Oklahoma's Most Infamous Lamb Dish Is Crispy, Dippable, And Adventurous

There are some pretty wild dishes out there. Some are so unique that you'll only find them in a few isolated parts of the country, like Oklahoma's infamous lamb fries. If you've ever tried Rocky Mountain oysters, then you might have a sneaky suspicion why lamb fries are a dish that hasn't it made its way to mainstream menus. Instead, they tend to attract the more adventurous eaters of the world who aren't turned off by the fact that they are deep fried bites of lamb testicle.

A far cry from a perfectly roasted leg of lamb, lamb fries are definitely not your typical cut of meat. And while there are some cuts of lamb you'll definitely want to grab on your next Costco trip, you probably won't find these little guys in the meat section. Made from testicles that have been battered and deep fried to golden perfection, lamb fries are a holdover from a time when ranchers used every possible part of the animal out of necessity to feed hungry settlers.

Like many of the wildest burgers you can order In America, lamb fries aren't something you'll find everywhere. Instead, the practice of eating lamb testicles is fairly limited to only a few states in addition to Oklahoma, namely Nevada, Kentucky, and Texas. To get the uniform shape and size that has earned them the moniker of "fries," the animals are slaughtered at the same age, so the testicles are always roughly the same size and are able to be sliced into uniform pieces that resemble French fries, then breaded and fried a beautiful golden brown.

When it comes to the sauce you select to serve with your lamb fries (and, well, any dippable foods you put on the plate) your decision can make or break your meal. Even when that food is testicles. After all, fries are made for dipping, so it stands to reason that lamb fries would be too. Restaurants that find this delicacy to be a popular menu item typically opt for a classic cocktail sauce to accompany their lamb fries. It's an obvious choice, as cocktails sauce pairs well with the crispy coating and is a common accompaniment to similarly breaded dishes like fried calamari, fried shrimp, and mozzarella sticks. Cocktail sauce is also incredibly easy to make.

But like any good cook would, you'll probably want to explore your options. Lamb itself happens to pair well with a lot of sauces, from hummus to mint jelly, so your options are only limited to your taste buds. You can try a bright and bold chimichurri sauce for a refreshing Argentinian twist, add some herbs to horseradish for a dip with a kick, or go Greek and make a classic tzatziki sauce. If you are adventurous enough to try lamb fries, then the sky is the limit. Choose a dip that will make sure your focus is on the flavor rather than the cut of meat your meal is made from.