Grilled Citrus-Marinated Lamb Chops with Tzatziki
Tender lamb chops marinated in bright citrus and herbs, grilled to perfection and served with a cooling cucumber yogurt sauce. This greek-inspired lamb (mediterranean) ready in about 30 minutes pairs lamb chops, about 1-inch thick, olive oil, lemon juice 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.
Ingredients
- 8 pieces lamb chops, about 1-inch thick
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, finely diced and drained
- 1 tbsp dill, chopped
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for tzatziki)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup orange juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 8 lamb chops to the marinade, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours to tenderize and infuse flavors.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the tzatziki by combining 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup finely diced and drained cucumber, 1 tbsp chopped dill, 1 tsp white vinegar, and 1 tbsp olive oil in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate.
- Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the lamb chops from the marinade and grill for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer to your preferred doneness.
- Step 5: Let the grilled lamb chops rest for 5 minutes before serving alongside a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Lamb Chops with Tzatziki take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Citrus-Marinated Lamb Chops with Tzatziki?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Lamb Chops with Tzatziki?
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 Citrus-Marinated Lamb Chops with Tzatziki 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 Citrus-Marinated Lamb Chops with Tzatziki?
Greek 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.