Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

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This easy lamb stew recipe is hearty, healthy and easy to make. It's a one pot stew that's packed with vegetables, lamb and spices, perfect for a family meal.

Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (1)

If you're a fan of stew recipes, you should totally take a look at our Moroccan chickpea stew, Turkish chicken stew and Italian beef stew.Both are ideal family meals, and today we have a classic lamb stew to expand our lamb recipes collection!

Table Of Contents:
  • Why is this recipe a winner?
  • Ingredients
  • What cut of lamb to use
  • Instructions
  • Slow cooker instructions
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Serving suggestions
  • Notes and tips
  • Step-by-Step Recipe

Why is this recipe a winner?

This is recipe that's perfect for weeknight dinners especially, in chilly weather. The lamb and potatoes go very well together and are flavored with vegetables such as onion and celery. We love making this delicious easy lamb stew in big batches and have it through the week.

Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (2)

Ingredients

To make a delicious lamb and vegetable stew you need the following ingredients:

  • Lamb: lamb shoulder cut into 1 inch pieces work best for this recipe. I prefer to discard the excess fat on the meat.
  • Celery: A few stalks of celery add a lot of flavor to the stew.
  • Carrots: They add just a little bit of sweetness to the dish.
  • Potatoes: Make sure the potato chunks are not too small.
  • Onions and garlic: The more the better!
  • Mushrooms: You can use white button mushrooms or baby bella mushrooms.
  • Spices: Including salt, pepper, bay leaf and turmeric. Alternatively and for bolder flavors, you can use Moroccan ras el hanout.
  • Tomato paste: Adds color and flavor.
  • Beef broth: To add some deep flavor. You can also use vegetable stock or water.

Most lamb stews call for wine or beer but this lamb stew recipe is alcohol-free and tastes fantastic. Try using fresh ingredients as they definitely boost the flavor of the stew. You can even prepare some of the ingredients in advance such as chopping the carrots and celery.

Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (3)

What cut of lamb to use

Lamb shoulder is the best cut to make stews as it is full of flavors because it's the part that has moved a lot. Lamb shoulder takes longer to cook therefor it's perfect for stews that need to cook for more time.

To learn more check out the ultimate guides to lamb cuts.

Instructions

  • Start with browning the lamb pieces and set aside.
  • Sauté the vegetables and add the lamb back. Make sure to scrape the brown bits at the bottom of the pot since that's where all the flavor is.
  • Add all the spices, tomato paste and beef stock to the pot and stir well.
  • Cover with the lid on and let the stew cook for about two hours until everything is fully cooked and the broth starts to thicken.

Kitchen tip: The key to a delicious lamb stew is fresh ingredients and a good amount of spices. Make sure that all the flavors are blended and the stew has simmered long enough.

Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (4)

Slow cooker instructions

  • Sauté lamb in some olive oil and transfer it to the slow cooker.
  • Next, sauté the vegetables in the same pot and transfer to the slow cooker.
  • Add in the spices and broth and then cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Once cooked, take the lid off and mix two tablespoons of flour with ½ cup broth and return it to the slow cooker.
  • Cook for another 30 minutes in high for the broth to thicken.
Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (5)

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this stew ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this recipe beforehand and refrigerate for up to 3 days. It's best to reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat.

How can I make this stew spicy?

To make spicy lamb stew, add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper with the other spices to the stew. Once the stew is ready, taste and add more cayenne pepper if needed.

Can I add other vegetables?

Yes! This lamb stew is so versatile, you can add veggies such as bell peppers, green beans or butternut squash to this stew for more flavor.

Serving suggestions

You can serve lamb stew with French or Italian bread. You can also serve it on white rice, too. This lamb stew recipe is so easy and goes well with any kind of side even a green salad.

