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    Home » Recipes » Lamb

    Garlic & Herb Rack of Lamb

    Published: Nov 16, 2020 Modified: Nov 16, 2020 by Candice

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    Sliced rack of lamb on a plate.
    Rack of lamb standing upright on a plate.
    Seasoned rack of lamb.
    Ingredients to make rack of lamb.
    Rack of lamb standing upright on a plate.

    Lamb is an incredible, flavorful meat to cook and I love using it in my recipes! Lamb can seem like an intimidating meat to cook, but it doesn't have to be! People often think of it as a high-end or special occasion dish, but this version is easily accessible to make at home.

    This Garlic and Herb Rack of Lamb is a tried and true classic dish, featuring locally sourced American lamb. 

    Rack of lamb standing upright on a plate.

    This recipe is part of an ongoing partnership with the American Lamb Board, my go-to resource for education and expertise on American lamb. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 Why You Should Make this Recipe
    2 Cooking with American Lamb
    3 What You Need to Make this Recipe
    4 How to Cook Garlic and Herb Rack of Lamb
    5 What to Serve with Rack of Lamb
    6 Rack of Lamb FAQs
    7 Fan of Lamb?
    8 Garlic & Herb Lamb

    Why You Should Make this Recipe

    If you’re looking to try a dish with American lamb, this is a great place to start because it’s so easy, quick, and if you make sure to use a meat thermometer, it comes out perfectly every time. 

    This recipe is versatile because it works for both lamb chops and rack of lamb, so you can choose whichever is your favorite and work with that. You can just adjust the cook time accordingly with the cut you choose. 

    Personally, I like to cook the lamb in double chops, which means I cut them into pairs of two. I do this because it helps you get just the right amount of surface area to have a ton of flavor on the meat surface, while still maintaining enough thickness to keep it incredibly juicy and cooked perfectly medium-rare. 

    This recipe is also excellent to introduce as part of a proportional diet. I try to have a higher ratio of vegetables to meat in my diet, and one of the reasons I do this is so that when I do buy and cook meat like lamb, I can put the time and effort into prioritizing locally sourced, high-quality meat. I want to be able to enjoy the best quality meat that I can and reducing the frequency that I eat it and portion size allows me to do that.

    Cooking with American Lamb

    I love to source local ingredients for my recipes, as I think it’s important to support local farmers and businesses as well as choose products that have sustainability in mind. I like to cook with American lamb because the small-scale production means that more attention is paid to good treatment of the animals, and maintaining the nutrient integrity of the pastures where they graze. 

    Being able to maintain pastures and rangelands is a huge part of sustainable sheep farming; allowing animals to overgraze actually harms the landscape and kills plant species in the long run. Local American lamb production also supports over 80,000 family farmers, so I like to do my bit to support these communities!

    What You Need to Make this Recipe

    Rack of lamb ingredients on a marble countertop.

    lamb cut - you can use either rack or chops in this recipe.

    herbes de Provence - a spice blend that usually contains Provence spices like thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram, oregano and often a touch of lavender. If you cannot find it at your local store and are looking for a simple substitution, dried rosemary works great in this recipe.

    garlic - if you don’t have fresh garlic handy, you can substitute with ¾ teaspoon powdered garlic and apply it directly to the lamb after the herbes de Provence. If using garlic salt, you will need 1 ½ teaspoons garlic salt and make sure to not add any additional salt to the recipe.

    How to Cook Garlic and Herb Rack of Lamb

    First, slice the lamb chops into pairs of two, lay out the lamb, and sprinkle each side with the Herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper. This double-chop thickness is just right for this recipe. 

    Note: The thinner the meat, the worse chance you have of achieving the perfect medium-rare cook. This is because, as you heat the meat, the heat penetrates towards the center so a thinner piece cooks all the way through much more quickly. 

    Seasoned rack of lamb.

    Next, blend, whisk, or mix in a food processor the garlic, dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar together to make the dressing. Spoon the vinaigrette dressing on just one side of the lamb.

    Pouring sauce over rack of lamb.

    Broil the lamb in the oven on high, until the top side is browned. This should take about 5 minutes. Then, flip the lamb over, and spoon the vinaigrette dressing on the other side of the lamb. Broil on the second side for 5 more minutes. Then turn the oven temperature to 350F and roast until the lamb’s internal temperature reads 135F. Pull from oven and let rest until internal temp reaches 145F (medium-rare). See note below for USDA internal temperature guidelines.

