These grilled lamb chops are topped with a beautiful tart cherry sauce. Whip them up in no time for easy summertime entertaining. Thank you to The Cherry Marketing Institute for helping me to share this recipe with you.
Summer entertaining is meant to be effortless. Even the adults should have time to run through sprinklers and have watermelon seed spitting contests (can you even get watermelons with seeds anymore?) rather than sweating over the grill for the entire evening. Bring on a rousing game of Kick the Can or Ghost in the Graveyard and I’m there! We’re all really kids at heart when it comes to warm, long summer nights.
Grilling is where it’s at during the summer. Flip on the gas grill (see my post on How to: Turn on a Gas Grill) and cook up almost any kind of meat or veggies within minutes. Ask your guests to bring an appetizer, salad or dessert, or choose some great make-ahead recipes. Add drinks and your entertaining duties are complete.
Lamb is a fantastic option for an easy grilled meal, though is often overlooked in favor of burgers, chicken or steak. Believe me, I enjoy a great burger on any given night. But lamb is one of those entrees that makes everyone swoon, even though it is dead simple to prepare.
Can you marinate lamb? Of course! But sometimes a little salt and pepper is all that’s required. A great sauce doesn’t hurt either and that’s where this Montmorency tart cherry sauce comes in.
The glaze that I used on Tart Cherry Glazed Roasted Vegetables would be fantastic on top of grilled lamb chops. However, if you have some whole tart cherries (frozen or canned), this sauce is a cinch to make and is fantastic on lamb, steak, pork or chicken.
The beauty of using Montmorency tart cherries in recipes, besides the taste and convenience, are the multitude of health benefits. From the anti-inflammatory properties to the heart healthy flavonoids and natural dose of melatonin, these little guys have it all!
For more information on Montmorency tart cherries and recipe inspiration, be sure to visit the Cherry Marketing Institute site, and follow Choose Cherries on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Other tart cherry recipes:
Cookin' Canuck's Tart Cherry & Peach Sparkler
Cookin' Canuck's Tart Cherry Cream Cheese Yogurt Dip
The Paleo Running Momma's Tart Cherry Lime Homemade Gummy Candy
Love & Zest's Tart Cherry Tuna Salad Avocado Bowls
On the DF's Spiced Cherry Crisp
If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.
Printable Recipe
Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe with Tart Cherry Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 3 ounce each lamb chops
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
The Sauce:
- 1 cup whole Montmorency tart cherries defrosted
- ½ cup red wine
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high. Lightly coat with oil.
- Season both sides of the lamb chops with salt and pepper. Grill until medium rare (12o degrees F), about 3 minutes per side.
- Serve with the tart cherry sauce.
The Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, stir together the tart cherries, red wine, orange juice, maple syrup and rosemary. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 8 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 additional minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post was sponsored as part of my ambassadorship with the Cherry Marketing Institute.
Cindy
Cooked this tonight and it's wonderful! Will be cooking it again!
Bobbi | Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
I love lamb, but never know what to do with it. You have inspired me with this recipe 🙂
gerry @foodness gracious
Lamb and cherry all the way Dara!!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
Yes! I want time to run through the sprinklers, too! This is a beautiful dish and the cherries make it extra special. I love that it looks "fancy" but is easy to make. Very nice!
Heidi @foodiecrush
The idea of cherries with rosemary is spot on delicious!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens
Oh wow - this truly is a gorgeous recipe, and I just love how easy and effortless it is! And I adored your comment about finding watermelons with seeds - honestly, a few years ago at the year-end class picnic, we had quite the little stir when the mom assigned to manage the watermelon event couldn't find a watermelon that actually had seeds! #truth 😀
Justine | Cooking and Beer
These photos are GORGEOUS! You make lamb look sensational!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
I adore tart cherries in savory dishes! These chops are gorgeous!
Kim Beaulieu
Oh my gosh Dara, this is stunning. I've had cherries on pork and beef, but never lamb. I need to change that, stat. This is just the most gorgeous sauce I've ever seen. I'm a huge cherry fanatic. Since I was little. My dad was too, so we'd to cherry picking together and have a blast coming up with ideas to use them all. I still cannot resist cherries. They win every time, hands down, no matter what else is on the menu.
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
Whoa, this is perfection! I like that I don't have to pit a million cherries (such a messsss!) My husband is drooling over my shoulder 🙂
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life
My kids and husband all love lamb....this looks like a winner to me! Will definitely try it!
Matt
That sauce sounds amazing!!!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
Wow, this has my mouth watering, I'm a cherry lover from way back! That lamb looks good enough for dessert 🙂