• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Beyond Mere Sustenance logo
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home • Main Dishes • Grilled Lamb Chops With Compound Butter

    Grilled Lamb Chops With Compound Butter

    Published: Feb 10, 2016 · Last Modified: Feb 9, 2023 by Beyond Mere Sustenance with 19 Comments· This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads ·

    Share this post!

    2.4K shares
    • Share83
    • Twitter

    This post may contain affiliate links, see my Privacy Policy and Disclosure Statement

    Grilled Lamb Chops With Compound Butter will certainly tantalize the senses, and is a perfect main course for your romantic Valentine's dinner at home. Of course, it is also elegant enough for a holiday dinner party, and while this recipe is written for two, it is an easy one to scale up! 

    A bronze ceramic plate with grilled lamb chops with bleu cheese compound butter.
    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - Valentine's Day "Eating In"
    • 🧈 What is Compound Butter?
    • 🔪 Lamb Chops and Spinach Instructions
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 💭 Tips
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Eating is so intimate. It's very sensual. When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you're inviting a person into your life.

    ~~ Maya Angelou

    👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - Valentine's Day "Eating In"

    The smell of garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh herbs sizzling away in my sauté pan always whets my appetite. This Italian-inspired dish has plenty of both - the lamb chops are marinated in olive oil, fresh thyme and rosemary, and garlic prior to grilling, and the spinach is simply wilted in olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper, sherry vinegar, and combined with toasted pignolas and currants.

    The pièce de résistance is the fresh herb and bleu cheese compound butter that graces the tops of these gorgeous frenched lamb chops. No idea how to french lamb chops? View How to French a Rack of Lamb. You will want to slice between the bones to form chops. I have done this myself, but typically ask my lovely butcher counter to do it for me!

    When "pulling out all the stops" for Valentine's Day or Christmas Dinner, I serve the lamb chops and spinach with a primo (first) course Mushroom Risotto with Seared Scallop. It is a truly spectacular meal.

    🧈 What is Compound Butter?

    A compound butter is what it sounds like... Butter is softened before additional ingredients are mixed in. Ingredients may include fresh herbs, spices, cheese, citrus zest, even aromatic liquids.

    A few of my favorite combinations:

    • lemon zest, dill, feta cheese is perfect for spring and pairs beautifully with grilled veggies, seafood and chicken
    • rosemary and garlic pairs well with steak and bread (we don't eat red meat or bread often though)
    • fresh mint and garlic is a "go to" for fresh English peas
    • this bleu cheese and herb compound butter is a favorite combination for any red meat - lamb, beef, elk, even quail and duck

    How to Store Compound Butter

    We don't eat very much butter... compound or straight. I wrap my compound butters in parchment or waxed paper then put the log in a freezer zip bag and label it.

    Your compound butter will keep in the refrigerator for several days, and up to 2 months in the freezer. Be sure to bring frozen compound butter to refrigerator temperature to make it sliceable.

    🔪 Lamb Chops and Spinach Instructions

    This lovely dinner for 2 is really very simple, and comes together almost too quickly. Make the compound butter, and chill it. Season the frenched lamb chops with good salt ( I like Faulk salt) and fresh ground pepper.

    NOTE: When I initially published the recipe in 2016, and in subsequent years, I marinated the lamb chops. I have since discovered the marinade is really unnecessary, and totally optional. There is plenty of flavor without it. If you prefer to marinate the lamb, 1 to 2 hours is sufficient.

    Key to your success lies in planning. Gather and prep ingredients. Get all cookware out. If you're doing another side dish, include it in your planning. I have done both roasted potatoes, and mashed potatoes when I skip the scallop mushroom risotto.

    If you're "pulling out all the stops," and making the risotto, get that started. Now is the perfect time to open that bottle of wine. 😉 Plan on 45-60 minutes to make the risotto. When you actually cook lamb and spinach, it'll be done in less than 10 minutes.