    Note: The USDA recommends 145F minimum internal temperature for lamb with a 3-minute rest, 145F (medium-rare) or 160F (medium). I take the lamb out of the oven around 135F and rest it for up to 10 minutes to get up to USDA’s end temperature of 145F because I prefer it more rare. It does continue to cook slightly once removed from the oven.

    Sliced rack of lamb on a plate.

    Let the lamb rest an additional 5 minutes before serving.

    What to Serve with Rack of Lamb

    In terms of flavor, the herbs en Provence seasons the lamb beautifully, with the savory flavor of the meat complementing the sweetness from the honey and the tart flavor from the balsamic vinegar. The sauce works double duty, as it seasons the lamb initially and then I like to serve it after cooking as a sauce to drizzle over the lamb. This roast rack of lamb pairs well with practically any side; serve with grains, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, salad...it’s up to you! 

    • Roasted Sweet Baby Broccoli with Piquillo Pepper Romesco
    • Herb Salad with Pomegranate Miso Dressing
    • Baked Sweet Potato Fries

    Rack of Lamb FAQs

    How many does a rack of lamb serve?

    Depending on the size of the rack, a rack of lamb can serve anywhere from 2-4 people. The average weight is 1.6-2.2 pounds, but you can find them anywhere from 1-3 lbs.

    What is one serving of rack of lamb?

    We serve 3-4 chops per person with generous side dishes.

    Do you trim the fat on a lamb rack?

    Yes, trim most of the fat. The fat adds a great flavor, but if you leave it all it won't render down properly and you will be left with an unpleasant fat layer. Further, if you are cooking it over fire or under a broiler, it can catch fire.

    Lamb chops vs. racks?

    The chops are cut either from the racks, loin, or the shoulder. The racks are always from the rib section of the lamb.

    Cooked lamb chops and rack of lamb.

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    Fan of Lamb?

    Peruse all my lamb recipes, or check out my personal favorites:

    • Pomegranate Molasses Lamb
    • Lamb Stuffed Piquillo Peppers with Avocado Lime Sauce
    • Sesame Thyme Rack of Lamb
    • Sumac Roasted Lamb with Simple Salad

    If you love American Lamb, or this recipe has piqued your curiosity, you should check them out on Instagram and Facebook at @fanoflamb for more inspiration! They’re currently running the #TheLambChallenge - Holiday Edition, so be sure to comment with a lamb recipe you’ll enjoy for the holidays and you’ll be entered to win a great prize package. 

    ★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

    Rack of lamb standing upright on a plate.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 16 votes

    Garlic & Herb Lamb

    Incredible and flavorful - This Garlic and Herb Rack of Lamb is a tried and true classic dish, that you can make in less than 30 minutes!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Resting Time5 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: American, French
    Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 1080kcal
    Author: Candice

    Equipment

    • Thermometer

    Ingredients

    • 3 lbs racks of lamb cut into double chops
    • 2 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 3 cloves garlic

    Balsamic Dressing

    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup Balsamic vinegar

    Instructions

    • Sprinkle the lamb with Herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper.
    • Blend or food process the garlic, dijon, honey, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
    • Spoon the vinaigrette on one side of the lamb.
    • Broil the lamb in the oven on high, until the top side is browned, ~5 minutes.
    • Flip the lamb. Spoon the vinaigrette on the other side of the lamb.
    • Broil on the second side for 5 more minutes. Then turn the oven temperature to 350F and roast until the lamb’s internal temperature reads 135F. Pull from oven and let rest until internal temp reaches 145F (medium-rare)*.
    • Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    The thinner the meat, the worse chance you have of achieving the perfect medium-rare cook. This is because, as you heat the meat, the heat penetrates towards the center so a thinner piece cooks all the way through much more quickly.
    You should trim most of the fat from the rack before cooking. The fat adds a great flavor, but if you leave it all it won't render down properly and you will be left with an unpleasant fat layer. Furthermore, if you are cooking it over fire or under a broiler, the fat can catch fire, which is dangerous. 
    The USDA recommends 145F minimum internal temperature for lamb with a 3-minute rest, 145F (medium-rare) or 160F (medium). I take the lamb out of the oven around 135F and rest it for up to 10 minutes to get up to USDA’s end temperature of 145F because I prefer it more rare. It does continue to cook slightly once removed from the oven.
    Depending on the size of the rack, a rack of lamb can serve anywhere from 2-4 people. The average weight is 1.6-2.2 pounds, but you can find them anywhere from 1-3 lbs. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1080kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 99g | Saturated Fat: 40g | Cholesterol: 189mg | Sodium: 186mg | Potassium: 499mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 4mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @ProportionalPlate or tag #ProportionalPlate on Instagram! I'd love to see what you're making!

