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Lamb shoulder chops come from young sheep and have a distinct red color. They are cut from the shoulder and can be labeled under different names, but asking the butcher can help identify them.
Lamb isn’t as popular as beef or chicken in many places, but many people believe it deserves a place on the table, especially when it comes in the form of lamb chops. These deliciously tender cuts of meat come from young sheep of a variety of ages, are cut from the primeval shoulder, can be differentiated by cut, and are sold under a variety of names. With the right information, the savvy shopper can easily identify lamb shoulder chops.
As the name suggests, lamb shoulder chops come from young sheep. The same cuts can come from lambs of different ages, however. Baby lamb shoulder chops come from animals six to eight weeks old, and spring lamb chops usually indicate the animals were five to six months old. Other lambs that could be used to make lamb chops include a regular lamb, which is less than a year old, or a yearling lamb, which is one or two years old.
Real lamb chops come from the shoulder of the animal. In places, the lamb is usually cut into primitives, which are large sections. The shoulder is one of these primaries. Others include rack, loin, shank or brisket and leg. Knowing this is important because only lamb chops labeled shoulder chops are actually shoulder chops. Lamb chops labeled as sirloin chops or short ribs come from other areas of the animal, such as the sirloin or rack.
Lamb chops can also be identified by the color of the meat. Unlike poultry and pork, which are typically pale in their raw state, lamb has a distinct red color, much like that of raw beef. This is because lamb, like beef, includes iron-rich muscle tissue, and the iron in the blood produces the red color. If the chops are labeled with terms that indicate the age of the lamb, buyers can distinguish between older and younger animals by color. A light pink signifies a young lamb and darker red indicates an older specimen.
Not all shops sell lamb chops under that name. Butchers in different areas and parts of the world label the same cuts in different ways, and knowing the various names can help shoppers ensure they get what they want. Lamb chops cut from the shoulder may also be labeled llama chops or chops. If a buyer is in doubt, asking the butcher will help the buyer get the best lamb chops available.
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