Best 7 Sauces to Pair with Lamb Chops
Even perfectly prepared lamb chops seasoned with just salt can taste like they’re missing something once in a while.
There are many Lamb Cuts available however, Lamb Chops are known to pair extremely well with various sauces and marinades so it’s a shame to miss out on the flavor fusion by not adding the right ingredients to your next lamb chop dinner..
This comprehensive article is where you can find out what the best 7 sauces to pair with your lamb chops. When we say Lamb Chops we mean Lamb Rib Chops, Lamb Loin Chops, Chops cut from the Lamb Rack, Lamb Shoulder Chops and Neck Chops.
From traditional to the exotic, here are the sauces we think you should be whipping up to go with your lamb chops:
1. Garlic Rosemary Sauce with Lamb Chops
Due to their strong flavor, lamb chops usually taste good with more robust seasonings. This is why a garlic rosemary sauce is an excellent option. The woody notes from the rosemary herb gives a smoky flavor to the lamb, adding greater depth to the overall flavor. There is also no denying that it’s one of the best herb pairings for lamb.
Cooked in stock and butter, the garlic adds a hint of pungency and flavor to the lamb chop, helping to balance out the earthy flavors of the rosemary. The sauce is finished off with some lemon juice to get the right amount of tang.
This sauce is quite light and works well if you are looking for flavor, but don’t want it to be too heavy. Best of all, you can whip up this garlic rosemary sauce with a minimum number of ingredients and in less time as well.
It is ideal for those quick dinners when you don’t want to spend too long in the kitchen. However, that doesn’t mean this recipe will taste simplistic. It makes a great main dish at a dinner party! Just watch the compliments rolling in.
2. Mustard-Thyme Sauce with Lamb Chops
If you’re in the mood for a creamier accompaniment, this mustard-thyme sauce will fit the bill. The Dijon mustard adds creaminess to the sauce, but the gentle tang prevents it from overpowering the natural flavors of the lamb chops.
Thyme is undoubtedly a wonderful pairing with lamb chops. By using fresh thyme, you lend the distinctive flavor of the herb without causing it to overpower the sauce. The addition of wine adds a nice tartness and body to the sauce as well.
It should be noted that once cooked, the lamb chops are simmered in the sauce for a while. This allows the flavors and the creaminess of the sauce to permeate the chops.
If you are cooking for a group and want to make a statement, this mustard-thyme sauce is the best way to go about it.
3. Tzatziki Sauce with Lamb Chops
Tzatziki sauce is a classic greek sauce / side dish for lamb that works incredibly well with medium rare or rare lamb chops in particular.
This sauce contains the flavors that work amazingly well with lamb chops. This includes dill, mint, and garlic. The ingredients are combined with Greek yogurt, lemon, and lightly seasoned. This way, the herbs will be carefully balanced out by tartness.
Despite this, the flavors of the tzatziki sauce are not overly strong. You can still taste the robust flavors of your lamb chop with every bite. At the same time, this sauce works to add a cool and light flavor that complements the meat.
Tzatziki sauce works especially well for summertime meals whenever lamb is included. The cooling sauce is a refreshing addition at any time of the day. In Greece, tzatziki sauce is used with lamb quite often. As a result, you can be sure that they go well together.
4. Balsamic Brown Sugar Sauce with Lamb Chops
This is an unusual accompaniment for lamb chops, but you can try it all the same. What’s interesting is that the intensity of the flavors in the sauce is a great match for the robust flavors of the lamb chops. If you are up for a true celebration of flavors, make sure to give this balsamic based sauce a go.
Don’t let the inclusion of brown sugar fool you. Yes, it’s on the sweeter side, but not overly so. In other words, it straddles the line between sweet and savory. The tang of the balsamic vinegar prevents the sauce from being too sweet, promoting a delicious caramel-like flavor.
The addition of the cayenne pepper and garlic adds just a hint of firepower to the sauce and some interesting flavors as well. Simmer your lamb chops in the sauce for a few minutes and you will end up with a combination that you won’t forget anytime soon.
This recipe is sure to be a hit during the cooler months of the year. Once you get it right, you may find that you want to add it to your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu as well!
5. Chimichurri Sauce with Lamb Chops
It has already been established that lamb chops work well with a variety of herbs. So, what if you added a bunch of herbs into one sauce? The answer is chimichurri sauce. When it comes to pairing with red meats - chimichurri is king! This sauce contains fresh cilantro, parsley, and basil leaves.
To add a bit more earthiness, throw in some ground coriander and cumin. Add some garlic and shallots for a slightly pungent kick and top off with lemon and red wine vinegar. There’s no denying that several flavors are working together in perfect harmony.
To ensure that this sauce doesn’t end up being too rich, olive oil should be used as a base. So, once blended, it can be gently drizzled over the lamb chops. It will boost the flavor of the dish without hijacking the flavors of the lamb.
When making this sauce, always use fresh herbs. It adds a lot of zest in terms of texture and dried herbs can be a bit too robust for this particular dish.
6. Red Wine Sauce with Lamb Chops
What’s wonderful about this sauce is that it is so flavorful, but still so light. It works great when you are looking for an accompaniment that pairs well with the flavors of the lamb chop without stealing the show.
The key to getting this wine sauce just right is good, dry red wine. As long as it is high-quality, you can feel free to use cabernet, merlot, or pinot noir. If you enjoy drinking it, you can guarantee that this wine will be wonderful in the sauce as well.
Make sure to whip up the sauce in the same pan that you cooked your lamb chops in. The drippings will be a wonderful flavor addition to the sauce and help to bring it all together.
You also have chives, shallots, rosemary, and other herbs and seasoning adding depth to the dish. All of this can be cooked and reduced in unsalted broth. Once done, it can be drizzled over the lamb for the perfect finish.
7. Lemon Tahini Sauce
This is yet another daring sauce with a huge middle eastern influence. If you want to switch things up and discover new pairings for lamb chops, this is a sauce you should certainly try out. It is also incredibly easy to make and can be whipped up in mere minutes.
The lemon tahini sauce is a healthier option as well. It contains no oil but is creamy and packs enough flavor to make you forget just how healthy it is.
This sauce only contains tahini, lemon, and maple syrup. The maple syrup rounds out the stronger flavors, creating a more balanced effect. If the lemon tahini sauce feels a bit thick for you, feel free to thin it out with some water.
Keep in mind that this will take some of the creaminess away, though.
Summary
- Lamb Chops pair extremely well with a number of sauces.
- Our Top 7 sauces to pair with Lamb Chops are: Garlic and Rosemary, Mustard Thyme, Tzatziki sauce, Balsamic Brown Sugar sauce, Chimichurri , Red Wine Sauce and Lemon Tahini sauce.
- Lamb Chops include Lamb Rib Chops, Lamb Loin Chops and Neck and Lamb Shoulder Chops all cook the same way and work great with all of these sauces.
- Herb and citrus based sauces work best as the tart flavors pair well with the rish lamb meat.