Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy lamb chops marinated in a fiery Ethiopian berbere spice blend, grilled to perfection and served with a cooling mint yogurt sauce. This African recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs lamb chops, berbere spice mix, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp berbere spice mix, 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Coat 8 lamb chops (about 1.5 lbs) evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Grill the lamb chops for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer to desired doneness, until edges are slightly charred and internal temperature reaches 135°F.
  3. Step 3: While the lamb cooks, stir together 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt to taste.
  4. Step 4: Remove lamb chops from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve the chops drizzled or dipped with the fresh mint yogurt sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce?

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 lamb chops from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce?

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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce 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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce?

Ethiopian african 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes