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My 5-ingredient lamb chop marinade recipe beautifully complements the earthy flavor of lamb while making for tender, juicy lamb chops every time!
If lamb is on the menu, consider trying my lamb lollipops, smoked leg of lamb, or lamb meatballs next!
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I’m always looking for an excuse to make air fryer lamb chops for dinner, and this quick and simple marinade makes it easy!
By soaking the chops in the marinade, we’re able to infuse layers of rich, umami-forward flavor while tenderizing the meat and making it succulent and juicy. While it’s meant for lamb chops, you can use it with almost any cut of lamb, including rib chops, shoulder chops, and loin chops.
Why I love this recipe
- It ticks all the boxes. Like my chicken thigh marinade, each ingredient gives you the essential flavors every marinade needs: acid, flavor, and plenty of garlic.
- Budget-friendly. Lamb chops are generally less expensive than a full rack of lamb, and the ingredient list is made up of pantry staples you likely have on hand already.
- Works with other cuts of meat. Don’t feel restricted to only using this to marinate lamb. It works just as well with oven-baked pork chops or veal chops!
- Perfectly compliments the chops. Regardless of the method you’re using, this marinade will naturally accentuate the rich, earthy flavor of the lamb.
Key ingredients
- Soy sauce. Adds umami flavor, which elevates the lamb’s natural flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce. For tang and more umami.
- Garlic. I strongly suggest using fresh garlic cloves, as it makes ALL the difference.
- Whole grain mustard. I prefer the texture and peppery flavor of whole grain mustard as opposed to Dijon mustard, though you could use Dijon if you prefer it.
- Ginger. Adds a lovely aromatic, zesty element. A 1-inch piece of fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon of ginger paste) should be plenty.
How to make a lamb chop marinade
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Mix. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.
Step 2- Marinade. Add the lamb loin chops to the marinade, toss to coat, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes. Discard the marinade before cooking.
A quick guide to cooking lamb chops
Once the lamb is marinated, bring it to room temperature and cook it using your method of choice. Here are the best ways to cook marinated lamb chops:
- Pan sear. Heat a cast iron pan until sizzling hot. Pat the lamb chops dry, then sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Grill. Preheat a grill on high. Pat the lamb chops dry, then grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 370F/190C. Pat the lamb chops dry, then air fry in a single layer for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Sous vide. Place the marinade and lamb chops in a vacuum-sealed bag, then cook in a 135-140F sous-vide bath for 2 hours. Blot away the excess marinade before quickly searing the chops on both sides in a preheated and oiled cast iron pan.
Whichever method you choose, keep an instant-read thermometer handy so you don’t overcook the chops. I prefer lamb chops to be between rare to medium (120-130F). When cooked past medium, lamb tends to taste extra gamey and tough.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use a resealable plastic bag. I only marinate meat in plastic bags because it makes clean-up a breeze.
- Or use a glass or ceramic bowl. If you’d rather use a bowl, I suggest avoiding metal bowls as they tend to react with the acid in the marinade, leaving an unpleasant metallic taste.
- Marinade up to 24 hours. Any longer, and I notice the meat’s fibers break down too much, making for a gritty texture.
- Don’t rinse the marinade off! You want those flavors and bits of raw garlic to seep into the meat, so only shake the excess liquid off.
Variations
- Mediterranean. Use good quality Greek balsamic vinegar instead of Worcestershire. Add a splash of lemon juice, fresh lemon zest, and a handful of fresh herbs, like fresh rosemary, mint, parsley, or thyme.
- Hot and spicy. Kick this simple lamb marinade up a notch with a dash of cayenne, cumin, chili powder, or red pepper flakes. You can also add 1 tablespoon of hot honey sauce.
Frequently asked questions
This recipe yields roughly ½ cup of marinade, which should be enough for 1 pound of meat or about 4 lamb chops.
Lamb Chop Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard
- 1 inch ginger minced
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, wholegrain mustard, and ginger. Whisk until combined.
- Add the lamb chops, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
More foolproof marinade recipes
Originally published August 2023, updated and republished January 2025
Different recipe than the ones I saw from you. Good spicy combination!