One pot Bacon Braised Lamb Stew! A paleo friendly Lamb stew full of wholesome vegetables and hearty flavor! Minimal ingredients and easy to make. Let’s just say the bacon and lamb combo together do wonders. Great for family dinners, freezer friendly, and whole 30 option.
I think you all would agree that stew is one of the best comfort foods, right? That and soup, especially this flu buster soup. But braised lamb stew would be my cozy stew of choice. And there is a reason for this. Like A BIG CORNY COTTER reason.
You see, Lamb stew is one of my husband’s favorite dishes! He’s from New Zealand and misses eating lamb on a regular basis! So whenever I make this, it reminds him of home. Which makes me happy because he’s happy. Ya know?
But here’s where I get corny and a little personal. Yes, I’m realizing you all would like me to be more personal.
Grab yourself a bowl and let’s chat.
Right now, at this very moment, my husband is very much jet lagged. He spent the last two and a half weeks visiting family and such in New Zealand. Let’s just say he needed a break from current some job dilemmas (again). PLus we are ALWAYS exploring ways to eventually MOVE there, so off he went. It’s all up in the air right now, and of course, nothing is concrete. It won’t be for another month, but still…. there is game plan to get back to New Zealand in 4-5 years. Life in the land of KIWI fruit and all things LORD OF THE RINGS. You know I had to go there.
Anyways, this past year took us for one heck of a ride. New career, new city, new state, new everything, new hardships (work, marriage, health, etc). But in all seriousness, our true identities were really shown through. We were a husband and wife team starting over. In all areas. On another (new) path. A path that was still quite unclear.
And as I mentioned in my January’s ONE THING post, life needed a REFOCUS! A focus on health, our marriage, and purposeful living.
So here I am today with a desire to nurture that one thing with lamb stew. Why? Because it reminds my husband that home is where we are, even if we can’t be in New Zealand.
Because it nurtures our bodies and souls (enter corniness) with real food. Whole 30 and paleo friendly food! Because through the whole bacon braising and lamb stewing process is like nurturing your senses. It helps you slow down and savor all the things. The smell of bacon tends to do that to me, you know… ponder life (end corniness).
Darn, I should have photographed a picture of us with our nose smelling the stew. Just kidding! But I digress. Keep looking at the stew.. ohh.. ahh, yum!
Back to my point…. while slow cooking (braising) this lamb stew, I rediscovered the wife who LOVES being a wife, and taking the time to actually BE one. Whether that be cooking a favorite meal or supporting ANY and ALL dreams and plans!
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One Pot Bacon Braised Lamb Stew {Paleo Friendly}
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 65 min
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
This paleo friendly Lamb stew is PACKED full of vegetables and flavor! Minimal ingredients and easy to make. Whole30 friendly.
Ingredients
- 2 oz uncured bacon strips
- 2 tbsp tapioca flour (or other gluten free flour/starch of choice)
- 1 1/2 lbs of lamb or lamb loin (stew meat or chopped)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 sea salt (or to taste)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 tsp minced garlic (or about 2 cloves)
- 3 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock (gluten free)
- Optional 1 tsp sweetener (see instructions)
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups chopped potato (use sweet potato for paleo option)
- 1/4 cup white wine (omit for paleo)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- First, make sure all your veggies are chopped. Set aside.
- Next place bacon strips in a large stock pot or dutch oven. Cook . Drain half the bacon grease out keep the other half in the pot. Save 1 tbsp of the bacon fat for later on. Crumble or chop the bacon into smaller pieces. Set aside.
- Next coat your lamb with gluten free flour and add this to your pot with bacon grease.
- Brown your lamb on medium with the bacon fat. Cook until lamb looks tender and more brown. This will vary depending on the size pieces of your lamb. Anywhere between 6-10 minutes.
- Once the lamb is browned, drain any extra grease fat leaving a little extra in the pot for flavor.
- Next add your pepper, salt, onion, and garlic to the pot with the lamb.
- Saute till onion begins to become golden. If you have any bacon fat left that you drained out at the beginning, add it back into the pot (it adds more flavor but is optional) with the garlic-onion mixture.
