Hearty Irish Lamb Stew Recipe
This Hearty Irish Lamb Stew is a comforting and traditional dish made with tender lamb shoulder, root vegetables, and aromatic herbs simmered slowly in rich broth. Perfect for chilly days, it offers a flavorful and nourishing meal that brings the warmth of Ireland to your table.
- Author: nova
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Irish
Stew Ingredients
- 2 lbs lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 parsnips, peeled and sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef or lamb broth
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Brown the Lamb: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season the lamb cubes with salt and black pepper. Add lamb to the pot and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes to develop rich flavor. Remove browned lamb and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté over medium heat until softened and fragrant, around 3-4 minutes, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
- Add Lamb and Vegetables: Return the browned lamb to the pot. Add the quartered potatoes, sliced carrots, sliced parsnips, fresh thyme, and bay leaves. Pour in the beef or lamb broth.
- Simmer the Stew: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let the stew simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the lamb is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Season and Serve: Stir in Worcestershire sauce if using, and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve the stew hot in bowls, optionally garnished with fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot and stir them in.
- Use lamb or beef broth for richer flavor; vegetable broth can be used for a lighter option but will alter the taste.
- Worcestershire sauce adds depth but can be omitted for a simpler, traditional flavor.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of chopped fresh thyme for extra herbaceous notes.
Keywords: Irish lamb stew, hearty stew, lamb shoulder recipe, traditional Irish recipe, comfort food