How to Make a Traditional Irish Stew

This traditional Irish Stew is hearty and delicious. The lamb is so tender it practically melts in your mouth. Enjoy a bowl this St. Patrick's Day!

How to Make a Traditional Irish Stew

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Irish

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Servings: servings

Calories: 210kcal

Author: Ronda Eagle | Kitchen Dreaming

How to Make a Traditional Irish Stew: As these dishes have been modernized and Americanized, many newer versions of Irish Stew now mostly contain the addition of an Irish Ale, like Guinness, and if you wanted to add that to this dish, you can do so while it's simmering so that the alcohol will boil off leaving behind the concentrated flavors of the beer.

Ingredients

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 lb lamb shoulder , trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 onions , peeled and chopped
3 celery stalks , trimmed and sliced
1 bay leaf1 tsp fresh thyme (add more or less, to your taste)
4 large carrots , peeled and roughly chopped
4 cups beef or lamb stock
2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes , peeled and cut into ½-inch slices
2 tbsp buttersalt and ground black pepper , to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Place a large, Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the oil, and brown the lamb pieces in two batches. Remove and set aside on a plate
Reduce the heat to medium-high, add another tablespoon of oil and fry the onion, celery, and carrot for 4–6 minutes or until the onions have softened.
Return the meat to the pot and add the bay leaf, thyme, and beef stock, season with salt and ground black pepper and bring to the boil.
Remove from the heat and push add the slices of potato pushing them down into and across the top of the stew, dot with small pads of butter, and season the top with a little extra salt and black pepper.
Cover and place in the oven to finish cooking for about 1½ hours or until the meat is tender. Serve in deep bowls with slices of crusty bread to soak up the amazing broth.

Nutrition