Harissa Lamb Chops
These harissa lamb chops are bold, smoky, and deeply satisfying. A fiery North African harissa paste marinade transforms simple lamb chops into something spectacularly flavorful. The kind of dish that looks and tastes like it came from a wood-fired grill at a Marrakech riad, but cooks beautifully in your own kitchen in minutes. The contrast between the charred, spice-crusted exterior and the tender, pink meat inside is what makes every bite so memorable.
Harissa does all the heavy lifting here. The rose-red chili paste brings smoky heat, warm cumin, and a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the rich, grassy flavor of lamb. A quick 30-minute marinade is all you need, though longer is always better if you have time. The high-heat sear creates a gorgeous caramelized crust while keeping the inside perfectly juicy and medium-rare.
Serve these on a bed of herbed couscous with a generous drizzle of cooling mint yogurt sauce, a scattering of fresh herbs, and warm flatbread on the side. Don't skip the lemon wedge. That final squeeze of citrus ties everything together beautifully and cuts through the richness.
Ingredients
- ● 8 lamb loin chops
- ● 3 tbsp harissa paste
- ● 2 tbsp olive oil
- ● 2 cloves garlic
- ● 1 tsp ground cumin
- ● 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ● 1 tsp honey
- ● 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- ● 2 tbsp fresh mint
- ● 1/4 cup cucumber
- ● 4 lemon wedges
- ● salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1Mix harissa paste, olive oil, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, and honey in a bowl. Rub generously over the lamb chops and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge.
- 2Make the yogurt sauce: stir together Greek yogurt, mint, cucumber, a squeeze of lemon, and a pinch of salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- 3Heat a cast iron skillet or grill pan over high heat until smoking. Season lamb chops with salt.
- 4Sear lamb chops for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare (135°F internal). Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- 5Plate the lamb chops with a generous dollop of yogurt sauce, fresh mint leaves, and lemon wedges alongside. Serve with couscous or warm flatbread.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 390 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32g |
| Carbohydrates | 6g |
| Fat | 26g |
