About Lamb Chops

Certain lamb chops are tougher than others. For a good lamb chop, choose a sirloin, rib or loin chop. Shoulder chops and leg chops tend to be tougher, and need to be marinated or cooked for quite awhile at a lower temperature to get the tenderness needed. While marbling is not as important as in beef, the fat should be distributed evenly.

Function

Lamb chops, while not a staple of most American diets because many people think the taste is too strong, can become a staple once people learn how to cook them. They would add variety to the diet and provide another form of protein.

Types

There are five types of lamb chops --- shoulder chops, leg chops, sirloin chops, rib chops and loin chops. A lamb chop is usually cut plumb to the spine, and usually includes a rib, though some chops may be boneless. The shoulder and leg chops are from muscles that are continuously used by the animal, so it is a tougher and cheaper cut of meat. The best chops are loin chops, rib chops and sirloin chops.

Time Frame

Whether grilling, frying or baking lamb chops, they should be cooked to an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit--- about 20 to 30 minutes. If you are using shoulder or leg chops, they should be cooked submerged in a marinade on 250 degrees for five to six hours. You can also cook them in a Crock-Pot set low, if covered in a marinade. Crock-Pot chops should also be cooked for five to six hours.

Geography

Lamb is not a popular meal in the United States, when compared with beef or pork, but is a popular dish in the British Isles. In Scotland, people use all parts of the lamb, including the stomach, to make haggis.

Features

Lamb lends itself to favorite flavors such as rosemary, oregano, mustard, garlic and thyme. Chops should be about an inch thick, and are great for grilling. Dredging the chops in garlic sauce then grilling is one of the best ways to make lamb.

Considerations

Lamb chops are better when cooked to medium rare or medium, so they do not dry out. Rosemary is a popular spice used when cooking lamb. There are many recipes for cooking lamb chops --- if you do not like one, do not give up on lamb. Just try a different recipe with different spices.