Lamb and Beef Stew with Vegetables and Potatoes
By Tima Gaye
📑 Table of Contents
- 🍲 Why You’ll Love This Lamb and Beef Stew
- 🍲 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 🍲 Lamb and Beef Stew with Vegetables and Potatoes
- 🥄 Prep the Aromatic and Hearty Base
- 🥔 Fry the Potatoes to Golden Perfection
- 🍖 Brown the Beef and Begin the Stew Base
- 🧅 Build the Flavour Base with Onions, Heat & Tomatoes
- 🌶️ Stir in Tomato Paste & Let the Flavors Deepen
- 🥕 Add the Mixed Vegetables & Let It All Come Together
- 🥔 Add Fried Potatoes & Cassava – Let the Flavors Come Together
- 🍽️ Final Step: Time to Serve – Comfort on a Plate
- 🌿 BBC Good Food – How to Cook Lamb
- 🍚 Tima’s Ultimate Jollof Rice
🍲 Why You’ll Love This Lamb and Beef Stew
- ✔️ Rich, Meaty Flavor – The combination of lamb and beef creates deep, bold flavors that make every bite irresistible.
- ✔️ Comforting & Filling – Loaded with vegetables, tender meat, and golden potatoes, this stew is a full meal that warms your body and soul.
- ✔️ Budget-Friendly – Uses accessible ingredients like onion, tomatoes, and cassava — nothing fancy, just good food made with love.
- ✔️ Customizable – Add your favorite veggies or make it spicy with Scotch bonnet for a personal twist.
- ✔️ Perfect with Rice or Bread – The saucy base pairs beautifully with plain rice or fluffy bread, soaking up every drop of flavor.
- ✔️ Meal-Prep Approved – Make a large pot and enjoy leftovers throughout the week — the flavors only get better over time!
🍲 Ingredients You’ll Need
Please watch a quick ad to view the full ingredient list. 🍽️
Lamb and Beef Stew with Vegetables and Potatoes
When you’re craving something warm, filling, and deeply satisfying, this Lamb and Beef Stew with Vegetables and Potatoes is exactly what you need. This dish brings together tender cuts of lamb and beef, slow-simmered with chunky vegetables, golden potatoes, and a rich, tomato-based sauce that soaks into every bite. It’s the kind of homemade comfort food that makes you pause between spoonfuls just to savor the flavor.
Inspired by traditional cooking methods but made with everyday ingredients, this stew is perfect for family dinners, weekend meals, or even meal prep. Every layer — from the fragrant onions and Scotch bonnet to the crispy fried potatoes folded in at the end — adds depth, heart, and soul to your plate.
🥄 Prep the Aromatic and Hearty Base
Before any simmering magic begins, it’s time to prepare the essentials that will carry the flavor of your stew.
Start by finely chopping spring onions and regular onions. These two form the aromatic backbone of your stew, the kind of flavor that makes people say, “What are you cooking?” the moment they walk in. The spring onions bring a gentle freshness, while the regular onions offer that sweet, savory depth.
If you’re not in the mood for hand-chopping, toss them into a blender or food processor for a quick blitz. Either way, the goal is to get them nicely broken down so they melt beautifully into the stew later on.
Next, peel and chop your potatoes into chunky cubes. They’ll slowly break down during cooking, naturally thickening your stew and adding comfort to every spoonful. If you’re using cassava (which I highly recommend for an earthy bite), peel it carefully and chop it into even-sized pieces to match the potatoes.
💡Tip: Soak cassava in water for 5–10 minutes after peeling to reduce any bitterness and make it cook more evenly.
This simple prep step sets the foundation for a rich, full-bodied stew that feels like home.
🥔Fry the Potatoes to Golden Perfection
In a deep, heavy-based pan, heat a generous amount of oil over medium-high heat — just enough to shallow fry. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully add the chopped potatoes.
Let them sizzle and fry until they turn beautifully golden on the outside and slightly crisp to the touch. You’re not cooking them all the way through just yet — this is about building texture and flavor that’ll hold up in the stew later.
When they’re golden and slightly crispy, use a slotted spoon to remove the potatoes and place them on a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain any excess oil. While they’re still hot, sprinkle them with a touch of salt and black pepper — this little step enhances their flavor beautifully.
🔥 These golden bites will soak up the savory broth later without falling apart, giving your stew extra richness and body.
🍖Brown the Beef and Begin the Stew Base
Using the same pan you used earlier — don’t wash it yet! That’s where all the deep flavor lives.
Add your beef chunks into the pan over medium heat. Let them sear patiently, turning occasionally until they develop a rich golden-brown crust. This browning isn’t just for looks — it creates a deep, savory foundation that brings your stew to life.
