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Irish Stew (Classic Comfort Stew)

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A hearty, cozy stew inspired by traditional Irish cooking. Classic Irish stew often used budget-friendly ingredients like lamb, potatoes, and onions—simple and filling. This kid-friendly version works with lamb, beef, or chicken and lets you add the vegetables your family likes best. Make it in a slow cooker for an easy St. Patrick’s Day dinner!
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooker or Stovetop
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Irish stew-CHGT

Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 6–8 hours (LOW) or 60–90 minutes (stovetop) | Yield: 6–8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2–4 lb cubed lamb, beef, or chicken
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 quarts water, beef broth, or chicken broth (enough to cover)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Carrots, peeled and sliced (about 2–3 cups)
  • Potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 4–6 cups)
  • Onions, sliced (about 1–2 cups)

Optional Add-Ins (Great for "Use What You Have" Stew)

  • 1 cup peas (add near the end)
  • 1 cup celery, sliced
  • 1–2 teaspoons dried thyme or parsley
  • 1–2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch (to thicken)

Instructions

Slow Cooker Method (Easiest)

  1. Add meat, potatoes, carrots, and onions to the slow cooker.
  2. Pour in broth (or water) until ingredients are just covered. Add salt, pepper, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours (or HIGH for 4–6 hours), until meat is tender and potatoes are soft.
  4. Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm.

Stovetop Method

  1. Add all ingredients to a large soup pot. Pour in broth until ingredients are covered.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer (covered) for 60–90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender.
  3. Remove bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasoning. Serve warm.

Kid-Friendly Tips

  • Kids can wash potatoes and carrots and help add ingredients to the pot (with supervision)
  • Use a “counting” job: count potato cubes or carrot slices as they go in
  • Teach “bay leaves are not for eating”—remove them before serving
  • Serve with Irish soda bread for dipping

How to Thicken the Stew (Optional)

  • Easy mash method: Mash a few potato cubes against the side of the pot and stir in
  • Slurry: Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons cold water, stir into hot stew, simmer 3–5 minutes

Notes

Cooking times vary based on the size of your meat cubes and the type of meat used. For the most kid-friendly flavor, use beef or chicken and keep seasoning simple. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat gently.

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Recipe, image and content from Kids-Cooking-Activities.com