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lamb and potato stew in a large dutch oven.
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5 from 8 votes

Lamb and Potato Stew

Cozy up with the best Irish Lamb and Potato Stew, perfect for chilly days! This hearty dish is cooked in one pot on the stove, making it a breeze to prepare.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time2 hours 5 minutes
Course: Stews
Cuisine: Irish
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 465kcal
Author: Adina

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven or another large heavy-bottomed pot

Ingredients

  • lbs lamb shoulder meat 700 g, Note 1
  • 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 medium onions divided one chopped, one sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 3 ¾ cups lamb stock or beef/ chicken stock, 900 ml
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 cups carrots chopped, 7 oz/ 250 g
  • lbs potatoes chopped, 700 g
  • fine sea salt and ground black pepper Note 2

Instructions

  • Lamb: Remove the excess fat and cut the lamb into small cubes (about 1 inch/ 2-3 cm). Pat the meat dry with paper towels.
    1½ lbs lamb shoulder meat / 700 g
  • Sear meat: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the pot. Brown the meat in several batches (Note 3). Sear it on all sides; it will take about 5 minutes per batch. Remove the lamb from the pan and set it aside. Repeat with the remaining lamb cubes, adding more oil in between if necessary.
    1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Onions: In the meantime, chop 1 of the onions and the garlic. Slice the second onion but keep it separated from the rest. Cook them gently in the same pan for about 2 minutes or until the onion is golden (2-3 minutes).
    2 medium onions + 2 garlic cloves
  • Simmer: Return the lamb cubes to the pan and add only 2 cups/ 500 ml of the broth. Add thyme, bay leaves, and a little salt (Note 2). Lower the heat and simmer the stew, covered, for about 45 minutes or until the meat is almost tender. Stir occasionally.
    2 cups/ 500 ml stock + 1 teaspoon dried thyme + 2 bay leaves + a little salt
  • Add the sliced onion to the stew, stir well, cover again, and continue cooking for another 15 minutes.
  • Chop vegetables: Chop the carrots, peel, and cut the potatoes into larger chunks.
    2 cups carrots / 250 g + 1½ lbs potatoes 700 g
  • Continue simmering: Add potatoes, carrots, and the remaining stock to the pot and stir well. Cover and simmer for about 25-30 until the meat and potatoes are tender.
    remaining stock 1 ¾ cup/ 400 ml
  • Thicken lamb stew: If you want the stew to be thicker, remove the lid during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper.
    fine sea salt and ground black pepper

Notes

  1. Lamb meat: Buy a boneless lamb shoulder or one with the bone still in; you will need 1.5 lbs/ 700 g of meat weighed after removing the bone. Ask the butcher to remove the bone (use it to make the stock). Or you can remove the bone yourself. Alternatively, use meat from a leg of lamb or the so-called lamb stew meat. 
  2. Sear the lamb in batches: Don't be tempted to sear all the meat at once; an overcrowded pan will cause the meat to release too much water, and it will cook in those juices rather than frying.
  3. Salt: Add it as needed based on the type of stock you use. Homemade stock or store-bought low-sodium broth are less salty than regular store-bought stock. If using the latter, be cautious with the salt; it’s better to start with a small amount and adjust the seasoning at the end of cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of the dish | Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 1071mg | Potassium: 1496mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 10863IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 5mg