Cape Town Braai-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender lamb chops rubbed with traditional South African braai spices, grilled and served with a fresh mint chimichurri sauce. This african-inspired lamb ready in about 37 minutes pairs (about 1 inch thick) lamb loin chops, smoked paprika, ground coriander for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 African cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp ground coriander, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the braai spice rub.
  2. Step 2: Rub 2 tbsp olive oil over 8 lamb loin chops, then evenly coat each chop with the spice rub. Let the lamb rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: In a food processor, combine 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Pulse until finely chopped but still textured; set aside.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill lamb chops for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, until nicely charred and internal temperature reaches 135°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove lamb chops from grill, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve topped with generous spoonfuls of fresh mint chimichurri sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cape Town Braai-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri take to make?

Total time is about 37 minutes (25 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cape Town Braai-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked paprika from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cape Town Braai-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cape Town Braai-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cape Town Braai-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri?

African lamb like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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