- Add your bacon pieces, stock, and optional sugar or honey (omit for whole 30 option). Cover and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes.
- Add your carrots, celery, potatoes, white wine, and bay leaf and thyme.
- Stir and simmer again (between low and medium low) covered for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.Remove bay leaf once ready to serve.
Notes
Add more broth or water to adjust thickness of stew. Feel free to add more or less salt as well.
Omit sugar/sweetener for whole 30 option.
- Category: main
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3.5g
- Sodium: 566.4mg
- Fat: 11.5g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Carbohydrates: 17.2g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85.5mg
Keywords: braised lamb stew, gluten free, paleo, whole30
So here you go. Bacon Braised Paleo Lamb Stew. A stew to feed a hungry man or your clan. A stew that will nourish you and keep you warm.
Here’s what you need to make this “lamb stew for the soul.”
- Fresh veggies: Potatoes, celery, onion.
- Herbs like bay leaf & thyme.
- Uncured Bacon and lamb stew meat
- Chicken broth
- Pepper, Sea salt, and garlic.
- Optional white wine.
That’s about it! And trust me, it’s easier to make than it looks! So go stew away and make some good memories.
Oh and while you’re at it, make some egg free gluten free homemade buttermilk biscuits and serve this for St. Patrick Day! It will bring you extra luck. Just sayin…
I might have gone overboard on the corniness.. but hey, we all need a big hug sometimes, right?!
What’s your go to comfort meal or stew?
Cheers,
I just made this stew and it was delish! I shouldnt have added so much extra broth but I still loved it. Next time I will be more careful. I put in a turnip along with everything else and next time I think I will add another and NO potato at all.
Thank You for the yummy st paddys day idea.
Oh what a great idea! Love the turnip addition
Mmmm, I can just feel the warmth in my belly! Perfect comfort food without the guilt.
★★★★★
You had me at bacon. And lamb. Two of my favourites!
★★★★★
This looks SO good!!! I can’t wait to make it this fall!
★★★★★
My husband loves both lamb and bacon! With this cool, rainy weather, it’s the perfect time to whip up a batch!
★★★★★
The knowledge you share really changes me in life, I sincerely thank you for the things you have done, sure your blog will help more people.
★★★★★
Hi! I stumbled upon this recipe while looking for gluten free lamb stew (when my first search revealed flour is typically used in this recipe). I relied on your recipe and it was great!! A couple notes: 2 ounces of bacon definitely did not provide 1/4 cup of grease. I used what I had though. Also, it took the onions wayyyyy linger than 5 mins to turn golden considering how much lamb was in the pot – it was probably took about 15 mins. Lastly, guidance on flame/heat level would have been super helpful. Hope this feedback is received well… just meaning to help! 🙂
★★★★
Oh Meredith, thank you! I recently switched recipe cards and some of my updated steps did not transfer so I switched back. This was one recipe I forgot to switch back. I will for sure go do that now and update with your notes. .
What a cozy Whole 30 dish! I need to try this ASAP
How exciting moving to New Zealand! Keep us posted!
Well hopefully ? but we probably have 4 more years and another move before that haha oye!
Excited for dinner tonight! Thank you for sharing, Lindsay! And best of luck on your moving adventure.
Wonderful! Let me know what you think!
Oh, man. So good! Top score.
awesome!
Wait, I thought you created lamb recipes just for me?! 😉
Well you know how I feel about this side of the world… And I also know how hard it is to move to the other side of the world… But how wonderful and fantastic it can be too. It was EXACTLY what david and I needed, both individually and together. Whatever you decide I hope to brings all the happiness you deserve 🙂
but i did make it for you! for when i come visit! right? xxoo
Totally! You will always be welcome in Perth! 🙂
I am so excited for all the wonderful things that are going to come your way!! Can’t wait to hear more!
This stew looks absolutely delicious!! I have to try it! 🙂
So, I am sending you an e-mail right now – we have a mutual friend in common!!! Talk about small world!! 🙂
yes! love that we know the same people. great people!
