These Garlic Butter Lamb Chops are pan-seared to perfection in a skillet with butter, garlic, and fresh thyme, creating a mouthwatering combination of flavors. The lamb chops cook up in just 15 minutes! The rich, buttery sauce enhances the natural tenderness of the lamb, making it a delicious dinner option that’s quick enough for a weeknight yet impressive enough for special occasions.

Overhead view of a skillet containing garlic butter lamb chop
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I love cooking with lamb chops, and some of my favorite recipes include my Grilled Lamb Chops, Lemon Thyme Lamb Chops and Lamb Chops with Mustard Sauce. I’m always making lamb chops for dinner because they’re one of my family’s favorite meat. So flavorful, tender, and satisfying.

Today, I’m excited to share another delicious lamb chop recipe with you, and this one is extra special thanks to a rich and buttery garlic sauce. It’s simple, mouthwatering, and sure to be a hit at your table too!

Key Ingredients to make these lamb chops

Unsalted Butter – After testing this recipe several times, I’ve found that unsalted butter is the best choice for controlling the salt levels in the recipe.

Garlic – Fresh garlic is always my go-to for this recipe. After experimenting with both fresh and jarred garlic, I’ve found that fresh garlic gives the most aromatic and vibrant flavor that infuses beautifully into the butter.

Lamb Chops – After buying lamb from various sources, I recommend looking for fresh, high-quality lamb chops. Check the meat’s color and texture to ensure you’re getting the best quality. The right cut will make a big difference in flavor and tenderness when seared to perfection.

Types of Lamb Chops

There are several different cuts of lamb chops: loin chops, shoulder chops, sirloin chops, and rib chops. But for this lamb chop recipe, you can use the following:

Lamb loin chops – These look like mini T-bone steaks, with both the loin and the tenderloin included in each chop.

Lamb rib chops – Often called a carnivore’s lollipop, these are individual chops cut from a rack of lamb and are perfect for single servings.

How To Cook This Lamb Chops Recipe

raw lamb chops on a wooden board

First: Pat lamb chops dry with paper towels. If there is moisture on the lamb chops, you won’t get a nice sear to it. Season well with salt and pepper.

raw lamb chops in a cast iron skillet

Second: Heat a cast iron skillet over a medium high heat. Place the chops narrow fat side down just like on the picture above. Using tongs press the chops down so that the fat renders and turns crisp and brown.

lamb chops in a skillet

Next: Once the fat has melted into the pan, lay the chops flat on one of their sides. Sear the lamb chops over high heat until browned to enhance the overall taste, then turn and cook on the other side.

lamb chops in a skillet with butter and garlic

Then: Add 2 tablespoons off butter, garlic and thyme. Spoon the butter over the lamb for a minute or so. Basting the lamb chops will add much more flavour to them.

Lamb Chops Temperature Guide:

For me, it tastes best once it’s cook to medium, which means the internal temperature is 145ºF. Measure it by inserting an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat.

  • If you prefer rare, the ideal temperature is 130˚F
  • For medium rare is 135˚F
  • Medium is 145˚F
  • For medium well is 160˚F
  • For well done the ideal temperature is 165˚F
Lamb Chop in a skillet

What To Serve With This Recipe

I love to serve this garlic butter lamb chops with my delicious Chimichurri Sauce and with potatoes like my favorite Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Potatoes or Potatoes Au Gratin.

I also love pair it with lots of veggies on the side like my delicious Air Fryer Green Beans, or this super cozy and yummy Air Fryer Sweet Potato.

And of course, you can also serve it with a delicious salad like this Mediterranean Salad and Caprese Salad.

P.S. If you love lamb recipes, don’t miss the best Lamb Stew EVER or this Slow Roast Leg of Lamb.  

lamb chops close up

Garlic Butter Lamb Chops – Perfectly Seared and Ready in 15 Minutes

3.47 from 971 votes
Author: Olivia Ribas
Servings5 chops
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
These Garlic Butter Lamb Chops are pan-seared to perfection in a skillet with butter, garlic, and fresh thyme, creating a mouthwatering combination of flavors. This simple recipe is incredibly easy to make, and the lamb chops cook up in just 15 minutes! The rich, buttery sauce enhances the natural tenderness of the lamb, making it a delicious and healthy dinner option that’s quick enough for a weeknight yet impressive enough for special occasions.

Video

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Ingredients 
 

  • 5 lamb loin chops
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped

Instructions 

  • Remove loin chops from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking. Place them on a paper towel-lined cutting board and pat them dry with paper towels. Season well with salt and pepper.
    raw lamb chops on a wooden board
  • Heat a dry 12-inch cast iron skillet* over a medium high heat. In the skillet, place the chops narrow fat side down. You probably will need to use tongs to keep them balanced and to press the chops down so that the fat renders and turns crisp and brown. It’s about 5 minutes.
  • Once the fat has melted into the pan, lay the chops flat on one of their sides. Cook for another 3 minutes, until browned, then turn and cook on the other side.
  • Turn the heat to medium-low. Using a spoon, pour off most of the lamb fat. Then add 2 tablespoons off butter (or ghee), garlic and thyme. Stir well until the butter is foaming, and spoon the butter over the lamb for a minute or so.
  • Place lamp chops in a serving dish and pour butter sauce on top. Enjoy!

