Slow-Simmered Lamb Stew with Aleppo Pepper and Pine Nuts
A hearty Syrian-inspired lamb stew simmered until tender, flavored with warm spices and topped with toasted pine nuts for a nutty crunch. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 140 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, garlic cloves, minced, teaspoon ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 pounds lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large (about 1 cup) onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes (canned)
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds lamb shoulder cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until a deep crust forms, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 large finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly. Add back the browned lamb, 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until lamb is very tender.
- Step 4: While the stew simmers, toast 1/4 cup pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Step 5: When lamb is tender, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve stew sprinkled with toasted pine nuts and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for brightness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Lamb Stew with Aleppo Pepper and Pine Nuts 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-Simmered Lamb Stew with Aleppo Pepper and Pine Nuts?
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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Lamb Stew with Aleppo Pepper and Pine Nuts?
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-Simmered Lamb Stew with Aleppo Pepper and Pine Nuts 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 Slow-Simmered Lamb Stew with Aleppo Pepper and Pine Nuts?
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.
