Savor the Comforting Taste of Irish Lamb Stew
Come sit by the fire and let me tell you about a dish that will warm your soul on the coldest of nights. It’s a recipe straight from the Emerald Isle, passed down through generations of hearty Irish cooks. I’m talking about none other than the infamous Irish Lamb Stew with Dill.
There’s something magical about this dish that captures the essence of Ireland itself. The tender pieces of boneless lamb shoulder cut into 1-inch cubes and simmered slowly in a large pot with carrots, green beans, potatoes, and onions create a cozy aroma that permeates through the house.
Irish Lamb Stew with Dill is an easy recipe perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or any time you want to gather around the table with loved ones. Not only is it tasty, but it’s also a nourishing comfort food that warms and satisfies.
So if you’re looking for a traditional Irish stew recipe that uses lamb instead of beef and dill instead of thyme, then this is the recipe for you. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just a beginner, this stew will be sure to impress even the pickiest eaters. Give it a try and taste the magic of Irish cuisine in your own home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
For those who crave a hearty and comforting dish, Irish Lamb Stew with Dill is the perfect meal. Not only is it delicious and satisfying, but also very easy to make. This recipe uses boneless lamb shoulder that is simmered for hours with flavorful ingredients like green beans, carrots, onions and potatoes in a mouth-watering broth made with dill seeds, water, salt and pepper. And the best part? It’s an authentic Irish lamb stew recipe that has been passed down through generations.
This easy recipe is perfect for any time of the year but is especially great during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The rich and savory taste of the lamb perfectly pairs with a good pint of cold beer to make your taste buds sing! By using quality lamb cuts and fresh vegetables, this stew will fill you up and comfort your soul.
Not a fan of lamb? No problem! You can easily swap the lamb for beef or mutton to make a traditional Irish stew recipe. You can also add your choice of veggies like leeks or sweet potatoes to create variations that are both tasty and nutritious.
What makes this stew unique is the addition of dill seeds which gives it a distinctive and aromatic flavor. This herb plays well with the other ingredients and adds depth to the dish without being overpowering or lingering on the palate. With the perfect balance of spices, this lamb stew dill recipe provides an elegant yet homely twist on the classic Irish stew.
Overall, if you’re looking for an easy-to-make yet flavorful meal that will warm your body from head to toe, you’ll love this Irish Lamb Stew with Dill recipe. Its rich taste, versatile ingredients list, and heartwarming aroma are bound to satisfy every palate.
Ingredient List
Let’s take inventory of the ingredients needed to make this Irish Lamb Stew with Dill recipe, which serves up to 6 people.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 lbs boneless lamb shoulder cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 boiling onions, chopped
- 3 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup flour
- 4 carrots, sliced into 1-inch chunks
- 4 potatoes, sliced into chunks
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed and halved
- 2 leeks, sliced and rinsed well
- 2 teaspoons dill seed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
All of these ingredients can be easily found at your local grocery store. To save time at the store, consider writing down a list of needed items before leaving the house.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Gather Ingredients
To make this delicious Irish lamb stew with dill, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 lbs of boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ¼ cup of flour
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of pepper
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 boiling onions, chopped
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 4 cups of water
- 1 dill seed
- 2 cups of trimmed and halved fresh green beans
Make sure you have everything on hand before starting to cook.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
In a large pot or a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the lamb with a mixture of seasoned flour.
When hot, add the lamb to the pot and brown it on all sides, for about 6 to 8 minutes. Take it out and set it on a clean plate. The meat should be golden brown.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
To the same pot, add more oil if needed and sauté the chopped onions until they are soft and translucent. Then add the remaining vegetables – chopped carrots and potatoes, stir together, scraping up any brown bits at the bottom of the pot.
Step 4: Simmer Together
Pour in enough water to cover all ingredients in the pot along with 1 dill seed. Lower heat to medium-low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and let simmer for an hour or until lamb is tender.
In the last five minutes throw in trimmer green beans to help keep their color and texture.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once the stew is done, remove the pot from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
Serve the Irish lamb stew hot with a rustic bread or some mashed potatoes to make it even heartier. Enjoy this easy recipe on St. Patrick’s day or whenever you crave a warm and comforting meal.
Substitutions and Variations
Are you interested in trying out new ingredients or making some changes to this recipe? Here are a few substitutions and variations that you can try out to customize your Irish Lamb Stew with Dill Recipe.
Lean meats such as beef or deer stew meat can be substituted for lamb stew meat, but keep in mind that the taste will differ slightly. You can also use lamb chops instead of boneless lamb shoulder cut into one-inch chunks.
If you don’t have dill on hand, you can substitute it with other herbs such as thyme or rosemary. This will give the dish a distinctive flavor without compromising its quality.
For those who prefer more vegetables in their stew, you can add some green beans or fresh spinach to the mix. Carrots and potatoes are essential to this recipe, but adding some leeks or sweet potatoes can add an extra dimension of flavor.
If you’re looking for a quicker cooking method, using a pressure cooker will reduce the cooking time by half. Alternatively, slow-cooked lamb adds an amazing depth of flavor to this dish.
And finally, for those who need to avoid gluten in their diet, replace flour with arrowroot powder or cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
With these substitutions and variations, you have a recipe that is both versatile and customizable depending on your preferences. Discover your own favorite combination and enjoy the delicious flavor of Irish Lamb Stew with Dill!
Serving and Pairing
I love pairing my Irish Lamb Stew with freshly steamed green beans and crusty bread. The savory mix of the stew, sweet carrots, and tender potatoes is perfectly balanced by the lightness of the green beans. I recommend blanching your green beans to maintain their bright green color and snap.
For a heartier meal, you could also add boiled onions alongside the green beans. Alternatively, serving this stew with roasted root vegetables such as parsnips or sweet potatoes will give it more depth and flavor.