    Bleu Cheese and Herb Compound Butter

    Step 1 - Soften butter and bleu cheese. Chop herbs.
    • Step 1 - Set the bleu cheese and butter out to soften. Gather the fresh herbs. Chop them.
    Step 2 - Use a pastry cutter to combine the herbs, butter, and bleu cheese.
    • Step 2 - Mix the bleu cheese compound butter. I find a pastry cutter is helpful.
    Step 3 - Chill the bleu cheese compound butter.
    • Step 3 - I find it easiest to work with compound butters is to chill them until firm. If I'm pressed for time, I use the freezer, but it just needs to be firm. You don't want frozen butter! Mix the ingredients together, and put it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. You should be good!

    Grilled Lamb Chops

    Step 1 - Get the grill hot. Add well seasoned or marinated lamb chops and lemon halves to the grill.
    • Step 1 - After seasoning the lamb (whether marinated or not), bring a grill or griddle to high heat. Sear on both sides. We shoot for medium-rare to rare with lamb. Medium is acceptable to most people. See this Cooking Temperatures for Lamb for more information.
    Grilled Lamb Chops With Bleu Cheese and Herb Butter Grill Pan
    • Step 2 - When you have grill marks on the lamb chops, turn them. Lamb will continue to cook, so don't overcook!

    The Roman-Style Spinach

    Step 1 - Sauté the aromatics - olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper.
    • Step 1 - Sauté the aromatics - olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper over medium heat.
    Step 2 - Add the fresh baby spinach to the skillet.
    • Step 2 - Add the fresh baby spinach and currants to the skillet.
    Step 3 - Sauté until the spinach is wilted. Season.
    • Step 3 - Sauté until the spinach is wilted. Add the toasted pine nuts, and season.
    • Put it altogether - Plate the grilled lamb chops, and top with a pat of bleu cheese and herb compound butter. Plate the sautéed spinach and any other sides. Pour a glass of red wine, and enjoy!
    Grilled Lamb Chops With Compound Butter on a black plate with sauéed spinach, a glass of red wine, and a block of compound butter with Valentine's Day glitter hearts.

    ❓ FAQ

    What can I serve with the lamb chops and Roman-style spinach?

    As I mentioned above, my menu starts with Mushroom Risotto with Seared Scallop. It is a truly elegant menu, and not overly complicated. Finish the meal with mulled red wine and plum sorbet.

    💭 Tips

    If you skipped the first course, round out the meal with a crusty baguette with olive oil steeped with garlic, crushed red pepper, and anchovy paste, or roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

    We love this flavorful lamb dish with a full-bodied red wine such as primitivo/zinfandel. Fantastico!

    I hope you will consider the benefits of inviting your loved one(s) to "sit at your table." Whether celebrating Valentine's Day with your love, or cooking for friends and family, nothing beats gathering around the table for a wonderful home-cooked meal, a bottle of good wine, and of course, the conversation of those you hold dear. I would so love to hear your thoughts!

    Valentine's Day Signature

    📖 Recipe

    Grilled Lamb Chops With Bleu Cheese and Herb Butter Feature

    Grilled Lamb Chops With Compound Butter

    Tamara Andersen
    Grilled Lamb Chops recipe which features Roman flavors - garlic, herbs, crushed red pepper, currants and pine nuts topped with blue cheese compound butter! Perfect main course for a romantic dinner for two, or scale it up for an elegant dinner party...
    4.86 from 7 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSave Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Marinade 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 25 mins
    Course Main Dishes
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 455 kcal

    Ingredients

    Lamb Marinade (Optional)

    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon garlic - minced
    • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
    • 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary - stripped from stems, finely chopped
    • a few grinds pepper
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 4 lamb chops*

    Compound Butter

    • 2 tablespoons butter - softened*
    • 2 tablespoons bleu cheese crumbles
    • 1 teaspoon fresh herbs - finely chopped*
    • a sprinkle of sea salt and few grinds pepper