Notes and tips

  • If beef broth is not available, use vegetable broth or simply water.
  • You can leave out the mushrooms if you don't like to have them in the stew.
  • This stew can easily be frozen and reheated again. To reheat the stew, let it thaw in the fridge and then heat it on medium low in a pot.
  • For more flavor, you can also add bell peppers.
  • Add the 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the stew right before serving for a bit of tanginess.
Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (6)

More Recipes

  • Easy Moroccan Chickpea Stew
  • Italian Homemade Beef Stew
  • Khoresh Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Stew)
  • Turkish Zucchini Stew Recipe

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

Step-by-Step Recipe

Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (11)

Lamb Stew Recipe

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

This easy lamb stew recipe is filled with healthy and tasty ingredients. It's a one pot stew that's packed with vegetables, lamb and spices.

4.73 from 18 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 servings

Calories 351 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb lamb shoulder cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1 large white onion sliced
  • 3 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 large carrots chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 yukon gold potatoes cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cups mushrooms cut into quarters
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 5 cups beef broth
  • ½ cup parsley

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat.

  • Mix lamb and flour in a bowl and sauté in the Dutch oven until the lamb is brown on the outside.

  • Remove the lamb from the dutch oven and saute onions in the same pot until golden brown.

  • Add in celery, carrots, garlic and potato to the onion and saute for about 10 minutes.

  • Add the lamb back to the dutch oven.

  • Add tomato paste, mushrooms, salt, bay leaf, black pepper and turmeric to the lamb and vegetables. Stir well until everything is combined.

  • Add in beef broth, stir and cover with the lid.

  • Turn the heat to medium low and let it cook for about two hours until the lamb and vegetables are fully cooked.

  • Take the lid off and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

  • Top with parsley and serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 24gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 1875mgPotassium: 1457mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 6909IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 4mg

Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rene Wallace

    Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (16)
    This was the perfect winter dinner. Comfort food that wasn't too heavy. The lamb was incredibly tender and I would happily have the sauce by the spoonful!

    Reply

  2. Katie

    Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (17)
    We all love this hearty stew. Such a rich flavor!

    Reply

  3. Sam

    Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (18)
    This lamb stew was delicious and so easy to make. My family loved it!

    Reply

  4. Kathy

    Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (19)
    Just made this and it is amazing. I used leftover lamb. My husband loved it. Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply

  5. wilhelmina

    Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (20)
    This stew is so satisfying! The flavors meld together perfectly into the perfect bowl of comfort!

    Reply

    • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

      Thank you!

      Reply

  6. Alli

    Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (21)
    Can not wait to try this!! We have a freezer full of lamb and I love getting new recipes.

    Reply

    • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

      Lamb gives this stew a really good flavor, hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Lamb Stew Recipe Step by Step (2024)

FAQs

What is the most tender lamb for stew? ›

The best cuts for stewing are shoulder, leg or neck fillet – it needs to quite a hard-working muscle with some fat marbling through it that will break down during the slow cooking to create tender meat. It's also best with economical cuts that are boneless – keep saddle, rack and lamb chops for roasting.

How do you prepare lamb? ›

Season the meat all over with salt and pepper, then rub the lamb all over with the olive oil. Transfer to a roasting tin, sat on the onion slices. Roast for 20 mins. Lower the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and cook for another 15-20 mins per 500g (1 hr – 1 hr 20 mins for 2kg leg) depending on how pink you like your lamb.

How long does it take to boil lamb? ›

Place the lamb in a deep pot or casserole and add all the ingredients, except the potatoes and pasta. Then add enough water to just cover the meat. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer, either on the hob or in the oven, for 2 hours. Check after ½ hour and remove any scum that has risen to the surface.

Do you need to brown lamb before slow cooking? ›

Brown the lamb first, in batches if necessary. This will maintain a high heat in the pan and caramelise the juices, which will improve the colour and flavour of the meat. Although lamb is a little more fatty than other meats, don't trim all of it away before cooking.

Does lamb get more tender the longer you boil it? ›

Yes, lamb meat can become more tender the longer you cook it, but it depends on the cut of lamb. Here's a breakdown of how different cuts of lamb respond to cooking: Lamb Shank: When cooked low and slow, lamb shanks become more tender as long as they don't dry out.

