On a rainy Dublin afternoon, I remember my grandmother slowly stirring a pot of hearty Irish lamb stew while telling stories of her childhood. The aroma of lamb shoulder, potatoes, and carrots filling the kitchen made the house feel like a warm hug. At Eminent Recipes, I love sharing these traditional, comforting dishes that are simple for home cooks yet deliver that nostalgic, family-friendly flavor in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Irish lamb stew is a timeless dish that brings warmth and comfort to your table. With tender lamb shoulder, hearty potatoes, and fresh vegetables, this recipe is ideal for family dinners, busy weeknights, or special occasions. It’s customizable to your taste, easy to prepare, and delivers the authentic, old fashioned lamb stew flavor that generations have loved. Whether you prefer a Guinness twist or a classic version, this one-pot meal is cozy, wholesome, and unforgettable.
Ingredients for This Recipe
This Irish lamb stew relies on fresh, high-quality ingredients that build layers of flavor. The lamb shoulder provides a rich, tender base, while potatoes, carrots, and onions soak up the savory broth. Optional additions like Guinness stout or tomato paste enhance depth, and herbs like thyme and parsley elevate the aroma. Every ingredient works together to create a comforting, old fashioned lamb stew that’s perfect for family meals.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6):
For the Stew:
2 lbs lamb shoulder, cut into large chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 large carrots, sliced
2 lbs Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, peeled and chunked
2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional, for depth)
4 cups beef or lamb broth
1 cup Guinness stout (optional, for Irish lamb stew with Guinness)
2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
2 bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional additions:
1 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
How to Make This Recipe
Creating Irish lamb stew starts with searing the lamb shoulder to lock in flavor, then slowly simmering it with vegetables and broth until tender. Each step emphasizes the natural flavors of your ingredients. Adding optional Guinness or tomato paste enhances the savory depth, while thyme and bay leaves infuse the stew with traditional Irish aroma. The process is simple yet rewarding, ensuring a one-pot meal that’s comforting, hearty, and perfect for any occasion.
🛒 Steps:
Step 1: Brown lamb shoulder in olive oil until golden, then remove.
Step 2: Sauté onions and garlic, add tomato paste, cook briefly.
Step 3: Return lamb to pot, add carrots, potatoes, thyme, bay leaves, broth, and Guinness if using.
Step 4: Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 1½–2 hours until tender.
Step 5: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning, and garnish with parsley. Serve hot with bread.
Expert Cooking Tips
For the best Irish lamb stew, choose a well-marbled lamb shoulder for tenderness and flavor. Browning the meat first adds richness, while slowly simmering enhances depth. Don’t rush the cooking — low heat allows the vegetables to soften and the broth to thicken naturally. Using fresh herbs like thyme and parsley elevates aroma. Optional Guinness adds a slightly bitter, malty flavor for a traditional Irish twist. Leftovers improve overnight, making this dish perfect for meal prep.
💡 Expert Tips:
• Use lamb shoulder for the most tender, flavorful stew.
• Brown the meat before simmering for richer taste.
• Simmer slowly to allow potatoes and carrots to thicken the broth naturally.
• Add Guinness for a classic Irish lamb stew with depth.
• Fresh parsley enhances the aroma and presentation.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this Irish lamb stew without Guinness?
A: Yes, simply replace Guinness with extra broth. You’ll still get a rich, hearty flavor for a classic old fashioned lamb stew.
Q: What cut of lamb is best for this recipe?
A: Lamb shoulder is ideal due to its tenderness and marbling, which makes the stew succulent and flavorful.
Q: Can I prepare this stew in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! Cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours. Add vegetables halfway through for best texture.
Q: Can I freeze Irish lamb stew?
A: Yes, cool completely and store in airtight containers. Freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the oven.
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This Irish lamb stew is the perfect blend of tradition, flavor, and simplicity. Using lamb shoulder, fresh vegetables, and optional Guinness, it’s a comforting one-pot meal for busy weeknights or family gatherings. With easy preparation, customizable ingredients, and tips to enhance flavor, this old fashioned lamb stew brings warmth, nostalgia, and hearty satisfaction to your table, keeping the spirit of Irish cooking alive in every bite.
Print
Irish Lamb Stew
- Total Time: About 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A hearty, old fashioned Irish lamb stew made with tender lamb shoulder, potatoes, carrots, and onions slowly simmered in a rich, savory broth. This traditional Irish stew recipe is simple, rustic, and deeply comforting — the kind of meal that tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6):
For the Stew:
2 lbs lamb shoulder, cut into large chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 large carrots, sliced
2 lbs Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, peeled and chunked
2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional, for depth)
4 cups beef or lamb broth
1 cup Guinness stout (optional, for Irish lamb stew with Guinness)
2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
2 bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional additions:
1 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Pat lamb shoulder pieces dry and season with salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb in batches until nicely seared on all sides. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Return lamb to the pot. Add carrots, potatoes, thyme, bay leaves, and broth. Pour in Guinness if using. The liquid should just cover the ingredients.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1½–2 hours, until lamb is fork-tender and the broth thickens naturally from the potatoes.
Remove bay leaves. Adjust salt and pepper. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve hot with crusty Irish soda bread.
Notes
• Best Cut: Lamb shoulder is ideal for slow cooking — it becomes meltingly tender.
• Thicker Stew: Mash a few potatoes directly in the pot to naturally thicken.
• Make Ahead: Like grandma’s old fashioned lamb stew, it tastes even better the next day.
• Slow Cooker Option: Cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours.
• No Guinness? Replace with extra broth for a classic easy Irish lamb stew recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1½–2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmered / One-Pot
- Cuisine: Irish