Once beautifully browned on all sides, pour in just enough water to cover the beef. The sizzle will calm, and that’s your cue to turn the heat down slightly. Let it simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes, partially covered. This step softens the meat and begins infusing the broth with rich, beefy goodness.
Pro Tip: If you’re using a mix of beef and lamb, start with the meat first — it takes a bit longer to tenderize.
You’re now building real flavor, layer by layer — just like they do in proper home kitchens!
🧅Build the Flavour Base with Onions, Heat & Tomatoes
Once your beef has softened nicely, it’s time to introduce the aromatics — the real heart of the stew.
Add in your chopped onions, spring onions, and that vibrant kick of Scotch bonnet (adjust the quantity to your spice level). As soon as these hit the pan, the aroma will shift — expect it to become deep, savory, and absolutely mouthwatering.
Stir everything together gently, letting the onions soften and release their natural sweetness. You’re not rushing this — give it time to sweat and meld with the simmered beef.
When the onions have softened and become translucent, it’s time to add your chopped tomatoes. Add a bit more water gradually, stirring to help the tomatoes blend into the stew. You’re aiming for a light, saucy consistency at this stage — thick enough to coat the meat, but still pourable.
🍅 Tip: Use fresh chopped tomatoes or canned — just make sure to stir well and let them cook down into the base. This is what gives your stew that beautiful, deep-red richness.
Let this mixture simmer for about 10–15 minutes, uncovered, so the flavors really concentrate.
🌶️ Stir in Tomato Paste & Let the Flavors Deepen
Once your veggies have softened and released their aroma into the pot, it’s time to build up the richness. Add a hearty spoonful of tomato paste and gently stir it into the mixture, coating the beef and vegetables with that vibrant red base. This is where the stew starts to come alive!
Let it cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally. The tomato paste will darken slightly as it cooks, giving your stew a deeper, more complex flavor.
Now comes the seasoning magic:
- Add 1 seasoning cube (beef or all-purpose works great),
- Sprinkle in salt to taste,
- Add a touch of black pepper for warmth,
- And finish with a light dash of paprika powder for extra depth and color.
This step is all about layering flavors, so take your time and let everything simmer together. Your kitchen will be smelling like comfort and home in no time!
🥕 Add the Mixed Vegetables & Let It All Come Together
Once your beef is beautifully coated in that rich tomato paste and spice blend, it’s time to bring in the heart of the dish — the vegetables.
Gently add your chopped mixed vegetables into the pot — think soft carrots, sweet peppers, green beans, or whatever fresh goodness you love. Stir them into the sauce and let the whole pot simmer uncovered for about 15–20 minutes on low heat.
This slow, gentle simmer lets the vegetables soak up all the flavor from the beef, tomato paste, and spices. Meanwhile, the lamb continues to cook until fork-tender, melting right into the sauce. The texture becomes thick, hearty, and deeply satisfying — perfect for a co
🥔Add Fried Potatoes & Cassava – Let the Flavors Come Together
Once your stew has simmered beautifully with the vegetables, it’s time for the final touch that ties everything together.
Gently drop the crispy fried potato rounds and tender cassava pieces back into the pot. Pour in a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much — you want enough liquid to coat everything nicely but not drown it.
Simmer everything uncovered for another 10–15 minutes on low heat. This allows the rich tomato sauce to soak into the potatoes and cassava, bringing a velvety texture and slightly thickened finish. By the end, the starch from the cassava and potatoes will help create a hearty, comforting stew that’s deeply flavorful in every bite.
💡 Tip: Give it a gentle stir now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.
🍽️ Final Step: Time to Serve – Comfort on a Plate
Your Lamb and Beef Stew with Vegetables and Potatoes is now ready — thick, flavorful, and loaded with comforting goodness.
Scoop the rich stew onto a bed of fluffy white rice. The saucy beef and lamb, along with the tender carrots, cassava, and golden potatoes, make this dish feel like a warm hug after a long day. The savory sauce blends into the rice, soaking it with deep, home-cooked flavors.
✨ Optional Garnish: Top it off with a sprinkle of chopped spring onions or a few fresh herb leaves (like parsley or coriander) to add a touch of brightness and a burst of color.
This hearty dish is perfect for Sunday lunch, family dinner, or whenever you need something nourishing and satisfying.
🍴 Want to take your stew game to the next level? Discover expert tips on how to tenderize meat and build flavor from this helpful guide on BBC Good Food – How to Cook Lamb 🌿
🍚 Craving more comfort food? If you loved this hearty Lamb and Beef Stew, you’ll definitely want to try Tima’s Ultimate Jollof Rice — it’s rich, spicy, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Pair them together for an unforgettable West African feast!
About the Author:
Tima Gaye is a Gambian-born, UK-based home cook and recipe creator. She shares rich, flavorful recipes inspired by African roots and global dishes. Every meal she creates comes from the heart — blending tradition, creativity, and love.
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