Crock Pot Lamb Stew

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 03/15/21
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 8 hrs
Total: 8 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Lamb stew may seem like a special occasion or weekend meal, requiring hours of attention, but when cooked in the slow cooker, lamb stew can be a busy weeknight dinner. This slow cooker lamb stew is a classic combination of lamb, potatoes, and carrots, and a perfect example of how the whole is more than the sum of its parts: It might look simple, but the flavor is extraordinary.

This recipe is versatile as well. Add a cup of sliced parsnips or diced rutabaga to the stew along with the potatoes. Or add about a 1/2 cup of sliced celery or sliced sauteed mushrooms. If you choose to add more tender vegetables, like frozen (thawed) peas or cut green beans, add them about a half-hour before the stew is ready. Lamb shoulder or neck meat is an excellent choice for lamb stew, and beef chuck is a good alternative if you don't have lamb.

Serve the stew with a simple tossed salad and crusty bread or rolls for a fabulous cool weather meal. This stew is also perfect for a St. Patrick's Day dinner--just add a glass of Guinness stout and some warm Irish soda bread.

Slow cooker lamb stew in bowl

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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lamb

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 medium carrots

  • 1 pound red-skinned or round white potatoes

  • 2 medium onions

  • 2 1/2 cups low sodium or unsalted chicken stock

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 3 tablespoons cold water

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh parsley, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    lamb stew ingredients of meat, potatoes, and carrots
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  2. Cut the lamb into bite-size pieces. 

    Cubed lamb for stew
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  3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the lamb and cook until all sides are well-browned.

    Browning lamb for stew
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  4. Meanwhile, peel and thinly slice the carrots. Peel the potatoes and slice or dice them. Peel the onions, cut into quarters, and slice thinly.

    Vegetables for lamb stew
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  5. Put the carrots, onions, and potatoes in the slow cooker. Arrange the browned lamb pieces on the vegetables.

    Lamb stew ingredients in the slow cooker
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  6. Pour the chicken stock into the skillet used to cook the lamb. Bring the stock to a boil, stirring to get all of the browned bits. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.

    Making stock for stew
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  7. Add the hot chicken broth to the crock pot. 

  8. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low.

    Lamb stew in the slow cooker
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  9. In a small bowl or cup, combine the flour with the cold water. Whisk until the mixture (called a slurry) is smooth with no lumps.

  10. Stir the slurry into the stew and continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes.

    Thickening lamb stew
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  11. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, if using, and serve hot with thick, crusty bread.

    Slow cooker lamb stew
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  12. Enjoy!

Tips

  • Although browning meat for the slow cooker is not always necessary, it is worth the extra 5 or 10 minutes it takes. A good, crusty sear on the cubes of meat gives the stew extra flavor, texture, and color.
  • To add deeper color to the broth, stir about a 1/2 teaspoon of gravy browning sauce (like Gravymaster or Kitchen Bouquet) into the stew before serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
870 Calories
53g Fat
33g Carbs
62g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 870
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 53g 68%
Saturated Fat 21g 104%
Cholesterol 220mg 73%
Sodium 624mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 62g
Vitamin C 19mg 93%
Calcium 83mg 6%
Iron 6mg 33%
Potassium 1613mg 34%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)