Exeter-Inspired Spiced Lamb and Barley Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

Hearty lamb and barley stew enriched with warming spices and fresh herbs, reflecting Exeter’s historic trading heritage. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 95 minutes, pairs lamb stew meat, barley, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 5, 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

• 1.5 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes lamb stew meat
• 3/4 cup pearl barley barley
• 1 large, diced onion
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 2, diced celery stalks
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lb cubed lamb stew meat and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes until deeply caramelized. Remove lamb and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onions become translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Return the lamb to the pot and add 6 cups vegetable broth, 3/4 cup pearl barley, 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour 15 minutes until lamb is tender and barley is cooked through.
5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.