If you are looking for a delicious cut of lamb meat to serve with your next meal, you might be interested in lamb chops. At the same time, you are probably operating on a budget, and you may have noticed that lamb chops are expensive.
What do you need to know, and how can you get the most out of your lamb chops.*
*note that mutton chops are from sheep older than 12 months, lamb chops are from sheep younger.
Quick Navigation
Why Are Lamb Chops So Expensive?
There are several reasons why lamb chops are so expensive. First, sheep have a relatively good quality of life before they are sent to the slaughterhouse. It takes more money to provide them with a better quality of life, which is reflected in the price tag you see at the grocery store.
Furthermore, when compared to other animals, such as pigs and cows, sheep provide less meat per animal. This means that people who raise domestic sheep for meat are spending more money to produce less meat, which means that they need to charge more per animal to support their operations.
Why Are Lamb Chops So Expensive Right Now?
You might have noticed that meat is getting more expensive, and lamb chops are no exception. The price of lamb is going up at the grocery store for a number of reasons, and all of them are related to inflation. Inflation refers to the rise in prices of goods and services, which includes meat.
First, there are supply chain issues related to the pandemic. Because of supply chain concerns, there is simply less lamb to go around. As a result, stores are charging more money for the meat they have, including lamb.
Second, gas is getting more expensive as well. Transportation companies that drive the lamb from place to place have to charge more money to cover the cost of gas, which is increasing the cost of lamb.
Finally, there is also a labor shortage, which is increasing the amount of money that companies need to pay people who work at all stages of the production process. With rising overhead expenses, lamb is getting more expensive as well.
Why Is Lamb So Much More Expensive Than Beef?
There are several reasons why lamb is more expensive than beef (and veal). Keep in mind that there are multiple cuts of both, so the price can vary depending on the type you get.
First, it takes more money to raise sheep than to raise cows and other meat animals (except maybe goat). As mentioned, lambs live a better quality of life when compared to cows, so they cost more money to raise. This increases the price of lamb.
Finally, lambs are also not raised in as big of a crowd as cows. This means that farmers tend to have a smaller group of sheep, and they are not “wholesaled” as often. This increases the price per lamb, driving up the price of lamb at the grocery store.
What Is the Average Price of Lamb Chops?
Remember that the price of lamb can vary depending on the part of the lamb you get, where you are purchasing your lamb meat, and how much you purchase at once.
According to one source, the average price of a whole processed lamb is approximately $380. Lamb chops are the most expensive part of the lamb per pound, coming in at about $35.
Other parts of the sheep, such as a breast, blade chop, lamb shank or a leg of lamb, are significantly cheaper.
How Can You Save Money on Lamb Chops?
If you are looking for a way to save money on lamb chops, there are several ways you can do so.
First, consider signing up for a loyalty program at your grocery store. You could receive points that you can put toward your next purchase of lamb / mutton.
Or, you might want to join a wholesale club. If you are willing to purchase more lamb at once, you may be able to get a discount on a bulk deal.
Finally, try to purchase mutton when it goes on sale. If lamb is approaching its “sell by” date, the grocery store may drop the price in an opportunity to offload it. This could be your opportunity to buy it at a cheaper price.
Are Lamb Chops Good For You?
In general, lamb chops are good for you. Mutton is very lean meat, so it comes with plenty of protein that you can use to give your body the nutrition it needs.
At the same time, the nutritional value of lamb is heavily dependent on how you cook it.
For example, if you decide to cook lamb in a bunch of butter, then you will add a bunch of fat to the meat, which could hurt its nutritional value. Think carefully about how you cook lamb if you want to maintain its nutritional content.
How Do You Cook Lamb Chops?
If you want to cook your lamb chops properly, there are several steps to follow. They include:
1. Season the Lamb Chops
First, you need to season the lamb chops. Take them out of the refrigerator and add the seasoning to them. A few seasonings you might want to consider include salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary.
You can customize the seasonings to meet your needs, but these are a few safe ones if you are cooking lamb chops for the first time.
2. Melt the Butter
Next, you should melt some butter in a skillet on the stove. Turn the stove to medium-high heat and add approximately two tablespoons of butter.
Allow the butter to melt, then place the lamb chops in the skillet.
3. Allow the Lamb Chops To Cook
You should allow the lamb chops to cook for approximately four to six minutes. You should see a brown crust form on the bottom.
If your lamb chops are a bit thicker, you may need to cook them for a bit longer.
4. Flip the Lamb Chops Over
After you see a nice brown crust begin to form on the bottom of the lamb chops, go ahead and flip them over. Cook them for another four to six minutes. If you are in doubt about whether the lamb chops are done, you should get a meat thermometer and stick it in the middle.
You should cook your lamp to a temperature of about 145 degrees F. Even though you may want your land to be a bit rarer, 145 is a safe temperature.
5. Let the Lamb Rest
Once the lamb is done, you can take it out of the pan and put it on a rack to cool. Similar to other cuts of meat, you need to let the lamb rest before you cut it. In general, you should let the lamb rest for between 10 and 20 minutes.
A good rule of thumb is that you should let your lamb rest for approximately one minute for every 100 grams. There are 450 grams in a pound, so you can do the conversion based on the lamb you have.
Once you have let the lamb rest, you can cut it and serve it! Don’t forget to serve your lamb chops with some delicious sauce.
Further Reading: Sauces To Serve With Your Lamb Chops
If you are looking for a delicious sauce to serve with your lamb, there are several options available. Some of the recipes you may want to consider include:
- Consider serving your lamp with a delicious lemon butter sauce.
- If you want a sauce that is spicy and smokey for your lamb, think about using this peppercorn sauce.
- If you are looking for a classic sauce, think about this garlic and butter concoction.
Then, dig in!