Should you brown lamb before stewing? ›

Do you really have to brown meat intended for the stew pot? If it's beef or lamb, then yes, even if it goes into the slow cooker. Browning produces the famous Maillard reaction, which gives you that delicious meaty tang. Without it you get gray, sodden meat and a markedly less tasty stew.

How do you get the gamey taste out of lamb stew? ›

If you're going to have it in a stew, here's what I found works.
  1. remove as much fat as you can.
  2. wash it thoroughly - use lemon/lime and salt to soak it for a few minutes then rinse off. Repeat a couple of times.
  3. boil for a few minutes and discard the water. Then proceed with the recipe.
Apr 5, 2018

What can I use to thicken lamb stew? ›

The flour helps to thicken a stew as it cooks. Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil.

What seasonings go well with lamb? ›

Fresh rosemary, fresh garlic, lemon zest, black pepper, and salt are simple but amazing flavors that pair amazingly with the lamb! Each of these ingredients adds its unique warmth and depth to enhance the flavor of the dish.

Is it better to cook lamb slow or fast? ›

Slow cooking in liquid transforms tougher cuts of lamb into fork-tender meat.

What sauce goes with lamb? ›

Best 7 Sauces to Pair with Lamb Chops
  • Garlic Rosemary Sauce with Lamb Chops. ...
  • Mustard-Thyme Sauce with Lamb Chops. ...
  • Tzatziki Sauce with Lamb Chops. ...
  • Balsamic Brown Sugar Sauce with Lamb Chops. ...
  • Chimichurri Sauce with Lamb Chops. ...
  • Red Wine Sauce with Lamb Chops. ...
  • Lemon Tahini Sauce.
Oct 31, 2021

What cooking method is best for lamb? ›

The dry heat of roasting is best for tender cuts of lamb, like the leg, rack, and loin. If you'd like to roast a cut like a lamb shoulder, go for a long, slow roast. If you're cooking a bone-in leg, keep in mind that because of the thicker and thinner portions of the cut you'll get a range of doneness.

Do you need to soak lamb before cooking? ›

What do you soak lamb chops in? As you may already know, fat holds odors and flavors. Therefore, trimming as much fat as possible before cooking it's a great tip. To help in this process, it is recommended to soak the lamb chops in lemon water (or vinegar water) for 30 minutes.

Is it OK to boil lamb? ›

Yes,breast of lamb ,is particular, gets tender ,over 3 hours,bring to boil ,then simmer! vegetables, like ,carrots onions, potatoes, swedes ,can be added,its hearty welcome meal on a cold winters evening! Of course you can always slow roast with a lemon & parsley stuffing ,or various other stuffing you like!

What is the best piece of lamb to slow cook? ›

Cuts of lamb that are popular for slow cooking include the shoulder, leg, forequarter, shanks, neck chops, lamb ribs, and some sausages. These cuts are usually tougher because they have lots of connective tissue and fats, but this makes them perfect for slow and low methods of cooking.

What is the most tender cut of lamb? ›

The loin produces the most flavorful and tender cuts of Lamb in our opinion, due to its generous and tasty fat cap. Lamb Loin is located in between the ribs and sirloin. Lamb Loin Chops look like miniature bone-in T-Bone steaks or Porterhouse, that are straightforward to grill or pan-fry.

What is the most tender cut of meat for stew? ›

Next time you're shopping for stew beef, look at your options and see what cuts of meat will work best for your recipe. For example, chuck is a lean and tender cut of beef that works well in stew. However, if you would prefer a thicker and more flavorful stew, short ribs or oxtail may be better choices for you.

Why is my lamb stew tough? ›

Yes, it's possible to overcook lamb stew. If you cook it for too long, the meat will start to fall apart, and it will actually lose moisture and begin to toughen. Cook the stew just until the meat is fork tender but still intact.

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