Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (2024)

Published July 14, 2023.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These delicious grilled Mediterranean lamb lollipops are marinated in tasty garlic, herb, and spice marinated that are then grilled to perfection. You will love the rich bold flavors in this lamb.

Lamb is one of my all-time favorite things to make and eat. If you love it as much as I do, try my Kofta or Greek-Style Lamb.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (1)

Rack of Lamb Lollipops

Lamb lollipops are individual or double-cut bone-in lamb chops that come from the ribs, also known as a rack of lamb. They can be prepared in various cooking methods with various flavor profiles depending on what you like.

They are called lamb lollipops because they are eaten by holding the lamb rack bone while eating the meat from it, resembling a lollipop. This can be served in two-bone or one-bone pieces. Since they are individual small cuts, it is best to grill them. I prefer two-bone pieces to help retain more moisture, and I want them to be medium-rare internally.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (2)
  • Lamb – You will need lamb racks for this recipe. They can be fresh or frozen and thawed.
  • Spices – I use a combination of cumin, cinnamon, coriander, and paprika for some earthly Mediterranean flavors.
  • Garlic – Finely grated cloves will add a lot of flavor to the marinade.
  • Herbs – Fresh oregano and thyme work well in this recipe. You can also just one or the other.
  • Acid – Lemon juice and red wine vinegar is a great combination to help tenderize and flavor the lamb. You can also use cider vinegar or white balsamic vinegar.
  • Oil – Use a good extra virgin olive oil.
  • Seasoning – Coarse salt and fresh cracked pepper is what I used.

How to Make Grilled Lamb Lollipops

Add the cumin, cinnamon, and coriander seeds to a medium-sized sauté pan (10”) and cook on low heat for 7 to 10 minutes while occasionally stirring. Doing this will help make the spices more aromatic and pungent.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (3)

Transfer the spices to a mortar and use a pestle to finely grind them or grind them down in a spice grinder.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (4)

Place the ground spices into a large bowl along with the thyme, oregano, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk it until it is well combined.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (5)

Prepare the lamb by slicing the rack into 2-bone pieces making lamb lollipops. You can cut them into single-bone pieces as well.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (6)

Put the lamb in the bowl with the spices and move the lamb around so that it is coated on all sides.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (7)

Cover the bowl in plastic wrap or transfer it to a plastic zip bag and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (8)

Preheat the grill to high heat (450° to 550°) and place the marinated lamb lollipops onto the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on all sides for a medium-rare (125°) internal temperature.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (9)

Remove the lamb and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (10)

Serve the lamb on a plate with a mint sauce and optional grilled lemon slices, and additional fresh herb leaves like mint, oregano, or thyme.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (11)

Cooking Options

  • Stovetop – Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a hot skillet over high heat until it begins to smoke lightly, and then sear the lamb rack on all sides until golden brown, which takes about 3 minutes per side. This will render a rare to medium-rare internal temperature. If you’d like it cooked more thoroughly, turn the heat down to medium and sear it again on all sides for 3 minutes per side.
  • Oven – Place the lamb on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven at 400° for 12 to 15 minutes for a medium-rare internal temperature.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead:This recipe is meant to be eaten as soon as it’s done cooking.

How to Store:Cover and keep the lamb in the refrigerator for three days.You can freeze it covered for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for one day or until thawed.

How to Reheat:This recipe does not reheat well, but if you do need to reheat it, then add it to a sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes or until warm. Reheating lamb will cause it to rise in internal temperature and can take it from medium-rare to medium-well when reheating, which can cause it to be less juicy, tender, and flavorful.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (12)

Chef Notes + Tips

  • Substitute the fresh oregano with 1 tablespoon of dry oregano.
  • You can use 1 tablespoon of dry thyme instead of fresh thyme.
  • The marinade should be extremely intense in flavor. Remember you aren’t eating the marinade; you are eating the lamb that was in it, so it needs to be overly tasty to penetrate the meat.
  • The longer the marinating time, the better. If you’re on a time crunch, it at least needs 12 hours of marinating.

