2023 2 Comments

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    pinterest image with title for lamb chops.

    Marinated pan-seared lollipops cooked within minutes and so full of flavor, these succulent lamb chops make a delicious appetizer or a quick weeknight dinner.

    Jump to Recipe
    close up of lamb lollipops sprinkled with parsley and red peppercorns.

    Try this delicious lamb recipe; it would be perfect for your next party, for Easter brunch, or as an easy and quick dinner, especially in spring or summer. Lamb lollipops are incredibly flavorful and only take minutes to cook. You can cook them on the stovetop, or you can grill them.

    Table of Contents
     [show]
    • What are lamb lollipops?
    • Recipe ingredients
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Internal temperature for lamb chops before and after resting:
    • Expert tips
    • Recipe FAQ
    • How to serve?
    • More delicious lamb recipes

    What are lamb lollipops?

    Frenched racks of lamb cut into individual chops or cutlets. Basically, a little meat at the end of a long bone. They look nice, and they are incredibly tasty, and that makes them excellent party food; they are food on a stick.

    You can ask the butcher to clean some of the meat from the long bone or do it yourself. I only do it if I intend to serve the lamb lollipops as a hand-held appetizer for guests. Otherwise, I don’t bother.

    Recipe ingredients

    listed ingredients for fryng lamb chops on the table.

    Rack of lamb:

    • I buy frozen New Zeeland racks of lamb because they are the most readily available. Buying fresh lamb (especially lamb rib chops) can be pretty challenging where I live.
    • The frozen racks I have are already cut into single pieces. If yours are not, just cut between the bones using a good sharp knife; it’s very easy.
    • 16 ribs weigh a bit less than 4.5 lbs/ 2 kg, which might seem like a lot, but it isn’t. 16 lollipop lamb chops will only serve 3-4 people as a main dish.
    • Today’s recipe uses only 8 lamb chop lollies, but you can quickly scale it to serve more people.

    Herbs:

    • For convenience, I used dried herbs. Rosemary, thyme, and oregano are tasty in a dried form. But whenever possible, I try to use at least fresh rosemary. You can also add a pinch of dried mint if you like; not too much; dried mint can become overpowering.

    Other ingredients: olive oil, grated garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, fine sea salt or Kosher salt, and ground black pepper.

    The marinade is very simple and delicious. However, you can use another spice rub you like. To impart the lamb chop lollipops an exotic flavor; I often use ground cumin, coriander, and a tiny pinch of cinnamon.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Prepare meat:

    • Defrost the chops if frozen.
    • Cut the racks of ribs into single chops if necessary (1,2).
    collage of two pictures of whole rack of lamb and then individual chops.

    Marinate meat:

    • Mix olive oil, grated garlic cloves, dried herbs (or chopped fresh herbs), lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
    • Dry the lamb cutlets with kitchen towels, and place them in a baking dish or bowl.
    • Pour the marinade on top and rub the chops to coat them all over.
    • Cover and marinate for 1 to 8 hours.
    • Remove the lamb chops from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature.
    • Alternatively, use our Lamb Seasoning for the marinade.

    Cook meat:

    • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a cast-iron skillet or a large frying pan. Depending on the size of the pan, fry the chops in batches.
    • Fry the lamb chops in the hot pan on medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 130°F/ 55°C (3,4).
    • If you like them well done, give them another minute or so.
    • Let the chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.
    collage of two pictures of frying lamb chops.

    Internal temperature for lamb chops before and after resting:

    • Medium-rare: 130°F/55°C; after resting 140°F/60°C
    • Medium: 150°F/65°C; after resting 160°F/71°C
    • Well-done: 160°F/71°C; after resting 170°F/77°C
    overhead view of plate with lamb chop lollipops with lemon wedges on a black background.

    Expert tips

    • Try to marinade the lamb chop lollies for at least 1-2 hours before cooking.
    • Don’t overcook them; the cooking time might seem short, but the pieces of meat are tiny, and you should never overcook lamb.

    Recipe FAQ

    How to check the internal temperature?

    The best way to ensure that the lamb lollipops are not overcooked is to use a meat thermometer.

    Can I grill the lollipops?

    Yes. Grill them on medium heat without a lid for about 2-3 minutes per side. Please check the internal temperature. You can also cook them on a grill pan.

    How to serve?

    • The lamb lollipops are best served immediately and hot after a short resting time. If they sit for too long, they will lose their temperature, and the fat will congeal, which is not pleasant.

    What to serve with them?

    • We love them with pesto, especially mint pesto or a Greek yogurt dip with garlic. You can also try mint jelly or a chili dip.
    • To serve as a main dish, make a simple couscous, Couscous Salad, Bulgur Salad, or a simple green salad with Yogurt Dressing or Raspberry Vinaigrette. Try them with Buttered Peas, Pan-Fried Asparagus and Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus, or Buttered Vegetables.
    • Roasted or boiled baby potatoes, mashed potatoes, oven-baked potato wedges with chili dip, or smashed potatoes are great sides as well.
    • Or serve them with this easy Puff Pastry Spanakopita.
    plate of lamb chops on a black board sprinkled with parsley.

    More delicious lamb recipes

    • Lamb Shoulder in the Slow Cooker
    • Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder Recipe (Oven)
    • Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu
    • Leftover Lamb Ragu
    • Roasted Leg of Lamb with White Wine

    Do you like this recipe?

    Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Don’t forget to tag me #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!
    plate of lamb chops on a black board sprinkled with parsley.

    Pan-Seared Lamb Lollipops

    Marinated pan-seared lollipops cooked within minutes and so full of flavor, these succulent lamb chops make a delicious appetizer or a quick weeknight dinner.
    4.75 from 4 votes
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    Course: Meat Recipes
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes
    2 hours hours
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 451kcal
    Author: Adina

    Equipment

    • Frying pan or cast-iron skillet
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    Ingredients 

    • 1 rack of lamb 8 ribs Note 1
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    Marinade:

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 garlic cloves large
    • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary Note 2
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Cut the rack of ribs into single pieces if necessary. Trim a bit of the meat and fat to reveal more of the bone.
    • Marinade: Mix olive oil, grated garlic cloves, dried herbs (or chopped fresh herbs), lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
    • Dry the lamb chops with kitchen towels, place them in a baking dish or bowl.
    • Marinate lamb: Pour the marinade on top and rub the chops to coat them all over. Cover and marinate for 1 to 8 hours.
    • Remove the lamb chops from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking.
    • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a cast-iron skillet or a large frying pan. Depending on the size of the pan, fry the chops in batches.
    • Fry the lamb chops for 2 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 130°F/ 55°C. If you like them well-done, give them another minute (Note 3).
    • Let the chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    1. Racks of lamb that are cut into single chops. You can buy them already cut or you can cut them yourself. One individual rib weighed about 2.5 oz/ 75 g.
    2. The dried herbs can be substituted with fresh herbs, about 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, thyme, oregano.
    3. Internal temperature for lamb chops before and after resting:
    • Medium-rare: 130°F/55°C; after resting 140°F/60°C
    • Medium: 150°F/65°C; after resting 160°F/71°C
    • Well-done: 160°F/71°C; after resting 170°F/77°C

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2lollipops | Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 458mg | Potassium: 623mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

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    Comments

    1. Pamela says

      April 18, 2022 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent! I served these lamb lollipops for Easter dinner. The marinade is delicious and preparation is easy. You gave terrific directions. Will serve this again!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        April 18, 2022 at 8:49 pm

        So happy to hear it, Pamela. Thank you.

        Reply

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