Grilled Harissa-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce

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

Juicy lamb chops marinated in fiery harissa and garlic, grilled to perfection and served alongside a cooling mint yogurt sauce for balance. This African recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs lamb chops, harissa paste, garlic cloves 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. 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 African cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp harissa paste, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Coat 8 lamb chops (about 1.5 lbs) evenly with the harissa marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours to infuse flavors.
  3. Step 3: While the lamb marinates, prepare the mint yogurt sauce by mixing 1 cup Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves, 1/2 small peeled and diced cucumber, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Chill until ready to serve.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove lamb chops from marinade and grill for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer to desired doneness, until edges are nicely charred.
  5. Step 5: Transfer lamb chops to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm with a generous dollop of the mint yogurt sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Harissa-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 Harissa-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 Harissa-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 Harissa-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 Harissa-Spiced Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce?

African 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.

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