Red Wine Lamb Stew is the ultimate comfort food. Tender chunks of lamb with vegetables, submerged in red wine gravy.
If you love cooking with wine, this braised lamb dish will wow your dinner guests. All made in one pot. Once it is simmering away in the oven, you can enjoy a glass of wine and make some drop biscuits just in time for dinner.
This hearty one pot lamb stew with red wine and vegetables is a complete meal. Impressing and easy to make. Perfect for a cozy dinner, great for special occasions too.
Sometimes it is the simple recipes that really pack a punch. This braised meat dish really is easy to prepare. Your dutch oven does all the work.
Stew is always so hearty and comforting. Perfect for any night of the week. Great for leftovers too. My Irish Stew is always a hit with the family.
Using wine in recipes really does enhance the flavour. My homemade onion gravy is the perfect topper for steak, potatoes, and more. Speaking of steak the red wine in this meat marinade recipe makes the juiciest steaks ever.
I even use red wine to enhance the flavour of dried mushrooms in my spicy lentil pasta sauce.
Ingredients For Red Wine Lamb Stew
- lamb
- oil
- onion
- garlic
- dry red wine
- potatoes
- carrots
- peas
- canned diced tomatoes
- seasoning blend
- salt
- pepper
- flour
- water
Making Lamb Stew In A Dutch Oven
The most prep work for this dutch oven stew is cutting up the meat and vegetables. I suggest doing it all at once. That way everything will fall into place easily.
Braising is a very simple cooking method. You first brown the chunks of meat in oil to sear in the juices. Then you add the meat to a liquid in a tightly covered pot or casserole dish and cook it long and slow. This can be done either on the stovetop or in the oven.
Since I used a dutch oven, there are no extra pots and pans to deal with. Alternatively, you can use a frying pan and casserole dish to cook this recipe. See the recipe card for detailed instructions.
- Trim the lamb, and cut into chunks. Set aside.
- Dice the onion and place in a bowl.
- Cut the carrots and potatoes into bite-size pieces. If you are using baby potatoes, no need to peel them.
- Heat the oil in the dutch oven, or frying pan.
- Add the lamb in batches to sear. Set all cooked meat off to the side.
- Next, you will cook the onions and garlic.
- Add the flour and wine to make the sauce base.
- Add the tomatoes to the base, along with the water.
- Put the seared meat into the sauce and place it in the oven.
- In about an hour, add the carrots and potatoes. Return to the oven to cook for an additional hour.
- Add the peas, and cook for 30 minutes.
Your dutch oven does the rest of the work. The lamb braised in this red wine gravy turns out perfect, tender, and oh so delicious.
When it is time to eat, ladle into bowls and dig in. I will say, leftovers will be a hit since this stewed lamb recipe even tastes better the next day.
Suggestions/Recipe Tips
Spice Blend – I used Alhambra Merguez seasoning in this recipe for a North African/Moroccan inspired stew. You can use any blend you wish. Italian, Greek, or even a great curry blend will work.
Red Wine – dry red wine works best. It does not have to be expensive, but my suggestion is only to use wines you will enjoy drinking since you only need a cup in this recipe. The rest is for dinner. Alternatively, you can leave out the wine if you prefer.
Best Cut Of Lamb For Stew – For this recipe, I used a leg of lamb. It is a little lower in fat, and when cooked at a low temperature it becomes very tender. Alternatively, you could use the shoulder.
I like to buy a large leg, especially if you can find it on sale. Cut it into chunks. Keep what you need for this recipe, and portion the rest into freezer bags. Pop in the freezer for use later.
Vegetables – Potatoes, carrots, and peas are traditional stew vegetables. You can use any kind of potato you like. I like to leave the peel on mini potatoes. Other great additions would be turnip, parsnip, or rutabaga.
Canned Tomatoes – Any size will work, although I prefer mini diced. Do not drain the liquid. For a really robust tomato flavour these roasted tomatoes work like a charm. Just defrost, and blitz in a blender or use an immersion blender to break them up a bit.
Storing – this will keep for several days in the fridge. You will be surprised how the flavours will enhance. Keep it in a sealed container. Alternatively, you can freeze leftovers. They will last for several months in the freezer.
Reheating – I like to use my big soup mugs. Place the stew in the mugs, cover with foil, and heat in the oven. You can also reheat in a pot or even the microwave.
If you are reheating from frozen, you can defrost in the fridge first, or place the frozen stew in a casserole dish, cover and use a moderate oven (350ºF) to prevent it from burning while it warms. If you find the stew is too thick, just add some water to the gravy to thin it out.
For this recipe, I used my dutch oven. It works like a charm. The meat turns out tender and delicious. Since it can be used both on the stove and in the oven, I only have one pot to wash! If you prefer, you can simmer this stew on the stove top for about 2 hours instead of using the oven.
I have a few more lamb recipes for you to try:
- Kofta Kebabs are made with ground lamb and cooked on the grill. The ultimate bbq party recipe.
- Baked Lamb Rolls are a fun twist on egg rolls. Served with a delicious dipping sauce.
- Shepherd’s Pie – always a hit at the dinner table.
- Rack Of Lamb – the perfect meal for special occassions and holidays.
Red Wine Lamb Stew (Dutch Oven Braised)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds leg of lamb (trimmed and cut into 1 ½″ chunks)
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (your choice)
- 4 ounces onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 pounds potatoes (cut into chunks)
- 12 ounces carrots (cut into sliced)
- 10 ounces peas (fresh or frozen)
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
- 3 teaspoons Alhambra Merguez seasoning (or seasoning of your choice)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325º F.I used a cast iron dutch oven to cook the entire stew in from start to finish. You may choose to use a frying pan and casserole dish.