    Grilled Lamb Chops

    • 4 frenched lamb chops
    • sea salt and fresh ground pepper

    Roman Style Spinach

    • 2 tablespoons currants
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic - minced
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
    • 1 tablespoon pignolas - pine nuts, toasted
    • 5 ounces baby spinach*
    • sea salt/pepper

    Instructions

    Lamb Chops

    • To a zip bag, add olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Combine well. Add lamb chops to marinate. You will want to give it at least 30 minutes or several hours in the marinade.

    Compound Butter

    • Using a fork, mash the butter, bleu cheese, and herbs together until well combined. Shape* and chill until you are ready to cook the lamb.

    Spinach Roman Style

    • Cover currants with boiling water to plump them. They need about 5-10 minutes.
    • In a very large saute pan over medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Stir until fragrant and golden. Add the crushed red pepper and sherry vinegar. Reduce heat to low. Add drained currants and toasted pignolas.

    To Finish

    • Get the griddle pan very hot over high heat. Place lamb chops on the hot pan.
    • Turn the lamb chops. You only need about 2 minutes on a side for medium rare.
    • Plate the wilted spinach. Top with 2 lamb chops and a slice of the bleu cheese herb compound butter.

    Notes

    Unsalted butter is preferred. Add sea salt and fresh ground pepper. If using salted butter, omit the additional salt.
    I have a number of herbs in my garden, and selected rosemary and thyme - both work well with lamb. You can choose your favorites. Oregano would be great as well!
    You really do need this much spinach for 2 people, as it cooks down so much!
    I had the meat counter cut 4 ribs from a rack of lamb. I chose to french the partial rack and then cut into 4 chops, which makes a lovely presentation. You can also use a loin chop (cheaper cut), but it won't be as tender.
    Drop the butter mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap, chill it a little, and then roll it into a cylinder. Chill until ready to plate. Then cut a little round for each lamb chop. If you make a bigger batch, you can freeze some for another meal! See this post for a video that illustrates the process clearly.
    The spinach needs a bit of acidity. I prefer sherry vinegar for its smoothness, but sometimes I just squeeze some lemon juice over top!
    When I plated this dish for new photos, we included a simple parsley and bleu cheese polenta.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 37g

    NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com
    Grilled Lamb Chops With compound Butter  on a cast iron platter with red glitter Valentine's Day hearts, a hunk of compound butter and copper knife.
    My 2016 photo of lamb chops with bleu cheese compound butter...

    More Healthy and Healthyish Main Dish Recipes

    • Chicken Tostadas Tinga with Potatoes
    • Savory Kumquat Chicken
    • Irish Tacos with Corned Beef and Spicy Slaw
    • Easy Mexican Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

    Share this post!

    2.4K shares
    • Share83
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Matt Kearns says

      February 08, 2018 at 12:09 am

      I love lamb chops! These ones look so delicious and its so nice seeing a recipe that doesn't include rosemary or mint! Haha I'll have to try these out!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        February 08, 2018 at 1:09 pm

        Well, the bleu cheese herb butter can include rosemary and/or mint, but I take it they're not your favorites? I've used several different combinations of herbs in the butter, and I loved them all! Thanks for stopping by Matt.

        Reply
    2. Mark says

      February 06, 2018 at 12:11 pm

      I have to say, this is a really incredible meal, and it comes together very quickly. The compound butter is delicious, and the spinach is the perfect side dish for this.

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        February 06, 2018 at 12:14 pm

        There's no one I'd rather cook this for! Happy Valentine's Day honey!

