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Irish Stew served and ready to eat

Irish Stew

Tender lamb slowly braised with potatoes, onions and pearl barley — Ireland's most comforting one-pot meal.

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⏱️
15 minPrep
🔥
2 hrCook
🍽️
5Serves
📊
EasyLevel
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Ingredients

  • 800g lamb neck or shoulder, cubed
  • 3 onions, sliced
  • 4 carrots, chunked
  • 3 leeks, sliced
  • 1kg potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup pearl barley
  • 1 litre lamb or chicken stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Parsley

Instructions

  1. Brown the lamb in oil in batches; set aside.
  2. Soften the onion, carrot and leek in the same pot.
  3. Return the lamb with stock, barley, bay and thyme.
  4. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook gently for 1 hour.
  5. Add the potatoes; cook another 45 minutes until everything is tender.
  6. Season generously and finish with parsley.
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Tara’s tips

  • Use lamb on the bone for the richest flavour.
  • The potatoes break down a little and thicken the broth naturally.

Serving suggestions

  • Serve with crusty bread.

Storage & reheating

Keeps 4 days; better the next day; freezes well.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is not yet available for this recipe. Values vary with portion size and exact ingredients — we will add verified figures here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Beef instead?

Yes — use beef shin or chuck and add 30 minutes cooking.

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