Description
Looking for a rich and hearty meal to warm you up from the inside out? This Lamb Stew is the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings and cozy dinners. Packed with tender chunks of lamb, rustic root vegetables, and a deeply flavorful broth, it’s a must-try for anyone craving classic, satisfying food ideas. Whether you’re searching for easy dinner recipes, cold weather meals, or a make-ahead dish that gets better with time, this easy recipe ticks every box. Great for a healthy snack-style bowl or a complete dinner idea, it’s one of the best lamb stew options for home cooks.
Ingredients
2 lbs lamb shoulder, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, halved
1 small parsnip, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
1 cup water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat lamb dry, season with salt and pepper, and brown in batches. Set aside.
2. In the same pot, cook bacon until slightly crisp. Add chopped onion, cooking until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1–2 minutes.
3. Deglaze with a splash of broth or water, scraping the pot. Return lamb to the pot, add remaining broth, water, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, thyme, and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Add carrots, potatoes, and parsnip. Simmer covered for 30–40 minutes until vegetables are tender.
6. Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning, and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.
Notes
Make this a day ahead—the flavor improves overnight.
Bone-in lamb provides richer flavor, but boneless works too.
Simmer uncovered near the end to naturally thicken the stew.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stewing
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg