Ina Garten’s Heavenly Greek Lamb With Yogurt Mint Sauce Recipe

Greek lamb comes alive with bold marinades and tender textures.

Mediterranean spices soak into every fiber, enhancing natural flavor.

A yogurt-mint sauce adds brightness that cuts through the richness.

Each bite balances hearty meat with herbal freshness.

It’s rustic in spirit but refined in execution.

Even a simple plate feels special with this timeless combination.

Why Greek Lamb With Yogurt Mint Sauce Tastes So Balanced

• Sizzle with Mediterranean Flavors: This lamb recipe bursts with authentic Greek taste sensations, blending rosemary, oregano, and lemon into a vibrant marinade that transforms ordinary meat into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Master Easy Grilling Techniques: Perfect for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results, the recipe offers straightforward grilling instructions that guarantee tender, juicy lamb chops with professional-level precision in just 4-5 minutes per side.
• Elevate with Refreshing Sauce Pairing: The cool, tangy yogurt mint sauce creates a stunning temperature and flavor contrast that cuts through the rich lamb, delivering a bright, herbaceous complement that makes each bite incredibly balanced and exciting.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Enjoyment: By combining simple ingredients and smart marinating techniques, this dish allows home chefs to create a gourmet meal with minimal kitchen effort, making it perfect for impressive weeknight dinners or weekend entertaining.

What Goes Into Greek Lamb With Yogurt Mint Sauce

Main Ingredients:

Lamb Chops: High-quality, bone-in lamb chops with good marbling for tender and flavorful meat. Fresh, thick-cut chops from a local butcher are ideal.

Red Wine: Dry red wine adds depth and helps tenderize the meat. Choose a full-bodied wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

Marinade Ingredients:

Herbs and Spices: – Rosemary, Oregano: Aromatic Mediterranean herbs that provide robust, earthy flavor to the lamb. Fresh herbs offer more intense taste.

• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds complexity and depth to the marinade. Fresh garlic cloves provide the best flavor.

Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances the meat’s natural taste. Kosher or sea salt works best for even distribution.

Sauce Ingredients:

Yogurt Sauce Components: – Greek Yogurt: Thick, creamy base that provides tangy and cool contrast to the grilled lamb. Full-fat yogurt ensures rich texture.

• Fresh Mint: Bright, refreshing herb that complements the lamb's richness. Freshly chopped mint leaves are crucial.
• Lemon Juice: Acidic element that balances the yogurt and adds brightness. Fresh lemon juice is recommended.

Liquid Ingredients:

Marinade Liquids: – Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and keeps lamb moist during cooking. Extra virgin olive oil provides best taste.

• Lemon Juice: Adds acidity and helps tenderize the meat. Fresh citrus juice is preferred.

How to Cook Greek Lamb with Bright, Herby Notes

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Fresh garlic cloves
• Fragrant rosemary sprigs
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pulse ingredients until finely chopped. Pour in fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and robust red wine. Blend until smooth and vibrant.

Step 2: Marinate Succulent Lamb Chops

Place lamb chops in a glass or ceramic dish in a single layer. Generously coat each chop with the marinade, ensuring every inch is covered. Wrap dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for minimum 2 hours, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate the meat. Overnight marination creates maximum taste explosion.

Step 3: Prepare Grilling Station

Set up grill with hot coals or preheat gas grill to medium-high temperature. Remove lamb from marinade and season with additional salt and pepper.

Step 4: Grill To Perfection

Cook lamb chops 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Adjust cooking time based on preferred doneness. Look for beautiful caramelized exterior and juicy interior.

Step 5: Let Meat Rest

Transfer grilled lamb to serving platter. Cover completely with aluminum foil. Allow meat to rest 10 minutes, letting juices redistribute for maximum tenderness.

Step 6: Whip Up Cooling Yogurt Mint Sauce

• Creamy plain yogurt
• Freshly chopped mint leaves
• Zesty lemon juice
• Pinch of salt

Stir until ingredients are well blended. Refrigerate until serving time.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Plate hot lamb chops alongside chilled yogurt mint sauce. Garnish with extra mint leaves if desired. Enjoy your Mediterranean-inspired feast!

Tips for Perfect Greek Lamb With Yogurt Mint Sauce

• Maximize Herb Freshness: Pick rosemary and mint leaves right before cooking to capture their most intense aromatics and ensure the marinade delivers maximum flavor depth.
• Master Overnight Marinating: Allow lamb to soak in marinade for 8-12 hours, giving spices and herbs ample time to tenderize and infuse meat with rich Mediterranean-inspired tastes.
• Perfect Grill Temperature Control: Aim for medium-high heat around 400-425°F, creating beautiful caramelized exterior while maintaining a juicy, tender interior for lamb chops.
• Rest Meat for Optimal Juiciness: Let grilled lamb sit untouched for 10 minutes after cooking, allowing internal juices to redistribute and ensuring each bite remains succulent and flavorful.
• Chill Yogurt Sauce Strategically: Refrigerate mint yogurt sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance its cool, creamy texture and provide a refreshing contrast to hot grilled lamb.

