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 lamb recipe 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.
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.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this old-fashioned lamb stew can be found at the bottom of this post.
Red Wine Lamb Stew Ingredients:
- lamb
- oil
- onion
- garlic
- dry red wine
- potatoes
- carrots
- peas
- canned diced tomatoes
- seasoning blend
- salt
- pepper
- flour
- water
How To Make 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.
I LOVE Le Creuset products and have several different pieces in my kitchen. For this recipe, I used (*affiliate) my Round French Oven. It works like a charm. The meat turns out tender and delicious.
Bonus, since it can be used both on the stove and in the oven, I only have 1 pot to wash!
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Since cooking with lamb is so delicious, 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.
Be sure to check out all my soups, chilis and stews.
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.
Amanda
We never had lamb growing up, and the times I tried it, it just didn’t work for me. But I do love this recipe and will try it with a different meat. Moroccan flavors are some of my favorites. 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
I totally understand. I did not like it the first time I tried it either. It wasn’t until I started cooking it myself that I began to enjoy it.
debi at Life Currents
I don’t think we usually do much of anything for Valentine’s day. Maybe make a special dinner, but we certainly don’t go out. Too many people & too expensive. Your stew looks like the perfect answer.
Homemade & Yummy
It is much more enjoyable to spend the time at home…I totally agree.
Ali @ Home & Plate
What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I love lamb but usually eat it in chop form. Love the idea of using lamb in stew. And the rest of the roundup looks delicious too. Especially the blackberry mousse. YUM!
Homemade & Yummy
It was a fun collaboration. Lots there to choose from for sure.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
I love lamb any way I can get it! This stew looks and sounds AMAZING – so much flavor packed into one bowl!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it sure is one flavourful dish.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
We never go out for Valentines Day because the restaurants are too crowded, the menus are too expensive and I’m happier opening a good bottle of wine and celebrating at home… with a home cooked meal – like this beautiful stew! Lamb is one of my go-tos, definitely want to try!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes eating at home is so much more enjoyable and relaxing…not to mention affordable too.
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery
This looks amazing – I enjoy lamb, but I’ve only roasted legs of lamb at home. I like the idea of a lamb stew, and the red wine addition makes it worthy of a special occasion or date night.
Homemade & Yummy
Leg of lamb works great in this stew.
Leah
I love all the flavor in this stew, it just sounds so warm and comforting! We don’t go out for Valentine’s either, so I totally agree with you on that!
Homemade & Yummy
It is a great comfort food dish anytime of the year…but works great for special times too.
Giselle Rochford
I had a Moroccan roommate once who made something similar to this, but without the lamb because she was pescatarian. It was amazing and I’m sure this one is epic too. Definitely need to try a vegan version of this some time!
p.s. Those pancakes look hella yummy too ?
Homemade & Yummy
Well a non meat version would work too.
swathi
Homemade red wine lamb stew sound perfect for Valentine menu.as a spice lover I can agree with you that Moroccan spices goes well with lamb.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they sure do. We love Moroccan spices the most with lamb. Red wine speaks for itself.
Derek | Dad With A Pan
Sometimes the best valentines day dinners are the ones that your significant other truley enjoys. Doesn’t always need to be cutesy with hearts all over them. This stew looks amazing!
Homemade & Yummy
Simple, and elegant. Perfect for the celebration. Easy to make too.
Megan Marlowe
Truth be told, I’ve never made lamb! This stew looks hearty and delicious and just the thing I need to get me through this freezing Winter! I am not waiting for a special occasion to make this stew!
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…well enjoy. It is perfect comfort food anytime for sure.
Lynn | The Road to Honey
Sometimes we go out while other times we stay home. Personally the restaurants are always so crowded in Boston that I think it is almost better to celebrate the day after Valentines Day. That said, if this stew were involved, I know my hubby would want to stay in. Lamb is his very favorite protein.
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…well hope you give it a try. I know he would love it. Spend some time making it together…while sipping some wine.
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
This looks totally delicious. Love a good lamb stew. Do you know where I can get Alhambra Merguez in the UK?
Homemade & Yummy
I have included a link that explains what is in the spice mix. It would be easy to mix up your own blend for sure.
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
I don’t eat a lot of lamb but have a feeling it would be very tasty in this stew. I love the Moroccan spices you used!!
Homemade & Yummy
This is a delicious and easy stew to make. Time is the factor….but great for the weekend.
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
I don’t eat a lot of lamb but I have a feeling it would be very tasty in this stew. Love the Moroccan spices you used in this.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it sure does work well in stew. The spices really make this dish sing with flavour.