Friend! I love this post – the recipe MUST make, I adore lamb, and soup, and all of this. but most of all, I love the peek into your life and what you two are up to right now and I love the exploring, I love that you two are connecting and moving forward, together. and I love that you’ve rediscovered you. Love you, always in my prayers! XO
I adore you! Can we catch up soon???
I love lamb, thanks for sharing!!
Okay, I know nothing is set in stone or anything, but HOW EXCITING! I am happy for you and what may be ahead. Go for it! BTW, love this stew.
thank you so much friend! I adore you and your support. <3 always here for you too
Ummmmmmmm, cookies for comfort! 😉
always!
Wait…you said “ground lamb”? It doesn’t look ground! Was it from coating it in the flour? So yummy-looking, indeed 🙂
HOW EXCITING if you were to move to New Zealand!! I’ve never been…
OH good eye! thanks, i need to correct that. You can use ground lamb or lamb loin chopped. <3
This sounds wonderful! I love lamb but no one else in my family does. It’s possible though that they wouldn’t recognize it in the stew, especially with the added flavor of bacon. I may have to sneak this one in. Nice recipe!
Oh let me know if you do vicki!
Bacon is all sorts of powerful isn’t it?!
This stew is comfort central in a bowl b ut GAH – y’all are moving??? Happy and sad at the same time as I haven’t had a chance to say Hi to your face…hopefully I will before y’all go! And you are gonna have to have a Healthy Bites supplier here in the US – because I might need my fix!
xx
Haha we don’t know if we are moving. So there’s time!!! Xxoo
we are for certain yet, but if we do, please come visit!!
2 things.
1) I am drooling over this recipe!
2) If you move to Kiwi country, I’m coming to visit!
Yes! COME!!!
New Zealand?! You have to read the article I just posted on FB – top countries to move to if Trump get elected. We may be right behind you. LOL!
I love lamb. Vegas refuses to eat it. Says it’s too gamey. So now I only have it when we go out… or when we move to NZ. 😉
OH. And because I apparently can’t reply to blog comments in a timely manner… I didn’t even think to ask you about PRP. Fail. I hope it works for me too!
But with the bacon…. it’s not as gamey. Just sayin
I’ve never cooked lamb and probably only eaten it a few times but this looks luscious, plus hubs loves all the meats, especially bacon. PS I’m going to be in your neck of the woods next Saturday- I need to email you for some recs!
oh yay! email me!
I think you already know the answer to this…I am actually going to make it tonight…Mom’s Meatballs and Spaghetti! XOXO
yes! MEAT!!! haha
I mean anything with bacon is so good and if you’re making it, I know it’s going to be outstanding! This soup looks amazing! I looking out my office window and it’s cold and cloudy and I think i need this soup right now!
totally a warming soup! i think the husband would like this. Right?
This looks delicious! I love soups as comfort foods too! And I’m excited for y’all at what’s to come!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ohhh girlllllll this looks so good! I’m excited to hear what adventures 2016 has in store for you and Kiwi. Sounds like whatever it is, it’ll be better than 2015 😀 Happy Friday!
Thank you food twin!
You are coming to Chicago (or I am coming to Austin) before/if you move. My husband would love this!
Bacon seems to make all things better doesn’t it. You guys are such an awesome couple and so good to hear that you are getting through this new change and you are doing it together! Exploring New Zealand would be quite the adventure!
thank you friend! xxoo
You had me at bacon, lamb and one pot 🙂 I know that balance of personal is so hard on the blog now for me as well! My husband is actually in Seattle for a few days with his family although we will not be moving there (they’d love us to though, ha)
Lots of hugs to you! You guys seem like the greatest team and so supportive of each other through and through. You inspire me to be a better wife, and mom 🙂
I love you and you inspire me. with bacon too! haha
This dish sounds amazing — it’s a wonder what bacon can do for the soul! 🙂
Looking forward to more personal in the year ahead, and glad to hear that you’re back on the right track!
thank you friend!
So exciting! Good things will come I just know it and definitely more good food!
thanks so much friend. xxop