- Heat the dutch oven over med-high heat (or your frying pan) and 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Add the lamb (in a couple of batches) and brown on all sides. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. This should take about 20 minutes.
- When all the meat is done, add the remaining oil to the pot. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the salt, pepper and Merguez seasoning to the pot and mix well.
- Stir in the flour, mix well, and cook for 30 seconds.
- Whisk in the wine. Be sure to scrape up any brown bits, and smooth out any lumps from the flour. Cook for about 3 minutes, just to cook out some of the alcohol.
- Add the water, tomatoes (and juice) and bring to a boil. Stir to make sure there are no lumps. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Add the lamb, mix, cover and place in the oven for 1 hour.
- Remove from oven and add the carrots and potatoes. Cover and return to oven. Cook for 1 hour.
- Remove from oven and add the peas. Cover and return to oven. Cook for 30 minutes, or until veggies are nice and tender.
Byron Thomas
Oh, wow – this looks so delicious! I love a good hearty stew, but it’s been years since I’ve eaten lamb. As for dinner at home on Valentines, I’m all down for that. John.e and I used to go out for dinner earlier in our relationship, but grew rather tired of the crowds and the overpriced Valentine’s menu.
Homemade & Yummy
I never used to like lamb. Guess my first experience was a bad one. Now we totally love it. We don’t like the crowds and the high priced dinners either.
Fred
One of the great things about food bloggers networking is that certain meals that looked so difficult to make look a lot easier. This red wine Lamb stew does look like its filled with a lot of flavor. Where can I can i find the Alhambra Merguez seasoning? Thanks for sharing Gloria!
Homemade & Yummy
I did share a link on my post, or you can make your own. I also shared a link to what goes in the mix on the post as well.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
We simply love lamb but we always make a leg of lamb roast quite boring compared to your exotic stew. And we never go out for Valentine’s Day. In fact, we are of the mind that we make Valentine’s Day every day. Keeps the romance in our lives. Your lamb stew is getting pinned so I can make it once I get home to my Le Creuset Dutch Oven 🙂 Have a super weekend.
Homemade & Yummy
Totally agree….it is not just one day of the year. I used a leg of lamb in this stew…it works perfectly. I love my dutch oven…I have 2!!
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
I don’t really celebrate Valentines Day! And to be honest don’t really go out to eat much anytime. But for the most part I think you can always make better food at home and this stew is just proof of that!
Homemade & Yummy
Totally agree…the food is much better at home.
Eyecandypopper
Beautiful, you had me at Moroccan spices! It’s a flavour that is not used enough, and it’s incredible! I also totally agree with cooking together, and spending more time enjoying each others’ company, slowing down, and not glued on our smartphones. 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH….yes it is a great way to spend some quality time together.
Wendy
I have been doing a lot of cooking with Moraccan spices and flavors this winter in stews, tangines, and even the crock pot! The cooking smells are wonderful and the flavors are so warming! This does look like a stew worthy of a celebration!
Homemade & Yummy
Moroccan cooking is so delicious. I love using my tagine too.
Natalie
We never go out on Valentine’s Day, but make a special dinner at home instead. I love the flavour and aroma of Moroccan spices. They’re so warm and inviting. This stew looks incredible. Definitely Valentine’s Day worthy?
Homemade & Yummy
Staying home is so much more enjoyable. The food is better, cheaper,no crowds…and you have leftovers for another day.
Veena Azmanov
This time valentine dinner is going to be homemade – think i’m going to try this Gloria.. Thanks
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you enjoy it. We always stay home…we find it much more relaxing, cheaper…and frankly the food is better at home. But you would know that too.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
I actually DON’T celebrate Valentines Day. (I prefer to read the gross origin stories about St Valentine hahaha.) I do appreciate a good date night dinner though! Especially if the hubs is cookin’! 😀
Homemade & Yummy
It is a delicious dinner for any night of the week.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
We usually stay in and cook, if anything we will go out a couple days before or after. This stew sounds like a great way to cozy up and stay warm!
Homemade & Yummy
Staying in is so much better, and so is the food.
Erica
I totally agree with you about staying in on Valentine’s Day! Last year, I decorated our dining room like a fancy restaurant and then we cooked a prime rib together with simple sides. We definitely enjoyed our time together and the food was fantastic! As it’s still been so cold here, your lamb stew sounds perfect as I have not yet picked out our menu for this year, thank you!
Homemade & Yummy
Decorating the house is a great idea too. Seriously I don’t understand why people pay so much money to celebrate this day.
Aish Das-Padihari
I rarely cook with wine but I know for a fact that, wine can add a lot of taste to any dish. Especially meat. I also make a lamb and potato curry but I make it Indian style.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes, wine does add flavour, along with making the meat tender. Your curry sounds delicious too.
Melissa @ My Wife Can Cook
Looks amazing! We never go out for Valentine’s Day. I definitely prefer making something delicious at home! This looks perfect for that!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes we always stay home too. The food is better, and save us a lots of money.
The FoodOlic
Doesn’t this look like a hearty soup, filled with exotic Moroccan flavors! Yum! what is in the Alhambra Merguez seasonning exactly?
Homemade & Yummy
It’s a wonderful blend of cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cayenne…to name a few. So aromatic and totally delicious.
Corina @ Searching for Spice
What a delicious stew! I love Moroccan spices and I’d happily eat this for Valentine’s Day. We’ll just be having a nice meal at home this year. Probably something delicious but uninventive like steak to keep my husband happy!
Homemade & Yummy
Cooking/celebrating at home is so much nicer. We do it all the time.