What To Serve With Lamb Chops
What to serve with lamb chops – inspiration and recipes for side dishes to serve with this beautiful cut of meat!
Lamb chops are super versatile, and whether you’re looking for a quick midweek meal for the family, or something special that you can serve up at a weekend dinner party, there are plenty of options that will tick these boxes.
First of all, you’ll want to ensure that you’re selecting the right meat for the job.
A loin, rib, or sirloin chop is preferable, as you won’t need to add a marinade or consider any fussy preparation to make sure that it’s nice and tender.
Try to find chops that are around an inch thick, with a light red colour and an even distribution of fat.
They’re often best simply grilled over a medium heat until medium rare, and allowed to rest for around 5 minutes so the juices can be absorbed back into the meat.
Once you’ve got that sorted, you’ll want to consider what to serve with lamb chops.
Here are some choices that you can explore…
1. Roasted vegetables
The first suggestion is a nod to tradition.
Roasted vegetables are simple to prepare and quick to cook.
Prepare some chunks of parsnip, potato and sweet potato.
Add some small florets of cauliflower and broccoli.
Include some carrot batons and chunks of leek. Put the carrots, parsnip and the potatoes on a flat baking tray and spray with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder.
Roast in the oven at 180o C for around ten minutes and then add the cauliflower, broccoli and leek.
Return to the oven for another 15 minutes and then test with a fork.
The vegetables should feel tender once they’re cooked.
They should also have a light crispy look. If the vegetables are not quite done, just pop them back in the oven for another 5 minutes or so, making sure you keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
2. Hasselback potatoes
Hasselback potatoes are simple to prepare, easy to cook, and look attractive on the dinner table.
You will need 5 or 6 large white potatoes – a general purpose variety like King Edward will be fine.
Also have some olive oil, garlic cloves, and rosemary sprigs to hand.
Begin by scrubbing the potatoes and drying them by patting with kitchen roll. Slice them thinly from the top, but not all the way through.
Stop cutting just before you reach the bottom of each potato.
Place them in a ceramic oven dish that has been brushed with olive oil and sprinkle generously with more olive oil.
Thinly slice 8 garlic cloves and slot a slice of garlic into alternate slits in the potatoes.
Then push a small sprig of rosemary into the empty slits.
Bake in a hot oven – 180oC – for about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with more olive oil. Bake for a further 35 minutes or until the potatoes are crisp and cooked through.
Serve garnished with fresh rosemary.
3. Tabbouleh
If you want something a little bit different to accompany your lamb chops, try tabbouleh.
This is a Lebanese recipe that will complement your meal while adding a little spice.
Begin with 25g bulgar wheat that has been soaked and covered for 30 minutes in 200ml boiling water.
Then take 2 large tomatoes and about 4 spring onions and finely chop them. Add these to the bulgar wheat.
Next, chop the leaves from a large bunch of flat leaf parsley and a small bunch of mint (wash both in cold water first).
Then prepare a teaspoonful of Baharat spice (mix paprika, black pepper, cumin, cassia, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and coriander seed in a pestle and mortar).
Add the spice to the bowl along with the juice of 1 lemon.
Mix in the chopped mint and parsley with 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch or two of salt.
Just add more flavourings if you want more spice or salt.
Serve in an attractive bowl scattered with pomegranate seeds.
4. Griddled courgette and feta salad
If you’re looking for a light and summery meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight, lamb chops with griddled courgette and feta salad really fits the bill.
The spring veggies and the fresh herbs bring plenty of personality to the plate, and the dressing has a satisfying kick from a sprinkling of chilli flakes.
This is also a good option for what to serve with lamb chops if you’re planning to fire up the barbecue.
Simply serve the salad on a platter, and allow your guests to help themselves.
5. Moroccan couscous
Moroccan couscous is light, fresh, and full of plenty of vegetables for extra texture and flavour.
It’s also really easy to prepare, and if you’d like, you can make it in advance and simply chill until you’re ready to serve.
The spice mix typically used to give this side dish its Moroccan flavour includes cumin, ginger, cloves, cayenne pepper, cardamon, coriander, and allspice.
You might also want to consider adding chopped nuts, like pistachio or almond, and raisins.
A few sprigs of fresh mint makes the perfect garnish, and you might want to consider adding a dollop of homemade cucumber raita on the side.
(Love Moroccan food? Check out what to serve with tagine for more ideas).
6. Roasted heritage carrots
Heritage carrots are a vibrant and colourful addition to a meal, and they’re great partners for lamb chops.
A good greengrocer should be able to supply these, or you may have to go along to an Asian food market. These carrots are long and will be either purple, orange, or creamy white. Buy a selection of colours to make an attractive dish.
Firstly, cut the tops from the carrots, but leave a couple of inches of the stems on each carrot. Then toss them in olive oil and season them with black pepper and sea salt. Spread them out on a flat baking tray and roast in an oven at 180OC for 20 minutes or until they are tender.
A great accompaniment for the carrots is a mint and lemon dressing.
Take 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the zest on 1 lemon and its juice. You will also need 2 teaspoons of brown sugar (or honey), 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, some salt, and a small handful of mint finely chopped.
Mix all these ingredients together, and toss the roasted carrots in the dressing.
7. Pea soup
If you’re serving your lamb chops at dinner time, or you’re planning a special dinner party and you’re looking for an option that’s classy and elegant, a creamy pea soup makes a fantastic accompaniment.
You keep things super simple and straightforward, or experiment with some more creative pea soup recipes.
Some of my personal favourites include:
- Pea and mint soup
- Pea and pesto soup
- Cucumber, pea, and lettuce soup
- Broccoli and pea soup
Remember that you can make life easier by keeping some frozen peas readily available. With just a few extra ingredients, you can have a beautiful pea soup in hardly any time at all.
8. Spicy chickpeas
Chop a cauliflower into bitesized florets and add to a hot frying pan with 2 teaspoons of cumin seeds and 2 teaspoons of harissa paste.
Sizzle for one minute, then add 200ml of water and bring to the boil for 5 minutes. Stir in a tin of chickpeas, and bubble for a further 2 minutes. Add a squeeze of fresh orange juice, and a little freshly chopped parsley.
Serve with chunks of sourdough bread to mop up all the fragrant juices.
This one is a quick but satisfying option when you’re not sure what to serve with lamb chops.
9. Garlic potato salad
Imagine a warm potato salad, made with baby potatoes that are roasted until delectably crispy on the outside, and pleasingly fluffy on the inside.
This is another dish that lends itself to being served as a barbecue or a dinner party, and the garlicky creaminess somehow manages to be indulgent but light all at the same time.
I’m a huge fan of this garlic lover’s potato salad recipe, and it’s a staple side dish that I serve again and again over the warmer months.
10. Stuffed aubergine
Stuffed aubergines are a lovely side dish to serve with lamb chops, and you have plenty of options available to suit your own tastes.
Some options include rice, mint, red onion, pomegranate, feta, pine nuts, tomato sauce, and manchego cheese.
11. Roasted radishes
Gentle roasting with olive oil will give you radishes that are beautifully caramelised and fork tender.
That vibrant deep pink colour will also look so inviting when served up on a plate. During the spring months, they tend to be smaller and more delicate, making them such a treat when you’re working out what to serve with lamb chops.
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If you’ve tried any of these side dishes, leave a comment and let us know what you think. I love hearing about your adventures in the kitchen!