More Lamb Recipes

  • Scotch Broth
  • Kibbeh
  • Lamb Persillade
  • Braised Lamb Shank
  • Roast Leg of Lamb

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (13)

Video

Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (14)

Print

5 from 2 votes

These delicious grilled lamb lollipops are marinated in a tasty garlic, herb, and spice marinated that are then grilled to perfection.

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • ½ stick of cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 ½ tablespoons finely minced fresh thyme
  • 1 ½ tablespoons finely minced fresh oregano
  • 10 finely grated garlic cloves
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 lamb racks, cut into 2 bone pieces
  • optional mint sauce recipe

Instructions

  • Add the cumin, coriander seeds, and half cinnamon stick to a medium-sized sauté pan (10”) and cook on low heat for 7 to 10 minutes while occasionally stirring. Doing this will help make the spices more aromatic and pungent.

  • Transfer the spices to a mortar and use a pestle to finely grind them or grind them down in a spice grinder.

  • Place the ground spices into a large bowl with the thyme, oregano, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk it until it is well combined.

  • Prepare the lamb by slicing the rack into 2-bone pieces making lamb lollipops. You can cut them into single-bone pieces as well.

  • Put the lamb in the bowl with the spices and move it around so that it is coated on all sides.

  • Cover the bowl in plastic wrap or transfer it to a plastic zip bag and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours.

  • Preheat the grill to high heat (450° to 550°), place the marinated lamb lollipops onto the grill, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on all sides for a medium-rare (125°) internal temperature.

  • Remove the lamb and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes.

  • Serve the lamb on a plate with a mint sauce and optional grilled lemon slices, and additional fresh herb leaves like mint, oregano, or thyme.

Notes

Make-Ahead:This recipe is meant to be eaten as soon as it’s done cooking.

How to Store:Cover and keep the lamb in the refrigerator for three days.You can freeze it covered for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for one day or until thawed.

How to Reheat:This recipe does not reheat well, but if you do need to reheat it, then add it to a sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes or until warm. Reheating lamb will cause it to rise in internal temperature and can take it from medium-rare to medium-well when reheating, which can cause it to be less juicy, tender, and flavorful.

Substitute the fresh oregano with 1 tablespoon of dry oregano.

You can use 1 tablespoon of dry thyme instead of fresh thyme.

The marinade should be extremely intense in flavor. Remember you aren’t eating the marinade; you are eating the lamb that was in it, so it needs to be overly tasty to penetrate the meat.

The longer the marinating time, the better. If you’re on a time crunch, it at least needs 12 hours of marinating.

Nutrition

Calories: 1057kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 37gFat: 99gSaturated Fat: 40gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 45gCholesterol: 189mgSodium: 1013mgPotassium: 525mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 182IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 4mg

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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4 comments

    • Katherine Garrett
    • Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (15)

    This was excellent!!!

    • Reply
    • Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (16)

        fantastic!

        • Reply
      • Donna A Pollock
      • Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (17)

      Oh my gosh, DELICIOUS….I love these Lamb Lollipops. I have made these several time for when there was a special event at my home. They have always been a huge hit every time I have served them. This is a fantastic recipe and so delicious full of flavor.

      • Reply
      • E.S

      Of course, I’m a stucker for anything Lamb!!! Delicious……

      • Reply
    Grilled Lamb Lollipops Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What's the difference between lamb chops and lamb lollipops? ›

    So what exactly is a lamb lollipop? It's a lamb chop, but with the bone frenched (cleaned by a butcher) so that you can hold and eat it just like the stick on a lollipop. This makes lamb chops into finger food, perfect for serving h'orderve style.

    At what temperature do you grill lamb chops? ›

    Lamb chops should be grilled at 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Once seasoned, you are ready to preheat your Traeger Grill. Set it to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and close the lid for 15 minutes to allow it to heat. Once the grill is preheated, you're ready to cook.

    How long to smoke lamb lollipops? ›

    Smoke your lamb.

    Place the lamb chops directly on the grill grates and smoke for 45 minutes to an hour. You want your lamb to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (130 for medium rare). Flip once about halfway through to ensure an even cook on both sides.

