Instant Pot Lamb Chops
Making tender, juicy lamb chops has never been easier than with this Instant Pot Lamb Chops recipe. Pressure cooking lamb chops allows them to become super tender and juicy, locking in the flavor. Pair it with your favorite side dishes for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or any time of the year!
Cooking lamb has always been a bit intimidating to me. It has such a different flavor and texture than other meats, so I want to make sure I’m getting it right every time. I decided to pressure cook lamb chops this year and they were a hit!
The Instant Pot made it so easy as the lamb was perfectly tender and I was able to add my own seasonings and marinades to make it taste even better. When I first made it, I paired with some creamy Everything Bagel Mashed Potatoes, and Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese and it was the perfect combo!
🍽️Grab These Before You Make It
- Pressure Cooker – This affordable pressure cooker is 8 quarts, no frills, and cooks perfectly!
- Avocado Oil – This oil is the best searing oil because it is tasteless and has a high smoke point.
- Simple Kitchen Thermometer
🥩Ingredients and Tools
- Lamb Loin Chops or Lamb Shoulder – You can use either lamb loin chops or lamb shoulder for this recipe. Lamb loin chops are leaner and more expensive, while lamb shoulder is fattier and less expensive.
- Seasonings – Use your favorite seasonings to flavor the lamb chops according to your taste. You can try a mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, and thyme.
- Avocado Oil – Use avocado oil to brown the lamb chops before cooking them in the pressure cooker on sauté mode to add color and flavor.
- Electric Pressure Cooker – The Instant Pot is one of the most popular pressure cookers, but there are many popular brands out there, including Cosori, Ninja Foodi, and more.
📖How To Make Lamb Shoulder Chops In Instant Pot
1️⃣Prepare the lamb chops: Pat the lamb chops dry on both sides with a paper towel. Sprinkle your choice of seasoning mix over both sides of the chops and massage it in to ensure even flavor throughout.
2️⃣Sear the lamb chops: Heat the olive oil in the pressure cooker set to sauté mode. Once heated, add the lamb chops and sear for about 1-2 minutes on each side until browned.
3️⃣Pressure Cook: Add ¼ cup of water to the pressure cooker. Lock the lid, close the steam valve and press “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” and set the timer for 5 minutes. When the cooking time has finished, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release its steam for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining steam.
4️⃣Remove and Serve: Remove the lamb chops with tongs from the pressure cooker and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
👩🍳Chef’s Tips
- Make sure to pat the lamb chops dry before searing for better browning. Don’t skip the searing step, as it adds color and flavor to the lamb chops.
- Use a thermometer to check that your lamb is cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C).
- Instead of using water, use vegetable or beef stock to infuse more flavor into the lamb chops.
- How long to cook lamb chops in the instant pot depends on the size and thickness of the meat. Generally, they will be fully cooked in 5-8 minutes in the pressure cooker. If you need to add more time, add two-minute increments.
❄Can you cook frozen lamb chops in the Instant Pot?
If you have lamb chops that are frozen, you can still cook them in the Instant Pot without searing them beforehand. Just add an extra 5-7 minutes to the cooking time depending on the thickness, and make sure that the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F (63°C).
🥗Sides That Go Well With Lamb
- Green Beans Almondine – A light and flavorful vegetable dish with toasted almonds and butter, which complements the richness of lamb.
- Air Fryer Beets – The earthy sweetness of roasted beets adds a fresh contrast to savory lamb chops, balancing out the flavors.
- Asian Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad – A crisp, tangy salad with a hint of umami that provides a refreshing counterbalance to the hearty lamb.
- Green Chile Yellow Squash Casserole – A comforting, cheesy side with a slight kick from green chiles, pairing nicely with tender lamb chops.
- Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts – These caramelized Brussels sprouts with a sweet-savory glaze work well with the deep flavors of lamb.
❔FAQ
Yes, adding vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or onions is a great way to make a complete meal. Just be sure to cut them into larger pieces to prevent overcooking during the pressure cycle.
Water is fine, but if you want to add even more flavor, a combination of chicken or beef broth with a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar adds depth to the lamb’s flavor. You’ll need about 1 cup of liquid to create the steam needed for pressure cooking.
For medium-rare lamb, the internal temperature should be around 130°F. For medium, aim for 140°F, and for well-done lamb, the temperature should reach 160°F.
For bone-in lamb chops, you’ll want to add an extra 1-2 minutes of cooking time since the bone affects heat distribution. Typically, bone-in chops take about 5-7 minutes under high pressure for medium doneness. For boneless lamb chops, 3-5 minutes on high pressure is sufficient. Always use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature, aiming for 130°F for medium-rare.
You can use the Instant Pot method to cook other lamb cuts like lamb shanks, lamb shoulder, and lamb stew meat. For tougher cuts like lamb shanks or shoulder, you’ll need a longer cooking time—typically 30-40 minutes on high pressure to break down the connective tissue and achieve tenderness. For smaller cuts like lamb stew meat, 15-20 minutes under pressure works well.
Instant Pot Lamb Chops
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
- trivet
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 pounds lamb loin chops or shoulder chops
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ cup water or beef stock optional
Instructions
- Pat the lamb chops dry on both sides with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of the chops and massage it in to ensure even flavor throughout.
- Heat the avocado oil in the pressure cooker set to sauté mode. Once heated, add the lamb chops and sear for about 1-2 minutes on each side until browned.
- Add ¼ cup of water to the pressure cooker. Lock the lid, close the steam valve and press “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- When the cooking time has finished, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release its steam for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining steam.
- Remove the lamb chops with tongs from the pressure cooker and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
