Bush Tomato and Freekeh Stew with Lemon Myrtle
A hearty stew combining Australia's native bush tomatoes with freekeh, lamb, and fragrant lemon myrtle, offering a taste of the Outback. This australian-inspired quick meals ready in about 100 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, freekeh, bush tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 500g lamb shoulder
- 1 cup freekeh
- 3 cups bush tomatoes
- 1 tbsp lemon myrtle leaves
- 1 large onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped large onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened. Add 500g cubed lamb shoulder and 1 tsp salt, cooking for 5 minutes until browned on all sides.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup freekeh, 3 cups chopped bush tomatoes, and 1 tbsp crushed lemon myrtle leaves. Pour in 1.5 liters water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 hours until the lamb is tender and the freekeh is cooked through.
- Step 3: Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh lemon myrtle leaves and a drizzle of olive oil for added richness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bush Tomato and Freekeh Stew with Lemon Myrtle take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (10 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bush Tomato and Freekeh Stew with Lemon Myrtle?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lamb shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bush Tomato and Freekeh Stew with Lemon Myrtle?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bush Tomato and Freekeh Stew with Lemon Myrtle for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bush Tomato and Freekeh Stew with Lemon Myrtle?
Australian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
