Stout-Braised Irish Lamb Stew with Colcannon and Parsley Oil
Classic Irish comfort, rich, green, and celebration-worthy.
Daily recipe · March 17, 2026
A little about this dish
For an iconic St. Patrick’s Day dinner, it’s hard to beat a beautifully plated traditional Irish lamb stew with colcannon. This version keeps the soul of the classic while making it dinner-party worthy: tender lamb shoulder slowly braised with stout, onions, carrots, and herbs, then served alongside silky colcannon made from buttery mashed potatoes folded with sautéed cabbage and scallions. A bright parsley oil and crisp fried leek garnish add fresh green contrast, making the plate feel festive, elegant, and unmistakably Irish.
Ingredients (for 6)
- Lamb shoulder — 2 1/2 lb — trimmed and cut into 2-inch cubes
- Yukon gold potatoes — 2 lb — peeled and cut into chunks
- Green cabbage — 1/2 small head — finely shredded
- Stout beer, preferably irish stout — 12 oz
- Beef or lamb stock — 3 cups
- Pearl onions — 1 cup — peeled
- Carrots — 4 medium — peeled and cut into thick rounds
- Yellow onions — 2 medium — one diced and one thinly sliced
- Leeks, white and light green parts only — 2 medium — one thinly sliced for garnish and one finely sliced for colcannon
- Scallions — 4 — thinly sliced
- Garlic — 4 cloves — minced
- Fresh parsley — 1 large bunch — leaves picked and stems separated
- Fresh thyme — 6 sprigs
- Fresh rosemary — 1 sprig
- Bay leaves — 2
- Unsalted butter — 8 tbsp — divided
- Heavy cream — 3/4 cup — warmed
- All-purpose flour — 2 tbsp
- Apple cider vinegar — 1 tbsp
- Lemon juice — 1 tbsp
- Neutral oil — 1/2 cup — divided
- Salt — 2 1/2 tsp — or to taste
- Black pepper — 1 1/2 tsp — or to taste
Preparation
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Step 1 — 🥩🧂🌶️Pat the lamb shoulder dry and season it all over with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
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Step 2 — 🔥🥘🥩Heat a large Dutch oven with 2 tablespoons neutral oil over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb in batches for 8 to 10 minutes per batch until deeply golden, then transfer to a plate.
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Step 3 — 🧅🧄🌿Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced yellow onion, garlic, parsley stems, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant.
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Step 4 — 🍺🥣🥄Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the stout beer, scrape up the browned bits, then add the stock. Return the lamb and any juices to the pot.
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Step 5 — ♨️🫕⏳Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1 hour.
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Step 6 — 🥕🧅🍲Add the carrots and pearl onions. Cover and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes until the lamb is fork-tender. Stir in the apple cider vinegar and adjust with more salt and black pepper if needed.
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Step 7 — 🥔💧🍴While the stew cooks, boil the Yukon Gold potatoes in well-salted water for 15 to 18 minutes until very tender. Drain and let them steam dry for 2 minutes.
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Step 8 — 🧈🥬🍳Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely sliced leek, shredded green cabbage, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until soft, then stir in the scallions.
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Step 9 — 🥔🥛🧈Mash the potatoes with the warmed heavy cream and remaining 5 tablespoons butter until smooth. Fold in the cabbage-leek mixture and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Keep warm.
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Step 10 — 🌿🍋🫒Blend the parsley leaves, lemon juice, 1/4 cup neutral oil, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Strain if you want a cleaner drizzle.
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Step 11 — 🥬🔥✨Toss the thinly sliced leek with a pinch of salt. Heat the remaining oil in a small pan and fry the leek for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
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Step 12 — 🍽️🍲🌿Spoon the colcannon onto plates or shallow bowls. Ladle the lamb stew beside it, then finish with parsley oil, crispy leek, and a few fresh parsley leaves.
A final fox tip
Colcannon is one of Ireland’s most beloved potato dishes, traditionally made with cabbage or kale and enriched with butter and milk. For an extra-authentic St. Patrick’s Day table, serve this with Irish brown bread and a pat of salted butter. If you prefer, beef chuck can replace the lamb, but lamb gives the dish a more old-world, celebratory feel.