
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Tonight we’re celebrating not with corned beef and cabbage, but Irish Stew. Now don’t get me wrong, I love corned beef and cabbage, but to be honest, I prefer Irish stew for sentimental reasons. My grandparents, who were from Belfast, never had corned beef and cabbage growing up. It wasn’t until they came to America that they had corned beef and cabbage. According to this New York Times article, corned beef and cabbage is definitely more of an American tradition than Irish.

In any event, here is my version of Irish Stew. It was inspired by Nanny’s, with a little help from Darina Allen in terms of quantities. This dish can be served on any cold night; there is no need to wait for St. Patrick’s Day!

“May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
Quick to make friends.
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing
But happiness
From this day forward.”
Sláinte
Irish Stew
Ingredients:
2 pounds lamb stew meat
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/3” thick
1 pound onion, peeled and sliced ½” thick
4-5 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1” chunks
salt and freshly ground pepper
water
½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 sprig fresh thyme
3-4 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
In a large dutch oven, layer the meat and vegetables beginning with the lamb, followed by the potatoes, carrots, and onions. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Follow with another layer of meat, potatoes, carrots and onions, seasoning with salt and pepper. Add any remaining meat, carrots and onions and finish with a layer of potatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
Fill dutch oven 2/3 of the way full with water. Add thyme and cover. Bring to a boil over medium high heat and reduce to a simmer. Keep covered and simmer for 1-2 hours or until meat is tender.
Just before serving, stir in fresh parsley. Serve hot with freshly baked soda bread.









Looks fantastic! Thank you for sharing this! 👏👏👏👏👏
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Natascha!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😙😙😙😙💚💚💚💚💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
And Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My family are from Belfast too! The Irish bit anyway. But that aside – we never EVER had corned beef and cabbage in the UK (delicious as it is) but Irish Stew and its cousin Scouse in LIverpool or more widely Lancashire Hotpot are the bees knees. Enjoy yours and I will dip into your recipe when my Scouse husband falls off the plane from Hawaii and expects some home cooking. And I hope perhaps you might take up my invitation later in the year for the 14th July party I am hosting (that’s Bastille Day to the uninitiated). Let’s meet beforehand because I would be honoured if you would join us. Sláinte 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am – with your good help 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a small world, Fiona!!! We were in Belfast last summer and loved it. It was very special to show the kids where my/their “people” (as Nanny would say) were from. We definitely have to compare stories. And I am honored to be included in the Bastille celebration. Vive la France! And, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That must have been wonderful!! When my uncle (dads brother who passed last year) had his 80th birthday party it was Kennedy’s only and I met so many of my Belfast relations for the first time. Now my baby (nearly 21) at uni in Liverpool has three best friends from Belfast – they are absolutely hilarious!
LikeLiked by 2 people
A perfect way to celebrate Jean 😀 The stew looks delicious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Antonia! We love it any night… though it does seem extra special on St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a beautiful stew! My sweet hubby would love it! Thanks for sharing. ~Blessings~
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Rebecca! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀
LikeLike
Looks wonderful!! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Anna! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you too! 🍀🌈🍀
LikeLiked by 2 people
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful stew, so different, lovely flavors and the layering makes it sounds so delicious! I can smell it right now!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jean the stew and soda bread is just perfect, I also read that corned beef and cabbage is an American tradition rather than Irish. The poem is beautiful and such a wonderful sentiment. A very Happy St Patricks Day to you and yours.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Suzanne! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you, too (and sweet Percy!). 🍀
LikeLike
Lovely stew along with the Irish Soda bread! Happy St. Patricks day , Jean 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, your stew looks so divine, so lovely and healthy. My ultimate comfort food and yummy served with your soda bread 🙂 Happy St Patrick’s Day 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Lynne! You’re right.. ultimate comfort food!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How perfect in every way, Jean! That is one of the most beautiful soda breads that I’ve seen in a while too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Lana!!! The bread was just the right vehicle for sopping up the broth. 😋
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha, Jean! Great idea!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very topical!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
And an easy dinner any night! 🍀
LikeLike
What a gorgeous Irish Stew. I bet the house smelled wonderful! Happy Belated St. Patrick’s Day!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hope you and yours had a lovely St. Patrick’s Day, Kathryn!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We did, complete with Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Potatoes. American Style, I guess! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
🇺🇸🍀🇮🇪
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely! I made bacon and cabbage slow cook in the oven… Kind of “Modern-Trad” with a a leek and dill sauce 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
The slow cooked bacon and cabbage with dill and leek sauce sounds amazing, Franck! I hope it’s makes it as a blog post!! 🍀
LikeLiked by 2 people
I didn’t take pictures last Thursday, as I was having a resting day, but I will do it again soon, I promise! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can relate! I made mussels the other night- so easy and delicious, but didn’t take pics. Will just have to make them again… 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
“me time” is very important too! Looking forward to that, I have great stories about the good auld mussel 🙂 Happy Sunday to you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love a good stew! Thanks Jean 🙂 I hope you had a great holiday!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Sadie! I have a weakness for soups and stews! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
So amazing! Perfect dinner! Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We love stew in our house, whether it’s with lamb or beef. Your Irish stew recipe is a fantastic one and makes a perfect St. Patrick’s Day meal with the soda bread. I hope you had a lovely day! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was a lovely day, thank you Millie! The house smelled so good and everyone’s bellies were warm and happy. 🍀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just as they should be. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahh Jean, I think I can smell it cooking! I love all your preparation photos. Hugs!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Teagan! There’s nothing better than walking into a house and smelling good food on the stove! xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Looks delicious! I could probably just use beef, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Eli! Thanks for stopping by… beef would work perfectly in this recipe, an easy swap for the lamb. Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mmmm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of my favourite recipes! Plus Ireland is such a beautiful place. I fell in love from the get-go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ireland is so beautiful… stunning landscapes and incredible people. The food is a bonus to the gorgeous backdrop! 🍀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet your stew was delicious made with the lamb…proper Irish stew. I had to smile, I’ve got the same napkins as those in your photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We love lamb, especially in this stew. So simple, but the flavor just shines, and with bread to sop up the broth- yum, it almost makes me wish for cold weather! The napkins are too funny… great minds think alike, Karen. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
The stew looks so delicious and traditional…thanks for posting this recipe😊
LikeLike