To complement the dill in the stew, I suggest pairing it with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a refreshing beer like a lager or pale ale. If you prefer non-alcoholic beverages, an herbal tea like mint or chamomile would provide a soothing accompaniment to the hearty dish.
No matter what you choose, make sure to serve in large bowls with generous portions and enjoy it on a chilly night or on St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends. Sláinte!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Now that you’ve made the hearty Irish Lamb Stew with Dill, it’s always a good idea to think about make-ahead options or how to store and reheat your leftovers. Because this stew uses boneless lamb, it can be stored in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. When reheating, you may need to add a little water or beef broth to thin it out as it can thicken when cooled.
If you plan ahead and make the stew in advance, ideally one day before serving, then the flavors will meld together even more and will result in an even more sumptuous dish. Before storing the stew, allow it to cool down completely and transfer it into an airtight container. The next day, simply warm up on the stove over low heat and serve hot.
Another option is to store any leftover green beans, potatoes, carrots or other vegetables separately so they don’t become mushy. In this way, when reheating the stew, you can add back those just-cooked veggies for an added crunch.
Whether you are hosting a party or feeding your family after a busy workday, this Irish Lamb Stew with Dill is an easy recipe that will have everyone craving more. Enjoy its savory goodness as leftovers or create new variations by combining your favorite root vegetables with the irresistible flavors of this traditional Irish stew recipe.
Tips for Perfect Results
To ensure that your Irish Lamb Stew with Dill recipe turns out perfectly, there are a few tips that I would like to share with you.
Firstly, make sure to season the lamb generously before dredging it in flour. Use a mix of salt and pepper according to your taste preference. For an even better result, let the lamb sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking; this will allow the meat to absorb the seasoning and bring out its best flavor.
Next, when browning the meat, do not overcrowd the pan. It is important to brown the lamb in small batches so that each piece gets a good sear on all sides. This will add depth and richness to your stew.
For those who are short on time but still want to make a delicious stew, consider using a pressure cooker or slow cooker. This will save you time without sacrificing flavor.
If you prefer a thicker broth, add a little extra flour while dredging the lamb or mix in some cornstarch towards the end of cooking. This will give your stew a heartier texture and help bind all the ingredients together for better taste.
Lastly, if you have any leftover stew, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for later use. When reheating, make sure to do it gently over low heat so as not to overcook the meat and vegetables which can cause them to become mushy.
By following these simple tips, you can guarantee that your Irish Lamb Stew with Dill recipe will come out perfectly every time!
FAQ
Now, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about this Irish Lamb Stew with Dill Recipe.
Which herbs is best with lamb stew?
Pairing certain herbs with lamb is a wonderful way to elevate the flavour of the meat. Rosemary’s woody and aromatic taste makes it a prime match for lamb dishes. Meanwhile, mint lends a refreshing sweetness, oregano adds a pungent earthiness, and thyme imparts a subtle, herbal aroma to enhance your lamb dish. Each herb brings a unique profile to the table and creates a delightful harmony between the lamb and the herbs.
What makes Irish stew different?
When it comes to comparing beef stew and Irish stew, there are a couple of key distinctions. The first and most significant difference lies in the type of meat utilized. While beef stew generally calls for diced beef, lamb or mutton are the more common choices for Irish stew. In addition, the broth in Irish stew is generally thicker and richer as it is made with beer.
Which ingredients do you need for an Irish stew?
While it’s commonly believed that a genuine Irish stew should contain only mutton, onions and potatoes, it’s actually common practice to add a variety of vegetables such as carrots, celery, turnips, swedes, parsnips, leeks, kale and cabbage. In fact, these additional ingredients are commonly used and considered traditional in a true Irish stew.
What is the difference between Irish stew and Mulligan stew?
The distinction between Mulligan stew and Irish stew lies in the meat they use. While Irish stew predominantly incorporates lamb or mutton, Mulligan stew is made with beef. Additionally, Mulligan stew tends to be more varied in its vegetable ingredients, making it a recipe with greater versatility.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Irish Lamb Stew with Dill Recipe is perfect for any occasion, from a cozy family dinner to a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. It’s an easy recipe that produces delicious and comforting results. The main difference between this stew and others is the addition of dill, which gives it a unique and savory taste. This recipe uses lamb meat cut into 1-inch cubes, but you can also try it with beef stew meat or even sweet potatoes if you prefer vegetarian options.
I highly encourage you to try this recipe out for yourself and discover why Irish lamb stew is such a beloved dish. With its tender and flavorful lamb, carrots, green beans, potatoes, and dill, this hearty stew will warm you up from the inside out. So gather your ingredients, dust off your Dutch oven or slow cooker, and start cooking! You won’t be disappointed with the results.
Irish Lamb Stew With Dill Recipe
Ingredients
- flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 lbs boneless lamb, for stew
- 3 tablespoons lard or 3 tablespoons drippings
- 1/2 teaspoon dill seed
- water
- 4 medium potatoes, cut in quarters
- 4 carrots, sliced 1/2 inch thick
- 12 boiling onions
- 1 lb green beans, broken in half
Instructions
- Season 1/4 cup flour with salt and pepper; dredge lamb with seasoned flour.
- Brown meat slowly in lard; pour off drippings.
- Add dill seed and 2 cups water; cover tightly and cook slowly 30 minutes.
- Add potatoes, carrots, and onions; cook 30 minutes longer.
- Add green beans; cover tightly and continue cooking 20 minutes, or until meat is tender and vegetables are done.
- Remove meat and vegetables to a heated platter.
- Add enough water to make 2 cups liquid; then thicken liquid with 3 Tblsp. of flour for gravy.
Nutrition
Recommended Recipes Just For You
Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.