Traditional Welsh Lamb Cawl 🐑🍲
A beloved staple of Welsh cuisine, Cawl is the ultimate comfort dish—simple, rustic, and full of nourishing goodness. Tender chunks of lamb, seasonal vegetables, and fragrant herbs come together in a hearty stew that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for cold days, family meals, or sharing a bit of tradition with friends.
🛒 Ingredients
🐑 Lamb shoulder or stew meat – 800g, cut into chunks
🧅 Onion – 1 large, peeled and chopped
🥕 Carrots – 2, peeled and sliced
🥔 Potatoes – 500g, peeled and chopped
🌿 Fresh thyme – 3 sprigs
🌿 Fresh parsley – 2 tbsp, chopped
🧄 Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
🧂 Salt – to taste
🌶️ Black pepper – to taste
🥄 Olive oil – 2 tbsp
🍖 Beef or vegetable stock – 1L
🥄 Plain flour – 1 tbsp (optional, for thickening)
👨🍳 Method
🥄 Brown the Lamb:
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the lamb pieces and brown them on all sides to seal in the flavour. Once browned, remove the lamb and set it aside.
🧅 Sauté the Base:
In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
🥕 Add the Veg:
Toss in the sliced carrots and chopped potatoes, stirring briefly to coat in the oil and flavour. Return the browned lamb to the pot.
🌿 Add Herbs & Stock:
Pop in the thyme sprigs, season with salt and black pepper, and pour in the stock. The liquid should just cover the ingredients—top up with a little water if needed.
🍲 Simmer Low & Slow:
Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the lamb is meltingly tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
🍽️ Thicken (Optional):
For a heartier texture, mix the plain flour with a splash of cold water to make a smooth paste. Stir it into the stew and simmer for another 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
🌿 Finish with Fresh Parsley:
Just before serving, stir in the chopped parsley for a fresh, herby lift.
⏳ Serving Info
⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🍴 Servings: 4–6
🔥 Calories: ~350 per serving
Best served hot with thick slices of buttered bread or a crusty loaf to soak up all that rich, savoury broth. Traditional, wholesome, and deeply satisfying—this is Welsh comfort food at its finest. 🍞🐑🍲✨