Hearty Lamb Stew with Vegetables and Cannellini Beans Recipe
Introduction
This hearty lamb stew is a comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Tender lamb, nutritious vegetables, and creamy cannellini beans come together in a rich, flavorful broth that will warm you from the inside out.

Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 500g cubed stewing lamb
- 1 onion, thickly sliced
- 2 carrots, thickly sliced
- 2 leeks, thickly sliced
- 400ml hot vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 tsp dried rosemary or 1 fresh sprig
- 400g cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- Crusty bread or boiled potatoes to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the oil in a large casserole dish over medium heat. Add the lamb and cook for about 5 minutes until any liquid has evaporated.
- Step 2: Add the onion, carrots, and leeks to the casserole. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Step 3: Pour in the hot stock and add the rosemary. Cover with a lid and simmer over low heat for 1 hour.
- Step 4: Stir in the cannellini beans and cook for a further 30 minutes, topping up with water if necessary, until the lamb is tender and cooked through.
- Step 5: Serve the stew hot with crusty bread or boiled potatoes if you like.
Tips & Variations
- For extra depth, brown the lamb in batches to avoid crowding the pan.
- Use fresh rosemary if available for a more aromatic flavor.
- Add a splash of red wine during cooking to deepen the stew’s taste.
- Swap cannellini beans for kidney beans or butter beans for different textures.
Storage
Store the lamb stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until piping hot. It also freezes well for up to 2 months—defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of lamb for this stew?
Yes, other stewing cuts like shoulder or shank work well. Just ensure they are cut into similar-sized cubes for even cooking.
How can I make the stew thicker?
If you prefer a thicker stew, simmer uncovered for the last 15 minutes to reduce the liquid, or mash some of the beans into the broth to add body.
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Hearty Lamb Stew with Vegetables and Cannellini Beans Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This hearty lamb stew is a comforting and robust dish featuring tender stewing lamb simmered with fresh vegetables and cannellini beans in a flavorful rosemary-infused broth. Perfect for chilly days, it offers a nourishing meal served best with crusty bread or boiled potatoes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 500g cubed stewing lamb
- 1 onion, thickly sliced
- 2 carrots, thickly sliced
- 2 leeks, thickly sliced
- 400ml hot vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 tsp dried rosemary or 1 fresh sprig
- 400g cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
To Serve (Optional)
- Crusty bread or boiled potatoes
Instructions
- Heat and brown the lamb: Heat the vegetable oil in a large casserole dish over medium heat. Add the cubed stewing lamb and cook for about 5 minutes until any liquid released has evaporated and the meat begins to brown.
- Add vegetables: Stir in the thickly sliced onion, carrots, and leeks. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add stock and rosemary, then simmer: Pour in the hot vegetable or chicken stock and add the rosemary. Cover the casserole with a lid and cook over low heat for 1 hour, allowing the lamb to slowly tenderize and the flavors to meld.
- Incorporate cannellini beans: After 1 hour, stir in the rinsed and drained cannellini beans. Continue cooking the stew uncovered or partially covered for a further 30 minutes, topping up with water if needed, until the lamb is fully tender and the stew is rich and flavorful.
- Serve: Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread or boiled potatoes if desired, making for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Notes
- If fresh rosemary is used, remove the sprig before serving to avoid an overpowering flavor.
- You can substitute lamb stock for an even deeper flavor profile if available.
- Adjust cooking times slightly depending on the size and cut of lamb cubes to ensure tenderness.
- For a gluten-free option, serve with gluten-free bread or skip the bread altogether.
- This stew can be made a day ahead; flavors improve when reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: lamb stew, hearty stew, lamb recipes, winter stew, slow simmered lamb, cannellini beans, comfort food

