Minted Lamb Stew With Dumplings - Slow Cooker

Here is our all-time favourite slow cooker minted lamb stew with dumplings recipe. This Winter warmer is the perfect recipe that will cook while you're busy. So much so, we were busy driving a narrowboat all-day during Christmas.

Note: I originally made this slow cooker lamb and mint stew recipe as one of my travels by narrowboat recipes in December 2019. It has since been updated on 1st December 2020.

Believe me, this slow cooker lamb and mint stew is incredibly delicious.

I've cooked it several times, tweaking it as I go. I've also cooked a Slimming World lamb stew version of it here in the multicooker but without dumplings.

The dumplings were just added stodge, because somedays we need it, don't we? And to top it off, it's a minted lamb stew for extra flavour!

Store Cupboard Essentials For Slow Cooker Lamb Stew

Over Christmas, we spent two weeks on a narrowboat where I cooked this lovely slow cooker lamb and mint stew. And as narrowboats can offer limited space, I opted for a few cheats in this recipe in the ways of dry food cupboard essentials.

This also meant pre-packed dumpling mixture which I have absolutely no qualms with. Why? Because dumplings are typically made with two main ingredients. There's not a lot you can mess up. And while on a narrowboat, I didn't want to use up cupboard space with a big bag of flour and suet pudding. But normally, I make these English dumplings.

However, for this lamb stew slow cooker recipe, I also used:

• Lamb stock cubes
• Mint sauce instead of fresh mint
• Horseradish

Equipment Needed For Minted Lamb Casserole

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• Chopping board
• Chopping knife
• Garlic press
• Kitchen scales or measuring cups
• Measuring jug
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing bowl
• Frying pan to sear the meat
• Spatula
• Ladle

Can You Use A Slow Cooker On A Narrowboat?

When packing for our narrowboat trip along the Shropshire Union canal over Christmas, I also packed a slow cooker. With them cooking on low all day, I assumed we would be fine. However, I was very lucky my husband also brought along an inverter. But we still were only able to cook on low all day, which suited us. I found it cooked even longer than it would at home.

So, I had to finish it off in the oven. Note: the cooking times in the recipe towards the bottom will assume you're cooking at home. If you have found this recipe as you're wondering whether you can cook my slow cooker lamb stew on a narrowboat, then I have a recommendation.

And that is this Thermal Cooker by Mr D's Cookware. I have never used this narrowboat cooker and they don't know me, so this isn't sponsored. But the idea is that it's energy saving, you bring it to a simmer or boil on the hob, then remove and place the lid on top. It's then meant to cook without power.

Adding the Dumplings To The Slow Cooker Lamb Stew

Once my minted lamb casserole finished cooking, I then mixed together my dumpling mix. I found my regular packet of Aunt Bessies dumpling mix in a Stourport shop where we started our narrowboat journey. Because I knew the narrowboat's power wasn't up to speed with the slow cooker, I popped the gas oven on to preheat.

Then I mixed the dumpling mixture separately in a jug with cold water and rolled into balls before placing them on top of my stew. Then baked in the oven without a lid as stated on the packet.

If you're not in a rush, then you could whack your slow cooker up to high instead, pop the lid on and bake for an extra hour. (Ie, 6 hours in if you cooked on low originally).

Making Traditional Lamb Casserole With Dumplings

If you want to make an English dumpling recipe from scratch, then I usually follow a BBC recipe.

However, this time, I converted it into cups for my fellow American readers as well as UK readers.

In a large mixing bowl, mix everything together of the following before stirring in the water to bind:

• 1 cup or 150g of self raising flour (or self rising flour)
• ½ cup of suet / 75g of suet, which is dried, shredded fat, but cold diced butter will work too
• Pinch of salt
• Any herbs you wish if you desire herby dumplings
• 3 tablespoon cold water

Then using floured hands, divide and roll into 8 balls and place on top and cover the slow cooker. And cook on high for 1 hour.

More Recipes Like Slow Cooker Lamb Stew and Dumplings

• Sausage casserole with Branston Pickle
• Healthy lamb casserole slow cooker
• Slimming World dumplings alternative using potato
• Try this biscuits and gravy dumpling idea, which is a cottage cheese scone
• Stir in some gnocchi dumplings as featured in this chicken stew

How to Cook Easy Slow Cooker Lamb Stew & Dumplings

Pin Slow Cooker Lamb & Mint Stew

You can read more about our narrowboat hire adventures here.