Notes

Notes: 
  1. If you have time, let the lamb chops marinate in garlic, herbs, and butter for at least 30 minutes to infuse them with rich flavors.
  2. Allow the lamb chops to rest for a few minutes after cooking to ensure they remain juicy and tender when you cut into them.
  3. Make sure to not move around the lamb chops too much as you sear them so they get a nice crust. 
How to Store: 
  • To Store: Allow the lamb chops to cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container. Properly stored, cooked lamb chop will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. 
  • To Reheat: I suggest you use the oven to reheat them. Bake them for 5 to 10 minutes per side at a 350F oven, covered with aluminum foil. You can also add in a splash of stock or garlic butter to keep the lamb chop moist while reheating.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1/5, Calories: 265kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 20g, Cholesterol: 87mg, Sodium: 1062mg, Potassium: 24mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Olivia Ribas

Welcome

Hi, I'm Olivia


I’m so happy you’re here!! For the last 12 years, I’ve been sharing easy, quick, and family-friendly recipes like chicken, salmon, ground meat and pork chops (total reader favorites!), perfect for stress-free weeknight dinners made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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3.47 from 971 votes (906 ratings without comment)

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163 Comments

  1. Paige vP says:

    Used dried thyme. So easy and delicious, served with baked potato and French style green beans.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      So happy you liked it

  2. Alyssia Jackson says:

    Haven’t made it yet but it seems simple enough for me to cook

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Yes it’s easy to cook for sure.

  3. Shayla says:

    Added a fresh poultry blend to the butter and garlic. SUPERB!! I’ve cooked lamb several times and this is the first time that I’ve truly enjoyed it .

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      So glad to hear that!!

  4. JoAnn says:

    Easy and delish!

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Thanks 😉

  5. K. U. says:

    I didn’t see an oven temperature ? Maybe I missed it?

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      This recipe is not cooked in the oven.

  6. Adalberto Gonzalez says:

    Easy and very very delicious 😋

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Happy you liked it!

  7. Willie says:

    Can you use ground thyme if you don’t have the fresh stuff?.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Absolutely!

  8. Kirsten says:

    This recipe works great. Easy peasy. I’m the worst cook, imo, but my husband says the lamb was flavorful, tender and juicy. Coming from him, a professional chef, I take it as a compliment.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Wow that is a great compliment for sure. Happy you both enjoyed this recipe 😉

  9. Brenda Scott says:

    I did not see if you put oil in the pan when you seared the chops.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Please read the instruction on number 2 in the recipe card. I used the fat from the chops themselves to make this recipe. Watch the video on the recipe card too, so you can visualize what I’m talking about.

  10. Karen J says:

    Loved the simplicity and taste was perfect, husband gave it a 2 thumbs up . Will definitely make this again.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Wow that’s great! Happy you and your husband enjoyed it!

  11. Denise says:

    My husband made this for dinner, he said I deserve a break and he would be the chef tonight. It was apsolutely delicious….can’t wait till he becomes the chef in my kitchen again.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Aww you’re comment made my day! So glad he made it for you. How sweet! Happy you both enjoyed this recipe too 😉

    2. Candy says:

      They was awesome

  12. Odyssey says:

    I made lamb chops for the first time with this recipe and it was amazing

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      I’m so glad you enjoy it, Odyssey! Thanks for taking the time to leave this comment!

  13. Walter Blair says:

    Awesome !

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Thanks 😉

  14. Kollyn says:

    Great I’ll try it 👍 🙂

  15. Tee says:

    I used Olive Oil instead of butter DELICIOUS!

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Awesome! It’s a good replacement.

  16. Mike F. says:

    Hi, Can you clarify this please? Thanks! “2 tablespoons grass-fed butter — melted use ghee if you’re doing whole30”?

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      You can use regular butter for this recipe. BUt if you are following Whole30 diet, you should use ghee.

  17. Mary Beth O'Connor says:

    I don’t eat lamb but my husband requested it for his birthday. He couldn’t stop raving about how delish it was!

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      It makes me happy!

  18. Candy says:

    Most Tasty 🥲😋

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Thanks!

  19. Yvette says:

    I made this recipe and it was easy and delicious. My family keeps asking when will we have it again. My husband didn’t really like lamb chops before, but he loved these.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      That’s fabulous. So glad to hear that your family loved it.

  20. Clint says:

    Crap. The video only played about half way through ( 30 seconds or so ) on how to cook lamb chops then I had to watch commercials on your site about cooking chicken. The lamb chop receipe never cam back. Total waste of time.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Clint, the video plays the full recipe. But when the video plays half way through, it gives you an option to keep watching the video or to go to the next one. If you don’t click on the button to keep watching the video, the video will play the next one.