Storage Tips for Greek Lamb With Yogurt Mint Sauce

• Refrigerate: Preserve the succulent lamb by letting it cool naturally after your meal. Nestle the meat in an airtight container, creating a protective seal that locks in moisture and flavor. Keep the yogurt mint sauce in a separate container to maintain its fresh, vibrant taste. This method guarantees delicious leftovers that taste nearly as good as the first serving, lasting up to 3 days in the chilled sanctuary of your refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transform leftover lamb into a future quick meal by preparing it for the freezer. Wrap each piece carefully in heavy-duty aluminum foil or place in a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Your carefully preserved lamb will remain delectable for up to 3 months, ready to be revived with minimal effort.

Unique Twists for Greek Lamb and Yogurt Sauce Fans

• Herb Fusion Lamb: Replace rosemary with thyme and add fresh parsley to the marinade for an earthy, complex flavor profile that enhances the lamb's natural richness.
• Mediterranean Spice Blend: Incorporate cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika into the marinade to create a deeper, more intense Mediterranean-inspired seasoning that transforms the traditional recipe.
• Citrus Infusion Chops: Swap red wine with orange juice and add orange zest to the marinade, introducing a bright, tangy undertone that complements the lamb's robust character.
• Smoky Grilling Technique: Use wood chips like hickory or applewood during grilling to impart a subtle smoky essence that elevates the lamb's natural flavors and adds depth to the dish.

A Flavorful Finish to Greek Lamb With Yogurt Mint Sauce

Culinary magic unfolds with Ina Garten’s Greek lamb recipe, where Mediterranean flavors dance across your plate.

Mediterranean ingredients intertwine, creating a symphony of taste that transports palates straight to Greek islands.

Succulent lamb chops marinated in aromatic herbs tell stories of traditional kitchen wisdom passed through generations.

Complex layers of rosemary, garlic, and red wine elevate this dish beyond ordinary meal preparations.

Grilling transforms these chops into tender masterpieces that whisper Mediterranean culinary secrets.

Salt, pepper, and mint yogurt sauce complete this gastronomic journey, inviting passionate cooks to explore, savor, and share this incredible recipe that promises pure deliciousness.

Ready to become a kitchen hero?

Click that share button, drop a comment celebrating Greek cuisine, and spread the love!

Ina Garten Greek Lamb With Yogurt Mint Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Greek lamb combines succulent roasted meat with a refreshing mint yogurt sauce that whispers Mediterranean charm. Elegant yet simple, this recipe invites home cooks to experience authentic Greek flavors with remarkable ease and delicious results.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 racks of lamb, frenched and cut into 8 chops each

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1.5 teaspoons dried oregano
• 4 large garlic cloves
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Liquids and Additions:

• 0.5 cups (120 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
• 0.5 cups (120 milliliters) good olive oil
• 0.5 cups (120 milliliters) dry red wine
• Yogurt Mint Sauce

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Instructions

1. Create a vibrant marinade by pulverizing garlic, rosemary, oregano, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ¾ teaspoon black pepper in a food processor until finely textured. Incorporate fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and robust red wine, blending until achieving a smooth, aromatic consistency.
2. Arrange lamb chops in a single layer within a glass or ceramic dish. Generously coat each chop with the prepared marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Seal with plastic wrap and allow flavors to meld in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, though overnight marination will intensify the taste profile.
3. Prepare the grilling surface by establishing a single layer of hot charcoal or preheating a gas grill to medium-high temperature (approximately 375-400°F or 190-204°C). Extract lamb chops from marinade and season thoroughly with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Position lamb chops on the heated grill, cooking for 4-5 minutes per side to achieve a perfect medium-rare doneness. Adjust cooking time slightly based on thickness and personal preference for meat temperature.
5. Once grilled, transfer lamb chops to a serving platter. Immediately tent with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes, enabling internal juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
6. Craft a refreshing yogurt mint sauce by combining thick Greek yogurt, finely chopped fresh mint leaves, a splash of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Whisk ingredients until thoroughly integrated and refrigerate briefly to enhance flavor melding.
7. Present the succulent lamb chops while still hot, accompanied by the chilled, vibrant mint yogurt sauce. Garnish with additional fresh mint leaves for an elegant touch.

Notes

• Chill yogurt sauce separately to maintain its cool, creamy texture and ensure a refreshing contrast with hot lamb chops.
• Grill lamb over precise medium-high heat for perfect sear, avoiding burning or undercooking the meat.
• Allow grilled lamb to rest for 10 minutes, helping juices redistribute and guaranteeing maximum tenderness.
• Maximize flavor by marinating lamb overnight, enabling herbs and seasonings to deeply penetrate the meat.
• Select fresh rosemary and mint over dried herbs to elevate the marinade’s overall taste and aromatic profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 376 kcal
• Sugar: 3.3 g
• Sodium: 563 mg
• Fat: 31.6 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 mg
• Carbohydrates: 11.5 g
• Fiber: 4.1 g
• Protein: 5.7 g
• Cholesterol: 2.5 mg