Honey Garlic Butter Lamb Cutlets Recipe
Introduction
These Honey Garlic Butter Lamb Cutlets offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, enhanced by fresh herbs and a luscious butter sauce. They’re easy to prepare and make for an impressive yet effortless meal.

Ingredients
- 8 lamb cutlets
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine honey, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
- Step 2: Place lamb cutlets in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over cutlets, ensuring they are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
- Step 3: Let the lamb marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2-4 hours for maximum flavor.
- Step 4: Gather your cooking tools: a large skillet, tongs, and a basting brush. Remove lamb from the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature.
- Step 5: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 6: Carefully place marinated lamb cutlets in the skillet, avoiding overcrowding. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side without moving.
- Step 7: Flip cutlets using tongs. Add butter to the skillet and baste cutlets with melted butter and remaining marinade.
- Step 8: Cook for another 3-4 minutes for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness (internal temperature should reach 145°F/63°C).
- Step 9: Remove cutlets from skillet and cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
- Step 10: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add remaining marinade. Scrape up browned bits from the pan and let simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Stir in an additional tablespoon of butter and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 11: Place lamb cutlets on a serving platter and drizzle with honey garlic butter sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley.
- Step 12: Serve with your choice of sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Tips & Variations
- For a stronger herb flavor, use fresh rosemary and thyme instead of dried.
- To make the dish gluten-free, ensure the marinade ingredients are all gluten-free certified.
- Rest the lamb for 5 minutes before serving to retain juices and enhance tenderness.
Storage
Store any leftover lamb cutlets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to preserve tenderness, or use a microwave at medium power in short bursts. The sauce can be stored separately and warmed before serving.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of lamb for this recipe?
Yes, lamb chops or loin chops can be used as substitutes, but adjust cooking times since different cuts vary in thickness and tenderness.
How can I tell when the lamb cutlets are cooked properly?
Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare. This ensures juicy and safe-to-eat lamb. Adjust the cooking time according to your preferred doneness.
PrintHoney Garlic Butter Lamb Cutlets Recipe
Honey Garlic Butter Lamb Cutlets are succulent and flavorful, featuring tender lamb cutlets marinated in a fragrant blend of honey, garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon juice. Pan-seared and basted with a luscious honey garlic butter sauce, these cutlets offer a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors. Ideal for a special dinner or an impressive yet easy-to-make meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Lamb Cutlets
- 8 lamb cutlets
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
Marinade & Sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the Lamb: Place the lamb cutlets in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the prepared marinade over the cutlets, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 to 4 hours to let the flavors deeply infuse the meat.
- Bring Lamb to Room Temperature: About 15 minutes before cooking, remove the lamb cutlets from the refrigerator to allow them to come to room temperature. This ensures even cooking.
- Heat the Skillet: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. This will provide a good sear on the lamb cutlets.
- Cook the Lamb Cutlets: Carefully place the marinated lamb cutlets into the hot skillet, making sure not to overcrowd them. Let them cook without moving for 3 to 4 minutes to develop a golden-brown crust.
- Flip and Baste: Turn the cutlets over using tongs. Add butter to the skillet and continuously baste the cutlets with the melted butter and remaining marinade to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Finish Cooking: Cook the cutlets for an additional 3 to 4 minutes for medium-rare doneness, or longer if desired. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare.
- Rest the Meat: Remove the cooked cutlets from the skillet and cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm and allow the juices to redistribute.
- Prepare the Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Pour in the remaining marinade, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened, then stir in one more tablespoon of butter. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Arrange the lamb cutlets on a serving platter, drizzle with the honey garlic butter sauce, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the lamb for at least 2 hours or overnight if possible.
- Use fresh herbs when available for a brighter taste, but dried herbs work as a convenient substitute.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet while cooking, as it may prevent proper searing.
- Internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) ensures the lamb is medium-rare and juicy; use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Resting the meat after cooking helps keep it tender and moist.
- Leftover sauce can be saved and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Keywords: Honey Garlic Butter Lamb Cutlets, lamb cutlets recipe, pan-seared lamb, honey garlic lamb, easy lamb dinner, Mediterranean lamb recipe

