Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew | Tender, Flavorful & Low-Carb

There is something incredibly satisfying about a slow-cooked lamb stew. Tender pieces of lamb, warm spices, tomatoes, onions and zucchini slowly cook together until the meat becomes beautifully tender and the flavors have had time to develop.

My Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew combines lamb shoulder with cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, star anise and cinnamon for a rich, aromatic dish that is a little different from the traditional potato-heavy lamb stew.

Even better, this recipe contains just 5 grams of net carbohydrates per serving when prepared with the keto alternatives, making it a wonderful option when you want comfort food without a carb-heavy meal. Serve it with my Cauliflower Couscous or Cauliflower Mash for a satisfying low-carb dinner.

Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 3 hours. Total time: 3 hours 15 minutes. Servings: 4. Calories: 303 per serving.

Watch My Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew Video

Want to see how I make it? Watch my Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew recipe video on YouTube for a step-by-step look at how this comforting stew comes together.

Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew Ingredients

• 2 lb lamb shoulder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh crushed ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon star anise seed
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (13.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon pressed garlic
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup zucchini, chopped

How to Make Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Slow cooking at a moderate temperature gives the lamb shoulder plenty of time to become tender while allowing the spices, tomatoes and aromatics to develop into a wonderfully rich sauce.

2. Season the Lamb

Generously season the lamb with salt and freshly ground pepper.

3. Sear the Lamb

Heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the lamb and sear it on all sides until beautifully browned. Do not rush this step. Browning the meat adds another layer of flavor to the finished stew. Transfer the browned lamb to a Dutch oven.

4. Add the Spices and Aromatics

Add the cumin, coriander, onion powder, fresh ginger, turmeric, star anise seed and cinnamon. Then add the chopped onion, fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic and white wine. Stir everything together so the lamb is surrounded by all those aromatic spices and vegetables.

5. Slow Cook the Lamb

Cover the Dutch oven and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 2½ hours. The long, gentle cooking time helps break down the lamb shoulder until it becomes wonderfully tender.

6. Add the Zucchini

Add the chopped zucchini and return the stew to the oven. Continue cooking for approximately 30 additional minutes. That brings the total cooking time to about three hours. Serve hot with your choice of side dish.

What Makes This Lamb Stew Different?

Many traditional lamb stew recipes rely heavily on potatoes and other starches. I wanted this version to be hearty and comforting while also providing an excellent option for people following a keto or lower-carbohydrate lifestyle.

The combination of cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, star anise and cinnamon gives the lamb a warm aromatic quality, while fire-roasted tomatoes and white wine create depth in the sauce. Zucchini provides another layer of vegetables without adding the carbohydrate load of potatoes.

What to Serve with Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew

Two of my favorite accompaniments for this recipe are also found in The Balanced Plate – Healthy Recipes with Keto Alternatives.

Cauliflower Couscous

Cauliflower couscous is a fantastic lower-carb alternative to traditional couscous. Its light texture makes it especially good underneath lamb stew because it absorbs the flavorful juices from the meat and tomatoes.

Cauliflower Mash

If you are craving traditional lamb stew with mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash gives you that creamy comfort-food experience with considerably fewer carbohydrates. Spoon the lamb and its rich sauce directly over the cauliflower mash.

Is Lamb a Good Source of Protein?

Yes. Lamb provides high-quality protein along with several important nutrients. One serving of this recipe provides 29 grams of protein, making it a substantial main course. Lamb also provides nutrients including iron, zinc and vitamin B12. Pairing it with vegetable-based sides such as cauliflower couscous or cauliflower mash creates a satisfying meal without relying on traditional starch-heavy accompaniments.

Why Lamb Shoulder Is Perfect for Slow Cooking

Lamb shoulder is particularly well suited to this type of recipe. Rather than trying to cook it quickly, giving the lamb several hours at a lower temperature allows the tougher connective tissues to soften. That is exactly what we are looking for in a stew: meat that is richly flavored and tender rather than dry or chewy.

Can I Make Lamb Stew Ahead of Time?

Absolutely. In fact, this is an excellent recipe to prepare one day ahead. After cooking, allow the stew to cool properly and refrigerate it overnight. The following day, gently reheat it until thoroughly heated. An overnight rest also gives all of those spices and savory flavors additional time to come together. That makes this a particularly convenient dish when you are entertaining and do not want to prepare the main course at the last minute.

More Lamb Recipes from The Balanced Plate

If you love lamb, you will find an entire collection of lamb dishes in my cookbook, The Balanced Plate – Healthy Recipes with Keto Alternatives. Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb is an elegant choice for entertaining, holidays or a special dinner. Lamb Kabobs are perfect for grilling and outdoor entertaining. Stuffed Lamb Peppers pair flavorful lamb with vegetables in a satisfying meal. Braised Lamb Shank is slow braised into an incredibly tender and rich main course. And Shepherd's Pie is one of the ultimate comfort-food dishes and another wonderful way to enjoy lamb. You will find these recipes, nutritional information, keto alternatives and many more dishes in The Balanced Plate by Chef Monika Jensen.

From The Balanced Plate

The Balanced Plate – Healthy Recipes with Keto Alternatives by Chef Monika Jensen is now available in stores. For more recipes, cooking videos and healthy meal inspiration, visit ChefMonikaJensen.com.