    What to serve with lamb lollipops? ›

    10 Best Side Dishes for Lamb Chops
    • 01 of 10. Wheat Berry Salad with Peas, Radishes, and Dill. ...
    • 02 of 10. Lemon Pea Salad. ...
    • 03 of 10. Couscous Gourmet. ...
    • 04 of 10. Spinach Pomegranate Salad. ...
    • 05 of 10. Quick and Easy Sauteed Spinach. ...
    • 06 of 10. Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Pistachios. ...
    • 07 of 10. ...
    • 08 of 10.
    Dec 16, 2020

    What is the best cut of lamb for grilling? ›

    The best cuts to go for are the loin, leg, rump, and ribs. You can grill up these cuts just as you would pork or beef, but you will get something extra, namely a tough, strong flavor meal. The secret of cooking lamb and mutton is in the tenderizing and marinating.

    What cut of meat is best for lamb chops? ›

    The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

    Is it better to grill or pan fry lamb chops? ›

    Ultimately, the choice between grilling or frying depends on personal taste preferences and the desired outcome in terms of flavor and texture. Grilled Lamb Chops with Ammoglio Sauce is the perfect dish to enjoy once the temperatures warm up.

    Should lamb be room temp before grilling? ›

    Before you begin the cooking process, be sure to remove your lamb from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This helps to ensure that the lamb cooks evenly and that you get an accurate temperature reading.

    How long should lamb stay on the grill? ›

    Move lamb to hot side of grill and cook until browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 120°F for rare or 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare. Transfer to a platter and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

    Are lollipop lamb chops healthy? ›

    57% percent of the fat in lean cuts of lamb is monounsaturated, the same kind of fat found in olive oil. American Lamb is a flavorful, nutrient-rich food and an excellent source of protein, zinc, selenium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6.

    What is the best smoke flavor for lamb? ›

    Commonly used woods for smoking lamb include hickory, applewood, and mesquite. The best wood for smoking is hardwood, such as fruitwood and nut wood, as they burn cleanly and do not contain any harmful resins. As with all smoking, it's essential to look for untreated hardwoods.

    How do you eat lollipop lamb chops? ›

    They are called lamb lollipops because they are eaten by holding the lamb rack bone while eating the meat from it, resembling a lollipop. This can be served in two-bone or one-bone pieces. Since they are individual small cuts, it is best to grill them.

    Are lamb lollipops the same as lamb chops? ›

    Individual bone-in lamb chops are what are also sometimes referred to as lamb lollipops. A rack of lamb can come in two variations as well: Frenched Rack: A few inches of meat have been removed from the end of the bones.

    What flavors compliment lamb? ›

    Which herbs go with lamb (and how to grow them)
    • Rosemary and lamb. With its woody flavour, rosemary is the perfect companion for your favourite lamb dish. ...
    • Mint and lamb. Taking its roots from Middle Eastern dishes, mint is often used when cooking more complex lamb dishes. ...
    • Oregano and lamb. ...
    • Thyme and lamb.

    What does Gordon Ramsay serve with lamb? ›

    This simply prepared (it's rubbed in a paste of just Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs) rack of lamb is best served with equally unfussy vegetable sides, like grilled asparagus or baby artichokes.

    Are lamb shanks the same as lamb chops? ›

    Lamb shoulder is used for stews and casseroles, and often cut into tasty chops. Shank: Lamb shanks come from the latter part of the fore or hind leg, and are best roasted or braised to elicit the juices from the bone. Shanks are almost always cooked in liquid until the meat starts separating from the bone.

    Are lamb chop and lamb rack the same? ›

    The main rib section of the lamb, the rack is made up 16 ribs, also called chops. Although it's made up of two sections, each of 8 ribs, it is mostly sold halved. When sold whole, it's called a double rack of lamb.

    What is the tastiest cut of lamb? ›

    The loin produces the most flavorful and tender cuts of Lamb in our opinion, due to its generous and tasty fat cap. Lamb Loin is located in between the ribs and sirloin. Lamb Loin Chops look like miniature bone-in T-Bone steaks or Porterhouse, that are straightforward to grill or pan-fry.

    Which is better lamb chops or lamb shoulder? ›

    The shoulder is a hard-working and fatty area on the animal, which means that chops from that region are less tender than a rib or loin chop. However, they have a significantly bolder flavor; in my opinion, the trade-off is well worth it.

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