Dark, sticky stew | Jamie Oliver lamb stew recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cut for lamb stew? ›

The best cuts for stewing are shoulder, leg or neck fillet – it needs to quite a hard-working muscle with some fat marbling through it that will break down during the slow cooking to create tender meat. It's also best with economical cuts that are boneless – keep saddle, rack and lamb chops for roasting.

And when you have a gorgeous cut, like a rack of lamb, you can cook it the good ol' Gordon Ramsay way—which is to say, lightly pan-sear it first, then baste it with an herby, garlicky butter, and finally finish it off in the oven until it's still pink and juicy in the middle. It comes out perfectly every time.

Whatever its origins, Irish stew has become an iconic dish in Irish cuisine, beloved for its simplicity and heartiness. It's the kind of dish that warms the soul and brings people together, and it's a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of the Irish people.

Slow cooking in liquid transforms tougher cuts of lamb into fork-tender meat. Neck, shoulder and belly, either diced or as whole joints, are the best cuts for slow cooking and need to be cooked for at least 2 hrs at 150°C to soften the meat.

Lower temp = more succulent meat – Tough cuts like lamb shoulder need slow-cooking to tenderise them.

A bit of tomato paste amps up the flavor of beef stew, giving it a richness and a punch of umami that makes the stew truly memorable.

Fresh rosemary, fresh garlic, lemon zest, black pepper, and salt are simple but amazing flavors that pair amazingly with the lamb! Each of these ingredients adds its unique warmth and depth to enhance the flavor of the dish.

What cooking method is best for lamb? ›

Fattier cuts of lamb should be roasted long and slow at a low temperature, while leaner cuts of meat should be cooked at a high temperature for the first several minutes and then at a lower temperature the rest of the time. Braising is a popular technique for cooking less-tender cuts of lamb.

Spices compliment Lamb, but it also holds its flavor with just salt and pepper. Lamb pairs well with fruits like pomegranates, apricots, figs. It also goes well with dairy, yogurt, and feta cheese.

Lamb Loin is where the most tender cuts come from, including loin chops and loin roasts. The loin is leaner than meat from the rack. Be careful not to overcook it, and be sure to use a dry-heat method such as broiling, grilling or roasting.

Cuts of lamb that are popular for slow cooking include the shoulder, leg, forequarter, shanks, neck chops, lamb ribs, and some sausages. These cuts are usually tougher because they have lots of connective tissue and fats, but this makes them perfect for slow and low methods of cooking.

Stew Meat You can make rich stews—from French lamb navarin to Indian rogan josh—using pieces cut from almost any part of a lamb. We think stew meat from the shoulder is best, as it becomes incomparably tender during stewing and braising.