        Reply
    3. Dini @ The Flavor Bender says

      February 15, 2016 at 11:01 am

      That quote at the beginning is so beautiful Tamara! But those Lamb chops look even better! Seriously, it making me weak in the knees! Lamb is my favourite to eat (although I can't get it much where I live 🙁 ). and this meal looks perfect!
      Thank you so much for sharing this with us at #SaucySaturdays and I'll be pinning this and sharing this to send some love your way! Hope you join us again this week! 🙂

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        February 15, 2016 at 11:21 am

        That means so much Dini! I think lamb makes me weak in the knees too 😉 Since we moved from New Mexico to Texas, I've had no problem getting it! Thanks for hosting #SaucySaturdays... It's a fun opportunity, and I try to remember to participate!

        Reply
    4. Jessica {Swanky Recipes} says

      February 13, 2016 at 1:57 pm

      I haven't had lamb in the longest time but this recipe sounds amazing and something I'd like to try soon!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        February 14, 2016 at 1:13 pm

        Thanks Jessica! I hope you will try it 🙂 I think lamb is my favorite land protein... Fish and shellfish I could eat every day 😉

        Reply
    5. Sarah says

      February 11, 2016 at 11:54 pm

      You had me at "Roman Style"! I just adore anything Italian and these lamb chops look perfect for a romantic dinner!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        February 12, 2016 at 8:23 am

        Thanks Sarah! The amazing appeal of Italian food I believe comes from its simplicity and emphasis on quality ingredients. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Renz says

      February 11, 2016 at 11:23 pm

      Yum yum yum. I love love love lamb. It's the one meat reason I have not gone vegetarian. Lol. This looks amazing!!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        February 12, 2016 at 8:24 am

        I am right there with you Renz! Oh fish and shellfish too... Lamb is definitely my favorite land-based protein. Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    7. Elizabeth says

      February 11, 2016 at 11:12 pm

      Now this is my kind of recipe! Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous! We're lucky to have some of the finest lamb in the world on our doorstep. Every year I get one for the freezer. I HAVE to try this recipe next time i get some chops!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        February 12, 2016 at 8:25 am

        You are lucky indeed Elizabeth! I would love to have one in the freezer. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Shihoko says

      February 11, 2016 at 11:12 pm

      Sounds so delicious and healthy too. I don't eat much lamb but I guess I can use same flavour for other meat?

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        February 12, 2016 at 8:27 am

        Thanks Shihoko! Yes, I know the bleu cheese compound butter works well with beef (as I've used it), and I've paired the spinach with just about every type of protein. You should give it a try!

        Reply
    9. mjskitchen says

      February 11, 2016 at 8:35 pm

      I love this meal!!!! We are crazy about lamb chops and the small of olive oil, garlic and herbs simmering on the stovetop. This has got Valentine's Day written all over it. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        February 12, 2016 at 8:29 am

        Thanks MJ! One of my comments mentioned access to wonderful lamb - she puts one in the freezer every year - and I must admit to being jealous! I just love the tenderness of the rib chops. We're looking forward to doing this again Sunday...

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 35 Delicious, Romantic Dinner Recipes for Two says:
      7 June, 2019 at 10:43 am

      […] Click here for the recipe from Beyond Mere Sustenance. […]

      Reply

    I'd love to hear from you! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Tamara Andersen in floral top in front of ficus tree.
    Cuzco, Peru in 2022...

    A Little About Me

    Hola from the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas! I'm Tamara, the recipe developer, cocktail mixologist, photographer, and writer behind Beyond Mere Sustenance. Read more→

    Popular Recipes

    • Homemade Tajín Recipe (Copy Cat)
    • Peruvian Beans
    • Pollo Saltado
    • Simple Peruvian Rice

    Healthy Mains

    • Pan-Seared Mexican Fish
    • Peruvian Cilantro Chicken Soup
    • Shrimp in Roasted Goldenberry Sauce
    • Instant Pot Pork with Tomatillos and Green Chile

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy and Disclosure

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Get in Touch

    Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This helps to offset the costs of maintaining my blog and creating awesome content! 😊

    Copyright © 2022 Beyond Mere Sustenance