Traditional Lancashire Hotpot 🥔🍲
This classic British dish is the ultimate comfort food: tender meat and vegetables slowly cooked beneath a golden, crispy potato topping. Perfect for a hearty family meal on a chilly day!
Ingredients
🥩 Lamb or beef shoulder: 800g, diced (trim excess fat)
🧅 Onions: 2 large, sliced
🥕 Carrots: 2, peeled and sliced
🌿 Dried thyme: 1 tsp
🍂 Bay leaves: 2
🌾 Plain flour: 2 tbsp
🍲 Beef or lamb stock: 500ml
🥔 Potatoes: 750g, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
🧈 Butter: 50g, melted (for brushing)
🧂 Salt and black pepper: To taste
Method
🔥 Preheat the Oven:
Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan)/180°C/gas mark 4.
🥘 Brown the Meat:
Heat a drizzle of oil in a large ovenproof pan or casserole dish over medium-high heat.
Season the meat with salt and pepper. Brown the diced lamb (or beef) in batches until golden. Remove and set aside.
🧅 Soften the Vegetables:
In the same pan, add the sliced onions and carrots. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
Sprinkle over the flour and stir well to coat the vegetables.
🍲 Add Stock and Seasoning:
Gradually pour in the stock, stirring to prevent lumps. Add the bay leaves and thyme.
Return the browned meat to the pan and stir well. Season with salt and pepper.
🥔 Layer the Potatoes:
Arrange the sliced potatoes neatly on top of the meat and vegetable mixture, overlapping slightly to create a pattern.
Brush the potato slices generously with the melted butter and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
🔥 Cook the Hotpot:
Cover the dish with a lid or foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1½ hours.
After 1½ hours, remove the lid or foil and cook for a further 30 minutes until the potatoes are golden and crispy.
🍽 Serve:
Serve hot with steamed greens or peas for a traditional touch.
Serving Information
⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes | 🍳 Cook Time: 2 hours | ⏲ Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
🍴 Servings: 4–6 | 🔥 Calories: ~450 per serving
Tips:
For extra flavour, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the stock.
Use a mandoline to slice the potatoes evenly for a professional look.
Leftovers can be reheated the next day and taste even better!
A warming and rustic Lancashire Hotpot is pure comfort on a plate – simple, satisfying, and steeped in tradition. Enjoy with a proper brew for a taste of British heritage! 🇬🇧🍲✨