Lamb is the meat of a young sheep, typically less than 12 months old. Marinating is one way to make it even more flavorful.
There are many ways to marinate lamb. One thing you can do is to marinate it in yogurt.
But how long can you marinate lamb in yogurt? You can marinate lamb in yogurt overnight up to three days if you want to maximize flavor.
Marinating lamb in yogurt can also reduce the “gamey” taste that some find when cooking with it.
Depending on how much time you have, how strong of a flavor you want and how big of a cut you’re marinating, there are many factors that can help determine how long to marinate lamb in yogurt.
The following is a schedule that works well for lamb steaks that are about half an inch thick or less:
- Marinating lamb for 30 minutes in yogurt will give it a light, tangy flavor.
- Marinating lamb for one hour in yogurt will give it a stronger flavor.
- Marinating lamb for six hours in yogurt will give it the strongest flavor of all.
You can marinate smaller cuts of lamb for longer periods of time while larger cuts of lamb should only marinate for a few hours or less.
If you’re making lamb kebabs, marinating them in yogurt for longer than 15 minutes is not recommended.
If you want to add some other flavors to your dish, such as garlic and chopped fresh herbs, do so after the lamb has been given time to absorb the taste of the yogurt.
If you’re trying to avoid overpowering lamb with heavy spices or need a lighter dish as part of a barbecue or outdoor event, marinating it in yogurt for a few hours is a great way to infuse the meat with subtle flavor.
If you’re planning an event where lamb needs to be strongly flavored or want a stronger taste that lasts throughout the day, marinating lamb overnight or up to three days is a better option.
Larger cuts of lamb can marinate for longer periods of time if the marinade is well-chilled.
When you’re done marinating lamb in yogurt, rinse it off and pat it dry with a paper towel before cooking it.
Rinsing also helps reduce how much fat gets into your dish.
If the lamb doesn’t feel too soft to work with, consider brushing it lightly with oil before cooking it for a crispier taste.
How long can you marinate lamb chops?
Many people wonder how long it takes to marinate lamb chops in yogurt. I recommend that you do so for about two hours. This should be enough for the flavor to penetrate the meat.
Though this recipe isn’t widely known, you want to be sure that your marination time is just right so that your lamb comes out flavorful and delicious every time.
The best way to ensure a great tasting meal is by using the flavors of garlic, fresh mint leaves, salt, black pepper, olive oil and finally plain yogurt. Though this recipe might seem a bit odd, you are certainly in for a treat once you taste how amazing it is!
To begin marinating lamb chops in yogurt, make sure that you have all of your ingredients prepared.
To get started chop up one large onion into small cubes. Then, take your lamb chops and rinse them under cold water. You want to make sure all of the blood is washed off before marinating.
Once your ingredients are prepared, begin adding everything together in a large bowl or jar with a lid to marinate your lamb chops.
It’s important that you put the yogurt in. If you put the lamb chops in first, this could potentially cause the yogurt to curdle.
Add all of your ingredients together and stir until they are well mixed.
Then, cover your bowl or jar with a lid tightly and place it in the fridge for at least two hours before cooking.
If you are ready to cook, place your lamb chops on a baking sheet and bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes.
You’ll know they are done when the meat is lightly browned and cooked through.
How long can you marinate lamb chops in the fridge?
You can marinate lamb chops in the fridge for up to three days to ensure that the meat remains flavorful and delicious.
However, lamb chops that have been marinated for longer than three days will likely be of a very poor quality.
If you are noticing that your lamb chops are becoming discolored, this is often due to the length of time the meat has been marinating in its own juices and how high of a risk there would be from bacterial infections from the meat lactic acid.
Another factor which can determine the length of time the lamb should stay in the fridge is cut size.
For example, if you have a larger cut of lamb chops, such as boneless leg of lamb, I recommend that you discard the lamb after refrigerating for more than three days.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, there is no definite length of time when it comes to marinating lamb in yogurt.
You can do it for a couple of hours, overnight up to three days if you want to keep your meat flavorful and delicious.
However, if you notice that your lamb chops are becoming discolored or the marinade has turned pink or brown, it may be time to discard the meat.
Always go for a safer route.
I hope this helps. Thank you for reading.
If you want to learn more about marinating, feel free to visit my related articles here.
