In this robust traditional Irish stew, that is a pub classic, lamb chunks and vegetables are braised in a broth that is spiked with Guinness beer that brings out that dark and robust color and flavor in this Irish Lamb Stew with Guinness.
St. Patrick’s Day is almost here and as I was looking through the recipes on my blog, there wasn’t a single recipe that had anything to celebrate St Patty’s Day with. Also I have been seeing so many Irish Stew floating around everywhere on the internet, that I really wanted to make some. Not to go on again about the weather here in Seattle, but we really need some soul warming goodness to get out of this rainy weather funk.
So, I looked around and read about Irish stew. Though most of the recipes I saw were with beef, my research showed that traditional Irish Stew that is a pub classic is made with lamb. And, anyway, the meat-a-holic here prefers lamb over beef, so Irish Lamb Stew it is.
I went to our local PCC store this morning and picked up everything I needed for the stew. There was one last package of lamb chunks for stew on the shelf ( I could have asked them to cut some for me, but I was in a hurry) and I picked it up. I picked up the Guinness, onions, carrots, beef stock and everything and checked out. As I got to my car, I realized that I forgot to pick up celery. So, in I went again and got that too. So much for getting the shopping done really quickly.
I knew I had to start cooking as soon as I got home as this was gonna take a few hours to get done. I didn’t waste any time once I got home and started on this stew. As I was chopping everything to make it, I chopped up a couple of jalapenos on a whim. I know this is not in the traditional Irish stew, but this is my recipe and I am sure the husband would love that extra spicy kick to it.
Look how dark that Guinness is! That is what gives this Irish Lamb Stew that deep, dark, rich color. You may use any other beer, but then that wont be Irish stew anymore.
Irish Lamb Stew with Guinness – The Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lb organic lamb meat cubes for stew
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 jalapenos, chopped
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 qt / 32 fl oz beef broth, low sodium
- salt, to taste
- crushed black pepper, to taste
- 1 14.9oz can Guinness
- 12 oz bottled fire roasted diced tomatoes
Method:
Pat dry the lamb cubes and heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Place the meat in a single layer in the pan and salt it. Once it is browned for a few minutes, flip them over and let them brown to a good sear on the other side. Remove them to a plate and repeat with the rest of the meat.
The meat will render some fat to the pan. To that fat, add the onion, garlic, celery, carrots and jalapenos. Add salt and crushed black pepper. Once the onions have browned a little, add the flour and let it cook a little till the raw scent of the flour disappears. Add the broth a little and mix the flour into it well without any lumps.
Add the rest of broth, the seared lamb, tomatoes and the Guinness to it. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer uncovered for 15-20 mins. Cover and simmer for another hour till the sauce has thickened.
Serve hot with crusty bread or with creamy polenta like I did.
Irish Lamb Stew with Guinness
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb organic lamb meat cubes for stew
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 yellow onion , chopped
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 stalk celery , chopped
- 1 carrot , chopped
- 2 jalapenos , chopped
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 qt / 32 fl oz beef broth , low sodium
- salt , to taste
- crushed black pepper , to taste
- 1 - 14.9 oz can Guinness
- 12 oz bottled fire roasted diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Pat dry the lamb cubes and heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Place the meat in a single layer in the pan and salt it. Once it is browned for a few minutes, flip them over and let them brown to a good sear on the other side. Remove them to a plate and repeat with the rest of the meat.
- The meat will render some fat to the pan. To that fat, add the onion, garlic, celery, carrots and jalapenos. Add salt and crushed black pepper. Once the onions have browned a little, add the flour and let it cook a little till the raw scent of the flour disappears. Add the broth a little and mix the flour into it well without any lumps.
- Add the rest of broth, the seared lamb, tomatoes and the Guinness to it. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer uncovered for 15-20 mins. Cover and simmer for another hour till the sauce has thickened.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or with creamy polenta like I did.
What a hearty dish! Love the Guinness pairing.
Thank you Brandi ?
I love lamb, but never know what to do with it. The recipe looks like a perfect place to start!
Yes it is, a very simple recipe. Just takes a little time on the stove top, that’s all!
Oh how good is lamb in stew! And the Guinness just draws out all those lovely flavours in the lamb and vegetables. You’ve got me so inspired to make up a batch of my own tonight! 🙂
?? thank you!
This looks and sounds so tasty! And I LOVE serving stew with creamy polenta — perfect!
Yes, I love that combo too! ?
Your photos are so well done that I could taste that Irish lamb stew without reading the recipe! A keeper.
Awww!! Thank you! ?
am not a lamb fan but this looks so darn delish!!
Thank you Alicia ?
This might be a stupid question but reading the recipe, at what point do you add the seared meat back into the pan?
Not stupid at all, looks like I completely missed that! I added that step to the recipe. Thanks for pointing it out, Jennifer.
Where does the rosemary come in? It’s pictured but not included in the ingredients.
Its not in the recipe per se, just a garnish that I added and then removed before we ate it.
my guys loved this-I had ground lamb in freezer I needed to use up & served over left over mashed potatoes. I did have to thicken a little extra, think I’ll cut back on stock next time.
Thats awesome! Thanks for letting me know. So glad your family loved it! 😊
Making this right now. It smells so good!! Had Irish stew when I was visiting Dublin last year and can’t wait to see how this compares. Did have a little taste while it is simmering and OMG can’t wait till it’s done. Thank you for this easy peasy recipe 😀
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I am so glad you love this. My family loves it every time I make it, so it makes me happy to see other families enjoy it too 🙂