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herb crusted lamb on a black plate

Grilled Parmesan Crusted Lamb

Seared over charcoal then finished with a golden Parmesan-panko crust, fresh herbs, and Dijon mustard for restaurant-quality lamb in under an hour.

Ingredients
  

For The Lamb:
  • 2 racks of lamb Frenched (8 bones each, about 1½–2 lbs per rack)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
For The Parmesan Crust:
  • 2 –3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Method
 

  1. Remove lamb from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and pat completely dry. Season both racks generously with salt and pepper. Set up your charcoal grill for two-zone cooking with all coals banked on one side for a hot direct zone and a cooler indirect zone. Preheat grill grates over direct heat until they reach 500-600°F.
  2. Drizzle olive oil over lamb racks and place fat-side down over direct heat. Sear for 3-4 minutes until deeply golden, then flip and sear the meat side for 3-4 minutes. Sear the ends for 1-2 minutes each until all surfaces are caramelized. The internal temperature should be around 80-90°F at this point.
  3. Remove racks from grill and brush the fat cap with a thin, even layer of Dijon mustard while the lamb is still hot. In a bowl, combine Parmesan, panko, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.
  4. Press the Parmesan mixture firmly onto the mustard-coated fat cap of both racks, packing it down to form a ¼-inch thick cohesive crust. Make sure there are no gaps and the entire mustard layer is covered.
  5. Adjust grill to 275°F and place lamb racks bone-side down on the indirect heat side, away from the coals. Close the lid and cook for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 130-135°F for medium-rare (or 125°F for rare, 140°F for medium). The crust should be golden brown and crispy.
  6. Transfer racks to a cutting board and rest uncovered for 5-10 minutes. Slice between the bones to create individual chops and serve immediately with your choice of sides.

Notes

The Dijon mustard is critical for crust adhesion and cannot be skipped or substituted. Fresh herbs are strongly preferred over dried for better flavor and texture in the crust. If you don't have a charcoal grill, you can sear the lamb in a hot cast iron skillet and finish in a 275°F oven. Pull the lamb 5 degrees before your target temperature as it will continue cooking during the rest period. Store leftover lamb chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in a 250°F oven for 10 minutes.

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