Tender grilled lamb chops rubbed in zhug, a spicy Yemeni green chili condiment with a North African spice rub, Ras el Hanout with hints of cardamom, cumin, and chili peppers served with a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, and red onion drizzled with a lemon-oregano dressing.
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Going Global
Let's travel with these Middle Eastern-inspired tender grilled lamb chops rubbed in zhug, a spicy Yemeni green chili condiment, combined with Ras el Hanout, a North African spice blend with hints of cardamom, cumin, and chili peppers.
Served alongside a fresh salad of heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, and red onion, all drizzled with a zesty lemon-oregano dressing, this dish brings together vibrant, bold flavors perfect for a gourmet dinner at home.
The Zhug Connection
Zhug is a spicy green chili condiment originating from Yemen, now widely enjoyed in Israel due to the migration of Yemeni Jews. This herb and chili pepper blend offers a balanced heat, making it a perfect match for lamb. The reason I love adding zhug to lamb is its harmonious blend of fresh herbs and green chili peppers, creating a vibrant and spicy flavor profile.
If you are also short on time, try my Quick Zhug Sauce recipe, which is a quick recipe version of this sauce that delivers the same punch. Are you looking for authentic Yemen recipes? Check out Sifra and A Yemeniayah's Recipes.
Moroccan Spice Blend
Ras el Hanout is a fragrant spice blend from North Africa, particularly Morocco, featuring a mix of up to 30 spices, including cardamom, cumin, and chili peppers. It is often used to season meats, tagines, and rice dishes.
The reason for using Ras el Hanout in this recipe is its complex, aromatic blend that pairs perfectly with the rich flavor of lamb, elevating the dish to new heights.
Are you looking for authentic Moroccan recipes? Check out My Moroccan Food and Salima's Kitchen.
More Dinner Inspirations
- Vegetarian Ras El Hanout White Bean and Kale Soup
- Curried Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Chickpea Cucumber Salad
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash Spiced Chickpeas Chicken Soup
- Quick and Easy Lean Baharat Spiced Bean and Lamb Stew
Ingredients
Marinate the lamb chops by mixing zhug, Ras el Hanout, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and rubbing the mixture over the lamb, letting it sit for at least 15 minutes. Prepare the lemon-oregano dressing by preheating a grill pan, grilling halved lemons for 5-6 minutes, and whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Grill the lamb chops for 4-5 minutes per side until done, then let them rest. For serving, combine mixed greens, sliced tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives, drizzle with the dressing, add cucumbers, and top with the lamb chops.
Culinary Glossary
This section provides concise definitions of key ingredients and techniques to enhance understanding and improve cooking skills related to this recipe.
- Double-Boned Lamb Chops - Double-boned lamb chops are tender cuts of lamb that include two rib bones, offering a larger portion with extra flavor and juiciness, often preferred for grilling or roasting.
- Zhug - Also known as Zhoug or Shug, is a spicy green chili condiment from Yemen made from green chili peppers, fresh herbs, garlic, cumin, coriander, and various spices blended with olive oil.
- Ras el Hanout - A North African spice blend typically made of cardamom, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, dried ginger, chili peppers, and turmeric.
- Mixed Greens - Mixed greens are a combination of various leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, arugula, spinach, and kale, often used as the base for salads.
- Tomatoes - Get creative and use tri-color heirloom, grape, or cherry tomatoes.
- Cucumbers - Use Persian cucumbers, which are smaller, thin-skinned, nearly seedless, and known for their crisp texture and mild, sweet flavor, making them a perfect complement to this salad.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in the dressing for a more in-depth earthy flavor.
- Kalamata Olives - Dark purple olives from Greece are known for their rich, fruity flavor and are commonly used in Greek salad.
- Oregano - Oregano is a fragrant herb commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, known for its robust, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor with hints of pepper and mint.
- Grilled Lemon - Grilling lemons brings out their natural sweetness and adds a smoky depth to their juice, making it more flavorful for dressings and marinades. The process allows for the caramelization of the oils and flesh, giving the dressing a bright flavor.
See the recipe card for quantities below.
Instructions
Follow the instructions and cooking tips below using the step-by-step picture guide.
Prepping the Lamb
To make double-bone lamb chops, first remove the extra meat (right) and slice after two bones (left).
Make sure to slice right between the two bones for even meat distribution.
For presentation, you can also scrap meat off the bone and trim the fat. Leave some fat on because fat is flavor, after all.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Purchased: 06/07/2022
Update: 08/19/24
My Review: These Fotouzy Cutting Board Mats are fantastic! They adhere well to granite, and I often use the “yellow chicken,” “green banana,” and “red cow” mats to prevent cross-contamination. The color coding helps me keep raw poultry, fruit, and red meat separate, protecting my wooden board from raw juices. They're flexible, easy to clean, and store, and a damp paper towel underneath keeps them in place. You can see them in action in my Chicken Prepping post in Cook's Notebook.
These BPA-free, non-porous mats are dishwasher-safe and feature anti-skid backing for secure use, making them a must-have for any kitchen.
