Traditional Irish Stew

4.7
(135)
108 Reviews
13 Photos

Irish stew is more commonly made with lamb in Ireland. It's easy to prep and then let it cook slowly until the meat and vegetables are fall-apart tender and the broth is full of flavor. Every Irish household has its own recipe for this comforting dish and this is my mom's. It's perfect on a cold day or on St. Patrick's Day served with a pint of Guinness, of course!

By
Ita Mac Airt
Photo of Ita Mac Airt
Ita Mac Airt

Ita Mac Airt is a longtime member of the Allrecipes Editorial team, starting in the original Seattle headquarters as one of the site's first content producers. She went on to manage several of Allrecipes' international websites before rejoining the Allrecipes.com editorial team in 2023.

Allrecipes' editorial guidelines
Updated on February 17, 2025
13
a close view of a bowl of traditional Rrish stew.
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13
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs
Servings:
6
Jump to Nutrition Facts

This hearty Irish stew with tender and flavorful lamb and potatoes in a rich broth is comfort in a bowl. Make it for St Patrick's Day or anytime you need a warming meal.

Irish Stew Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this comforting Irish stew recipe: 

  • Oil: Cook the lamb in a tablespoon of olive oil. 
  • Lamb shoulder: Traditional Irish stew is made with lamb, but you can use boneless beef chuck if you prefer. 
  • Seasonings: Season the meat with salt and pepper. Fresh rosemary gives the stew flavor, while a fresh parsley garnish adds a pop of color. 
  • Vegetables: You’ll need an onion, carrots, potatoes, and leeks for this hearty Irish stew. 
  • Water: The broth starts with four cups of water. 

How to Make Irish Stew

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade Irish stew: 

  1. Cook the lamb pieces until evenly browned, then season with salt and pepper. 
  2. Add the onion, carrots, and parsnips, then stir in the water. Cover and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce the heat and simmer until lamb is tender. 
  4. Stir in the potatoes and simmer, then add the leeks and rosemary. 
  5. Continue to simmer uncovered, until potatoes are tender.
  6. Serve garnished with parsley. 

How to Store Irish Stew

Store the Irish stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove. 

Can You Freeze Irish Stew? 

Yes, you can freeze Irish stew for up to three months. Make sure to leave a bit of space at the top of your freezer-safe container to allow for expansion. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“I love a good Irish Stew and this is my first attempt at making it from scratch," says Minion69. "It turned out fantastic - as good if not better than what I get in Dublin on my frequent trips there!”

“Great flavor!" raves Dean Francis. "I put all the ingredients except parsnips into a slow cooker and cooked on high for 2 ½ hrs. The rosemary is a must!”

“A nice hearty stew with pure, simple flavors,” according to Diana Moutsopoulos. “The juices are divine and beg to be mopped up with some good crusty bread.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1 ½ inch pieces

  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to to taste

  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 large onion, sliced

  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks

  • 1 parsnip, peeled and cut into large chunks (Optional)

  • 4 cups water, or as needed

  • 3 large potatoes, peeled and quartered

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (Optional)

  • 1 cup coarsely chopped leeks

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients for Irish Stew Recipe including meat and vegetables.

    ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA

  2. Heat oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add lamb pieces and cook, stirring gently, until evenly browned. Season with salt and pepper.

    Browning beef for Irish Stew Recipe in blue casserole pot.

    ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA

  3. Stir in onion and cook for a few minutes. Stir in water and add carrots and parsnips (if using). Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer until lamb is tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    Broth added to meat in pot for Irish Stew Recipe.

    ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA

  4. Stir in potatoes, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, before adding leeks and rosemary. Continue to simmer uncovered, until potatoes are tender but still whole.

    Vegetables and herbs added to broth for Irish Stew Recipe.

    ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA

  5. Serve piping hot in bowls garnished with fresh parsley.

    Final Irish Stew Recipe in blue pot on wooden board.

    ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA

  6. Enjoy!

    a close view of a bowl of traditional Rrish stew.

    Allrecipes/Ana Cadena

Cook’s Note

If you use a tougher cut of meat, you can leave it to simmer longer before adding the potatoes.

Parsnips and fresh rosemary are not traditional ingredients in Irish stew but my mom added them for a touch of sweetness and delicious flavor. You can add the parsnips with the potatoes if you prefer.

159 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

381 Calories
10g Fat
37g Carbs
35g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 381
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 97mg 32%
Sodium 318mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 13%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 35g 69%
Vitamin C 17mg 19%
Calcium 62mg 5%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 1338mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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