This Slow Cooker Lamb Stew with Apricots recipe is a comfort food that is one of the simplest ways to enjoy the robust flavor of lamb without too much effort. Hopefully, you have tried our Lamb Stew with Rosemary and Potatoes by now; if not, try that one next. Lamb is one of our favorite foods to prepare and this dish takes it to new levels. This recipe is kosher, non-dairy, and gluten free. Read on to learn how to make the best Slow Cooker Lamb Stew recipe from scratch.
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Why This Recipe Works
Not all of our family and guests like the different spices in traditional Moroccan Lamb Stew. As a result, we developed this dish which is inspired by Moroccan Lamb Stew but not as spicy. Some of the things we love about this dish are that it is:
- Easy to make. This is a one pot lamb stew recipe. No fussing or complicated steps to take. Put the ingredients into the slow cooker, set the timer, dinner is done!
- Quick to prepare. The only prep work you have to do for this lamb stew is to sear the pieces of lamb stew meat and then cut the onions. Throw everything else into the pot and let your slow cooker do the rest of the work.
- A great way to introduce people to lamb. Lamb is not one of those meats that is as popular in American kosher cuisine as in other countries. As a result, many people need a good introduction to lamb as a food. This dish is a nice and easy way to introduce lamb to newbies.
Making Slow Cooker Lamb Stew with Apricots step by step:
Step 1 - Sear the lamb
Heat a little bit of olive oil in a heavy pan or cast iron skillet over medium/high heat. When the pan is hot, put the lamb stew meat pieces in for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove the lamb once it is brown on all sides.
Step 2 - Put all of the ingredients into the slow cooker
Chop the onions and potatoes and then toss them into your Crock Pot, Instant Pot, or other slow cooker along with the lamb, beef broth or beef stock, wine, apricots, prunes, and thyme. Then, slice the top off of a bulb of garlic and push it down in the middle of the slow cooker.
Step 3 - Cook
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Note that the Lamb Stew will appear a little bit watery right after you take it off of the heat. As it cools it will thicken up.
Recipe FAQ
This is not a sponsored post so I am under no obligation to promote a specific brand. Some of the more popular slow cookers are Crock Pot and Instant Pot. For this recipe we used this Crock Pot.
Absolutely. Because it takes 8 hours of cooking time you may want to make it in advance to have at a later time. If you are freezing it for later, let the stew cool and then spoon it into an airtight plastic bag. Lamb stew will keep very well this way for up to 6 months.
While we like the slow cooker for this recipe because of how simple it is, you do not have to use one. You can use a covered 6 quart pot or dutch oven instead of the slow cooker. Over medium heat, add all of the ingredients into the pot. Then, lower the flame to low and make sure to stir it about once per hour to make sure that nothing is burning to the bottom.
Serving suggestions
- Serve over rice. Basmati or Jasmine rice are great to serve Lamb Stew over. You can even serve it over our Authentic Spanish Rice; the flavors compliment each other. If you are making this recipe on Passover, quinoa makes a great substitute for rice.
- Alongside pita. Serve the Lamb Stew hot in a bowl alongside warm pita. Use the pita to clean your bowl.
- Spice it up. If you like the base lamb stew flavors but feel like it needs a touch of heat, add 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes. Add more or less to adjust to your taste.
- Beef stew recipe with apricots. Try this same recipe using beef stew bones instead of lamb stew bones.
- French fries with lamb stew. If you have never tried it, start with this suggestion. Make a use french fries as a base and ladle the stew on. Use a fork and bring plenty of napkins!
- Make it for Shabbat. Set the slow cooker to low just before candle lighting and serve lamb stew for Shabbat lunch.
More recipes like this one
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Lamb Stew with Apricots
Equipment
- cast iron skillet or heavy pan
Ingredients
- 4 lbs lamb stew meat
- 3 potatoes sliced into chunks
- ½ cup dried apricots
- ½ cup prunes
- 1 onion medium
- 1 bulb of garlic
- 1 cup sweet red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 sprig thyme
Instructions
- Sear the lamb stew meat in an iron skillet over a medium/high flame.
- Place the lamb stew meat pieces, chopped onion, chopped potatoes, apricots, prunes, water, wine, and garlic bulb into the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
Notes
Serving suggestions
- Serve over rice. Basmati or Jasmine rice are great to serve Lamb Stew over. You can even serve it over our Authentic Spanish Rice; the flavors compliment each other. If you are making this recipe on Passover, quinoa makes a great substitute for rice.
- Alongside pita. Serve the Lamb Stew hot in a bowl alongside warm pita. Use the pita to clean your bowl.
- Spice it up. If you like the base lamb stew flavors but feel like it needs a touch of heat, add 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes. Add more or less to adjust to your taste.
- Beef stew recipe with apricots. Try this same recipe using beef stew bones instead of lamb stew bones.
- French fries with lamb stew. If you have never tried it, start with this suggestion. Make a use french fries as a base and ladle the stew on. Use a fork and bring plenty of napkins!
- Make it for Shabbat. Set the slow cooker to low just before candle lighting and serve lamb stew for Shabbat lunch.
