An image of a pan with Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney with masala and fresh herbs

Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney

Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney brings tender lamb, masala and fresh herbs together. Serve these easy lamb chops with rice or roti for a flavourful dinner.

This Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney pairs tender lamb with tomato, masala, garlic and fresh herbs. The thick chutney makes this a lovely match for rice or roti.

Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney

Lamb chops, tomato chutney, masala, mint and coriander. That’s dinner sorted. What would you serve alongside them?

An image of a pan with Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney with masala and fresh herbs
Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney with Masala and Fresh Herbs

Why You Will Love and Enjoy This Meal of Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney

  • It gives you tender, flavourful lamb with a thick tomato gravy that’s made in the same pan.
  • The masala, garlic, fresh mint, green chili and coriander bring plenty of flavour without making the recipe complicated.
  • It’s the kind of dinner where the chutney deserves just as much attention as the lamb.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
An image of a pan with Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney with masala and fresh herbs

Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: EsmeSalon
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner Recipes
  • Method: Easy Cooking
  • Cuisine: South African

Description

Tender lamb chops simmered in a rich tomato, onion and masala chutney make a seriously tasty family meal. The fresh mint, chili, garlic and coriander give the gravy plenty of flavour without making it overwhelmingly hot.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.1 lb – 500 g lamb chops, excess moisture patted dry
  • 8 tomatoes, grated
  • 1 large onion, divided, 1/2 finely sliced and 1/2 grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 3 green chilies, finely sliced
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 3 tsp masala
  • 0.6 tsp – 3 ml turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp mixed cumin (jeera) and coriander (dhania) powder
  • 3 fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 5 tsp oil
  • 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
  • A handful of fresh coriander, chopped
  • A little water, as needed

Instructions

  1. Pat 500 g lamb chops dry with paper towel. In a bowl, season the lamb chops with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then rub in 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste. Leave them for about 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
  2. Heat 5 tsp oil in a large heavy based pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned 500 g lamb chops and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until nicely browned and cooked through. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the chops, so don’t rely only on the clock.
  3. Remove the lamb chops from the pan and set them aside. Keep all those tasty browned bits in the pan because they’re going straight into the chutney.
  4. Add 1/2 finely sliced large onion, 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 3 finely sliced green chilies to the same pan. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften and turn translucent.
  5. Add 3 chopped fresh mint leaves and 1/4 tsp mustard seeds. Stir and cook for about 1 minute, just until the mustard seeds start popping and the mint becomes fragrant.
  6. Add 3 tsp masala, 3 ml turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp mixed cumin and coriander powder. Stir everything together for about 30 seconds, keeping the heat moderate so the spices don’t burn.
  7. Stir in 8 grated tomatoes and the remaining 1/2 grated large onion. Add salt to taste and 1/4 tsp sugar. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. If the tomato mixture starts catching on the bottom of the pan, add a small splash of water and scrape up the browned bits. Continue cooking until the tomatoes and onions soften and turn into a thick, fairly smooth chutney style gravy. You want it cooked down enough to coat the lamb rather than sitting like a watery sauce.
  9. Return the browned lamb chops to the pan, spoon some of the tomato chutney over them and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning the chops once so they soak up some of that flavour.
  10. Taste the chutney and adjust the salt or add another small pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are particularly sharp. Scatter over a handful of freshly chopped coriander just before serving.

Notes

Prepared, tried, and tested by Reshika

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Additional Information

  • Should the lamb chops be rinsed? It’s better to skip rinsing raw lamb and instead pat the chops thoroughly dry with a paper towel. Removing surface moisture helps the lamb brown properly in the hot oil.
  • Why is the lamb browned before making the chutney? Browning gives the chops a deeper flavour and leaves tasty browned bits in the pan. Those bits are picked up when the tomatoes and onions are cooked, adding extra flavour to the chutney.
  • How hot should the pan be? Use medium heat. The oil should be hot enough to brown the lamb, but not so hot that the garlic, spices or onions burn.
  • How do I know when the lamb is cooked? Cooking time depends on the thickness of the chops. For the most reliable result, check the thickest part with a meat thermometer and cook to the appropriate safe internal temperature for lamb.
  • What if the lamb chops are quite thick? Thicker chops may need additional simmering time once they’re returned to the chutney. Keep the heat low and allow them to cook gently rather than turning up the heat.
  • How hot will the chutney be? Three green chilies will give the chutney some bite, but the heat varies between chilies. For a milder chutney, remove the seeds and membranes or use fewer chilies.
  • Can I leave out the chilies? Yes. The masala and other spices will still give the dish plenty of flavour. You can also use one chili for a gentler heat.
  • Why is sugar added to the chutney? The small amount of sugar helps balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes. Taste the chutney before adding more, as very ripe tomatoes may not need any additional sweetness.
  • Can I use canned tomatoes? Yes. Use about 800 g canned crushed or diced tomatoes. Allow them to cook down until the chutney becomes thick enough to coat the lamb.
  • Can I use a different cut of lamb? Yes. Lamb loin chops work well for quicker cooking. Shoulder chops can also be used, but thicker or tougher cuts may need more simmering time to become tender.
  • Can I use dried mint instead of fresh mint?
    Yes. Replace 3 fresh mint leaves with about 1/2 tsp dried mint. The flavour will be slightly different but still works well with the masala and lamb.
  • Can I substitute the fresh coriander? Fresh parsley can be used if coriander isn’t available, although it won’t have the same flavour. You can also leave the garnish out.
  • What can I use instead of ginger and garlic paste? Use finely grated fresh ginger and garlic. About 1/2 tsp grated ginger combined with 1/2 tsp grated garlic will give you a similar flavour.
  • What if the chutney starts sticking to the pan? Add a small splash of water and scrape the bottom gently with a wooden spoon. Keep cooking over moderate heat and add only enough water to prevent sticking.
  • How thick should the chutney be? It should be thick and spoonable rather than watery. If it’s too thin, leave the pan uncovered and simmer for a few extra minutes until some of the liquid evaporates.
  • Can I make the chutney ahead of time? Yes. The chutney can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Reheat it gently before adding the cooked lamb chops.
  • Can this be frozen? Yes. Cool the lamb and chutney completely, transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently until piping hot.
  • How long can leftovers be stored? Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a small splash of water if the chutney has thickened.
  • What should I serve with the lamb chops? Rice, roti, naan, potatoes or vegetables all work well. Rice and roti are particularly useful for soaking up the tomato chutney.
  • Can I make the recipe less spicy? Yes. Reduce the green chilies or remove the seeds and membranes. You can also adjust the amount of masala to suit your preference.
  • Can I make the chutney more savoury? Taste it once the tomatoes have cooked down and adjust the salt gradually. A little extra freshly ground black pepper can also add depth without increasing the chili heat.
An image of a pan with Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney with masala and fresh herbs
An Easy Family Dinner: Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney

Rich Tomato Lamb Chops Chutney delivers tender lamb coated in a thick, savoury tomato gravy flavoured with masala, garlic, mint, chili and coriander. The chutney adds enough richness to turn these lamb chops into a complete, satisfying dinner, especially with rice or warm roti ready to soak up every bit of sauce.

Thanks so much for stopping by, checking out my recipes, and seeing what’s cooking here at EsmeSalon.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Please leave a rating, share your thoughts in the comments, and tag me on Instagram at @_esmesalon. I absolutely love seeing your creations, and yes, those mouthwatering food photos always make my day!

We happily share our tasty, fantastic recipes and are excited to spread some love by posting at these awesome Linky Parties.

Copyright © 2026 esmesalon.com – All rights reserved.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

 

Scroll to Top