Hearty Lamb Stew
Do you want to find a healthy dinner recipe for yourself or your family? This hearty lamb stew would be perfect, especially for a weeknight dinner.
Lamb stew is a timeless dish that many cultures have savored for centuries. Its warmth and comfort make it a perfect meal for chilly days and nights. The rich flavors and tender chunks of meat in a hearty lamb stew can bring joy to anyone’s taste buds.
But finding the perfect recipe can be a challenge. If you are looking for an easy-to-follow recipe, we have a delicious one. It is a foolproof, hearty lamb stew. It uses simple ingredients and delivers a satisfying result. This recipe will warm your heart and soul. So, learn to create a mouthwatering lamb stew that your whole family will love!
Which lamb cut is best for this stew?
Choosing the proper lamb cut is vital to making a flavorful and tender stew. Different lamb cuts have varying levels of fat content. They also have varied levels of connective tissue and muscle fibers. These aspects can impact the texture and taste of your stew. So, which lamb cut is best for this stew? The answer depends on your preferences and cooking ways. Choose a cut with more connective tissue if you want a tender and juicy stew. Examples include lamb shanks or shoulder. Although These cuts must have long cooking times, they offer rich flavors and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. On the other hand, if you prefer a leaner stew, choose a less fat amount. Lamb leg or loin are good options.
What other vegetables can you add to this stew?
While traditional stews usually contain meat, onions, and potatoes, many other vegetables can enhance their flavor and nutritional value. Add seasonal root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and turnips to add sweetness, color, and texture to your stew. You can also add peas or corn to bring a pop of color.
What to serve with this stew?
Here are some delicious ideas on what to serve with your hearty lamb stew:
- Crusty bread: Serve your lamb stew with a slice of crusty bread to soak up all the delicious juices
- Roasted vegetables: Roast seasonal vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes to serve as a side dish with your stew.
- Salad: A light and refreshing salad can balance the richness of the lamb stew. Try a mix of greens with some chopped nuts, dried fruit, and a simple vinaigrette dressing.
- Mashed potatoes: Try serving your lamb stew with creamy mashed potatoes for a more traditional pairing.
- Rice or couscous: Serve your stew over a bed of rice or couscous for a filling and flavorful meal.
How can you cook this stew faster?
If you’re short on time but still craving a hearty stew, cut your vegetables into smaller pieces. This will allow them to cook faster, allowing your stew to come together more quickly.
You can also use a Pressure cooker or instant pot to cook the stew. These appliances are excellent for reducing cooking time. By cooking your stew under pressure, you can tenderize tougher cuts of meat quickly. This way takes a fraction of the time compared to traditional cooking ways.
(This lamb stew was the inspiration for my recipe.)
Hearty Lamb Stew
Ingredients
- 2 lb. lamb shoulder cut into 1 ½” pieces
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp. olive oil divided
- 1 large onion sliced
- 3 garlic cloves
- 4 cups beef broth divided
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 3 carrots chopped into 3″ pieces
- 2 large potatoes about 1 ½ pounds
- 1 cup button mushrooms sliced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Start by patting dry the lamb using a paper towel and seasoning it with pepper and salt. Then, pour 1 tbsp. of oil in a pot over medium-low heat. Once the oil is hot, add the lamb and cook in small batches until brown. It’s that simple!
- As the lamb cooks, the comforting aroma of a hearty meal will start to fill your kitchen. Then remove the lamb from the pot, add onion to the same oil and cook for 5 minutes or until soft. Add garlic and continue to cook until fragrant.
- Then, add 2 tbsp. of broth to the pot to deglaze, scrape brown bits from the bottom, and continue cooking until the broth evaporates.
- At this stage, add flour and butter and continue cooking for 1 minute. Then reduce heat to low and gradually add broth while mixing until smooth.
- Add the lamb and bay leaf to the pot, and let the mixture simmer for 80 to 90 minutes or until the lamb is fork tender.
- Add thyme, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes to the pot and cook for another 25 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Then remove from heat, transfer the stew to the serving dish, and serve hot.
