Lamb Chops with Garlic, Thyme and Red Wine Sauce
In short: Lamb loin chops seared in a hot skillet with garlic and thyme, then a quick red wine and shallot sauce built in the same pan, in 25 minutes. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 460 kcal
Small lamb loin chops cook in minutes, so they suit a quick dinner that still feels special. They need only salt, a hot pan and a few minutes of attention. While the chops rest, the pan juices become a glossy sauce with shallot, red wine and a little stock, finished with a knob of butter. Allow three chops per person if they are small, and serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables or a simple green salad.
Instructions
- Take the chops out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Pat them dry and season both sides with 1/2 tsp of the salt and the pepper.
- Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over high heat until it shimmers. Add the chops and cook for 3 minutes without moving them, until deeply browned.
- Turn the chops, add the garlic and thyme, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, spooning the fat over them, until a thermometer reads 58°C (136°F). Move the chops to a plate and rest them for 5 minutes. They climb to about 63°C (145°F).
- Pour off all but 1 tbsp of the fat from the pan. Cook the shallot over medium heat for 1 minute, then add the wine and boil for 2 minutes, scraping up the browned bits.
- Add the stock and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, until reduced by about half.
- Off the heat, swirl in the cold butter, the remaining salt, the vinegar and any juices from the plate. Spoon the sauce over the chops and serve.
Tips
- Ask for loin or rib chops. Shoulder chops are tougher and need slower cooking.
- No red wine? Use extra stock plus 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar. A teaspoon of redcurrant jelly makes the sauce sweeter.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook lamb chops in a pan?
About 3 minutes per side for chops 3 cm (1 1/4 inches) thick. Pull them at 58°C (136°F) and rest them for 5 minutes.
Should lamb chops be pink?
Lamb cooked to 63°C (145°F) after resting is safe and looks faintly pink in the center, which is normal.
What should I serve with lamb chops?
Mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, green beans or a lemony salad all suit them. Mint sauce is a classic extra.
How long does it take to make Lamb Chops with Garlic, Thyme and Red Wine Sauce?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lamb Chops with Garlic, Thyme and Red Wine Sauce?
About 460 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 32 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 460 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 32 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