Update 08/19/24: I still have these but prefer the cutting boards over the mats. And the mats are not steady. But they are dishwasher safe and wide enough to cover my wooden cutting board and great for when I zest and need to transfer them instead of scraping them off my board. So, I gave this a 3 out of 5.
Cucumber Slicing Trick
Use a peeler to make thin cucumber ribbons. This works best with Persian Cucumbers due to their small size.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Purchased: 10/17/21
Update: 08/19/24
My Review: This knife is well-made. Super solid and multi-functional. It is made with high-carbon steel, so it will not rust. Slicing meat like fish is easier with the grooves. It doesn’t stick to the knife. The handle has an excellent grip, and it's not heavy. For some background, a Santoku is a versatile Japanese kitchen knife characterized by its straight edge and "sheepsfoot" blade, designed for slicing, dicing, and chopping with precision. Its name means "three virtues," referring to its ability to handle meat, fish, and vegetables efficiently, making it a staple in both professional and home kitchens.
The Recipe
Creating a wet rub for seasoning allows the seasoning to adhere to the meat.
To allow the seasoning to stick, make sure to pat dry the lamb to remove excess moisture.
Grilling lemons boosts the flavor of the lemon, creating a more in-depth flavor for the dressing.
Get the Lodge Cast Iron 10.5 Inch Square Cast Iron Grill Pan.
Allowing it to sit on the grill grates for 5 to 6 minutes is sufficient time.
Since the dressing will be blended by hand, all ingredients must be minced.
Squeeze the lemon juice straight into the ingredients. If it is not seedless, squeeze it into a strainer.
Slowly drizzle the olive oil while whisking with the other hand. Or use a small food chopper or blender or immersion (hand) blender.
Grill the fat side down to render the fat.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Purchased: December 10, 2023
My Review: I love the clean, classic look of this Pyrex 3-piece glass mixing bowl set—it’s a staple in my kitchen. Pyrex is known for its durability, and these bowls definitely live up to that reputation. I use them for everything from mixing batters to storing leftovers, and the fact that they’re microwave-safe makes them super multifunctional. They’re also easy to clean and stack nicely in the cabinet. The only reason this isn’t a five-star for me is because I always have that little fear of breaking them when I’m using or storing them, even though they’re made to last.
If grilling on all three sides, make sure to divide the total cooking time into thirds for each side.
Place it on the side to rest, like a cutting board, and allow the juices to redistribute, making it a juicy, tender lamb.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Review: The Lodge 10.5-inch Cast Iron Square Grill Pan with the red silicone handle has become my go-to for indoor grilling. I love how it gives my proteins, seafood, and vegetables those beautiful grill marks and a delicious charred flavor without having to fire up the outdoor grill. The compact size is super convenient, especially when cooking for one or two, and it heats evenly, as you’d expect from good cast iron. If you're grilling kebabs, I recommend using smaller skewers—7 inches works best—since the 10.5 inches is measured from the wide top rim, not the actual grill base. This pan brings the outdoor grilling vibe right into your kitchen!
Combine all salad ingredients except for the delicate cucumber slices.
Then add and gently fold it in and plate.
Substitutions
Dairy Free
- Yay! This recipe is already dairy-free.
Gluten-Free
- Whooohooo! This recipe is already gluten-free.
Vegetarian
- Double-Boned Lamb Chops - Replace lamb chops with marinated and grilled tofu or portobello mushrooms for a delicious vegetarian option. Serve with the same vibrant salad and lemon-oregano dressing. Or check out Seitan Society and Gourmandell's recipe for lamb.
Convenience
- Zhug - Substitute with another chili paste with a similar flavor profile, like harissa.
- Ras el Hanout - Use a blend of common spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon or another fragrant spice blend like yellow curry powder or a shawarma spice blend.
- Kalamata Olives - Substitute with any pitted black olives.
- Olive Oil - Use vegetable oil or any neutral cooking oil.
Change Heat Level - Modify the recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.
Variations
- Boost the dressing's flavor by using lemon zest. Learn more about zesting.
- Air Fried Zhug Ras el Hanout Marinated Lamb Chops - Try this convenient way by using single-boned lamb chops, evenly spread out in the fryer basket and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even cooking.
Raw Marinated Lamb Chops
Air Fried Lamb Chops
Equipment Recommendations
- Grill Pan: A durable cast iron grill pan is essential for searing lamb chops and creating those beautiful grill marks. For this recipe, I used the Lodge Cast Iron 10.5-inch square pan, but any good quality cast iron or even a heavy duty non-stick grill pan will work.
- Hand Blender/Whisk: A reliable hand blender, like the KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender, makes quick work of emulsifying the dressing. Alternatively, a standard whisk can also be used.
- Mixing Bowls: A set of good sized mixing bowls, like the Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece set, is essential for marinating the lamb and preparing the dressing.
- Cutting Board: A sturdy cutting board is needed to rest the lamb chops after cooking. I used a wooden cutting board from Royal Craft Wood, but any wood, or plastic cutting board will work.
Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Review: The Lodge 10.5-inch Cast Iron Square Grill Pan with the red silicone handle has become my go-to for indoor grilling. I love how it gives my proteins, seafood, and vegetables those beautiful grill marks and a delicious charred flavor without having to fire up the outdoor grill. The compact size is super convenient, especially when cooking for one or two, and it heats evenly, as you’d expect from good cast iron. If you're grilling kebabs, I recommend using smaller skewers—7 inches works best—since the 10.5 inches is measured from the wide top rim, not the actual grill base. This pan brings the outdoor grilling vibe right into your kitchen!
Storage
- Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, place the lamb chops in a shallow 2-inch container to cool down quickly. Then, store it in an airtight container. The lamb will last up to three days, while the salad will last two and the dressing one week.
- Freezer - Follow the refrigeration process mentioned above for the lamb. Then, place it in the freezer in a labeled, airtight container. I do not recommend freezing the salad.
For meal prep, I typically use Freshware Meal Prep Containers.
Airtight Food Containers
I interchange glass food storage containers with plastic clipping lids or wooden push-ins. I always suggest glass storage containers because they can be microwaved, they hold food without staining, and the glass keeps the food at a more stable temperature, keeping it fresher and longer.
Try the OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Food Storage Containers or the Pyrex Freshlock Glass Food Storage Containers.
Cooking Tip
Your Cooking Tips Resource Guide - Become a better home cook with tips to help you cook more efficiently on the Cook's Notebook tab.
Juicy Lamb Chops - For maximum flavor, let the marinated lamb chops rest for a few minutes after grilling to allow the meat juices to redistribute. Learn more about Prepping Lamb.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be found at most well-stocked grocery stores, specialty spice shops, or online retailers, like Ras El Hanout by Spice + Leaf.
If you prefer to make it from scratch, combine equal parts ground cardamom, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and paprika, along with smaller amounts of ground cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cayenne pepper.
Adjust the proportions to suit your taste, and store the blend in an airtight container for up to six months.
Yes, you can marinate the lamb chops up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator.
You can use a mix of green chili paste and fresh herbs as a substitute for zhug.
Absolutely, this rub works well with chicken, beef, or even tofu.
The dressing can be stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Serve with pita bread, baba ghanoush, or garlicky hummus for a complete meal.
Red Meat Recipes
Looking for other red-meat recipes like this? Try these:
- Jerk Fajita Trio: 3 Must-Try Recipes for a Spicy Weeknight Cook-Up
- Air Fryer Chicken and Pork Belly Tacos | Easy & Crispy
- Jerk Steak Fajitas | Super Easy 30 Minute Meal
- How to Make Easy Bacon Potato Leek Chowder | Creamy Comfort
Middle Eastern Recipes
Looking for other Middle Eastern-inspired recipes like this? Try these:
- Beituti Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowl | Quick and Easy
- Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma | Quick with Beituti
- Quick Parsley Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
- Marinated Sumac Onions | Easy and Quick
📖 Recipe
Grilled Zhug Ras el Hanout Lamb Chops and Tomato Salad
Ingredients
For the Lamb Chops
- 8 double-boned lamb chops about 2-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons zhug Yemeni hot sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons Ras el Hanout seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Salad
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 8 medium tomatoes wedges
- 1 cucumber sliced
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives halved
For the Lemon-Oregano Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablspoon grilled lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 garlic clove
- Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Equipment
- Whisk optional
- Cutting Board optional
Instructions
- Save time in the kitchen: Read the instructions thoroughly, then gather and prep all your ingredients before cooking! Learn Prepping Tips.
- Marinate the Lamb Chops: Mix the zhug, Ras el Hanout, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Rub the mixture over the lamb chops, ensuring they are well-coated. Then, let them marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Lemon-Oregano Dressing: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. While waiting for the pan to heat, mince the garlic. Next, cut the lemon in half and grill the lemon cut side down for about 5 to 6 minutes. Then, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl and set aside.
- Grill the Lamb Chops: Grill the lamb chops for about 4-5 minutes per side (for a total of 8 to 10 minutes) or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Then, remove them from heat and rest on a cutting board for a few minutes, allowing the meat juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Combine the mixed greens, sliced tomatoes, red onion, and halved Kalamata olives in a large bowl, except for the thinly sliced cucumbers. Then, drizzle the lemon-oregano dressing over the salad and toss. Add and gently toss the cucumber with the salad and plate. Finally, top each plate with 2 double-boned lamb chops.
Video
Nutrition
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Have a Comment or Question?
If you have a question or comment about this Grilled Zhug Ras El Hanout Lamb Chops and Tomato Salad recipe, please post it below. You will definitely get a quick response. It also helps our other readers to stay informed. Thanks!
Sayaka B. says
The flavors were perfectly balanced. Can't beat lamb and spices. So good!
Maika says
Look who you are talking to! lol, same! Thanks for trying it out, I hope it becomes a fave.