Harissa-Spiced Lamb Chops with Cucumber Salad
Savory lamb chops marinated in smoky harissa, served with a refreshing cucumber salad for balanced flavors. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 32 minutes pairs lamb chops, harissa paste, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 4 (1.5 oz each), bone-in lamb chops
- 1.5 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2, juiced lemon
- 1 medium, peeled and diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh mint
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1.5 tbsp harissa paste, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1/2 lemon juiced. Rub evenly over 4 lamb chops, then let marinate for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Place lamb chops on the grill, skin-side down first. Cook for 4 minutes until seared, then flip and cook for 3 minutes for medium-rare.
- Step 3: Whisk 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper in a small bowl. Toss with 1 medium peeled diced cucumber, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, and 2 tbsp chopped mint.
- Step 4: Rest lamb chops for 5 minutes before serving with the cucumber salad. Drizzle with any remaining marinade.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Lamb Chops with Cucumber Salad take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (25 min prep + 7 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 Harissa-Spiced Lamb Chops with Cucumber Salad?
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 Harissa-Spiced Lamb Chops with Cucumber Salad?
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 Harissa-Spiced Lamb Chops with Cucumber Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Harissa-Spiced Lamb Chops with Cucumber Salad?
Middle Eastern 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My family loved the dish. The cucumber salad was a refreshing contrast.
- ★★★★★
The harissa spice was perfect, and the lamb was incredibly tender.
- ★★★★☆
The harissa was a bit too strong for my taste, but the lamb was cooked well.
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