Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew with Iraqi Spices and Chickpeas
A hearty lamb stew simmered with traditional Iraqi spices and tender chickpeas, delivering rich, warming flavors. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 140 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, cubed, olive oil, large onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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 lbs lamb shoulder, cubed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs cubed lamb shoulder and brown for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are golden and the meat releases easily from the pan.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook the spices with the meat and onion for 2 minutes to toast and release their aroma.
- Step 4: Mix in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until the paste darkens slightly.
- Step 5: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juice, 1 cup drained chickpeas, and 2 cups beef broth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Step 6: Cover and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until lamb is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Step 7: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. Serve hot with lemon wedges to squeeze over the stew for brightness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew with Iraqi Spices and Chickpeas take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew with Iraqi Spices and Chickpeas?
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, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew with Iraqi Spices and Chickpeas?
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 Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew with Iraqi Spices and Chickpeas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew with Iraqi Spices and Chickpeas?
Middle Eastern lamb 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.
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