Saltbush and Lamb Slow Cooker Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-21 · Updated 2026-05-21

A hearty lamb stew enriched with native saltbush leaves and root vegetables, slowly cooked to tender perfection. This Australian-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 440 minutes, pairs lamb shoulder, cubed, olive oil, onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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

• 2 lbs lamb shoulder, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 medium parsnips, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup saltbush leaves, chopped
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed lamb shoulder and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, then transfer to a slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté 1 large diced onion, 3 sliced carrots, 2 chopped parsnips, and 3 minced garlic cloves for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker with the lamb. Stir in 1 cup chopped saltbush leaves, 3 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 cup red wine if using.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the lamb is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning before serving and ladle the stew into bowls for a warming meal.