    This post was originally published in January of 2017 but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, and tips in November of 2020.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Veronika

      December 20, 2020 at 11:32 pm

      Wow these are so flavorful and juicy! I'm definitely bookmarking this for making again later.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 22, 2020 at 8:50 am

        I'm so glad to hear it, Veronika... it's a regular over here, too!

        Reply
    2. Tammy

      December 20, 2020 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my God these are GORGEOUS! Your photography is stunning....you captures just how delicious these lamb chops are. I'm was drooling over here over the pictures! So I made them and WOW. Beautiful meal for the holiday season <3

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 22, 2020 at 8:53 am

        That makes me so happy to hear, Tammy! And thank you so much for your kind words. You made my day!

        Reply
    3. Jenny

      December 20, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      I have roasted lamb many times; I usually do the greek version of it. This time I decided to use your recipe, and it was so flavorful! It made a nice change for us. Everyone loved it. The balsamic dressing made an awesome change to my usual garlic and lemon rub. I will definitely be making it again. Thank you so much for this recipe.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 20, 2020 at 5:24 pm

        This makes me so happy to hear... thank you for sharing, Jenny!

        Reply
    4. Elaine

      December 20, 2020 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      I love how you show the ingredients - makes it so much fun to follow the recipe. Was so flavorful, too!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 20, 2020 at 5:25 pm

        That makes me so happy to hear, Elaine. Thank you for letting me know!

        Reply
    5. Eva

      December 18, 2020 at 2:45 am

      5 stars
      Wow, this is incredibly easy! I am one of those who think lamb is somewhat a fancy type of meat, but the simplicity of your recipe is really making me think again. I'm not a beginner cook so I should let go of my self-doubt and dare a bit more when it comes to *fancier* meats. Christmas dinner might well be the perfect occasion to put this recipe- and my skills - to the test in front of family! Thank you for the inspiration and great recipe.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 22, 2020 at 8:53 am

        That makes me so happy to hear, Eva! Can't wait to hear what your family thinks!

        Reply
    6. Marta

      December 17, 2020 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      What a great coincidence! I was gifted a box of cuts of meat and we got a rack of lamb. This was the perfect recipe to prepare it. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 22, 2020 at 8:54 am

        That makes me so happy to hear, Marta... thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    7. Lori

      December 15, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow now this is a showstopper for sure! Your pictures are also STUNNING. And the lamb is so tender and succulent!!! My inlaws are huge lamb lovers and they went nuts over this recipe!

      Reply
      • Candice

        January 02, 2021 at 6:31 pm

        That makes me so happy to hear, Lori! I'm glad they loved it.

        Reply
    8. Kathryn Donangelo

      December 15, 2020 at 7:43 am

      5 stars
      This lamb was cooked to perfection. SO happy I tried this recipe as my husband loves lamb and now I want to make this for the holidays. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 15, 2020 at 9:34 am

        That makes me so happy to hear, Kathryn... glad you have your menu planned and that you loved it!

        Reply
    9. D

      December 14, 2020 at 10:55 pm

      Such great tips included in this post...I've never cooked a rack of lamb but I feel certain I could using your instructions.

      Reply
      • Candice

        January 02, 2021 at 6:33 pm

        That makes me so happy to hear... can't wait to hear how it goes!

        Reply
    10. Gloria

      December 14, 2020 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      Hubby and I LOVE lamb. This is holiday-worthy. Like eating in a five-star restaurant. I know he would love this any night of the week.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 14, 2020 at 5:02 pm

        I'm so glad to hear you both liked it, Gloria!

        Reply
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    Candice Walker

    This food blog is the place where I combine my three food passions to create delicious and exciting recipes to share with you! Inspired by my own mixed heritage and travels around the world, my recipes are often a fusion of different cuisines, and I try to create plant-based versions of my dishes any time I can.

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