Can I use leg of lamb for lamb stew?

To make the perfect lamb stew, I use boneless leg meat compared to other cuts of lamb. This is a cut that’s pretty available in most grocery stores and easy to cut up into pieces. Although lamb leg is a leaner cut of lamb, stewing (or slow-cooking in a crock pot) breaks it down.

How do I make lamb stew meat tender?

The key to making the stew meat work well, as Diane taught me, is to just give each cube of meat a good sear on all sides. If you cook the meat all the way through it will become tough and chewy. A good sear on all sides is the best way to enjoy tender stew meat quickly.

Can you overcook lamb in a stew?

Yes, it’s possible to overcook lamb stew. If you cook it for too long, the meat will start to fall apart, and it will actually lose moisture and begin to toughen. Cook the stew just until the meat is fork tender but still intact.

What cut of lamb is best for stew?

Shoulder or leg of lamb: both of these cuts are perfect in a stew or casserole when diced. Meat from the shoulder needs to be trimmed of excess fat first; while meat from the leg gives neater, leaner pieces of meat than the shoulder. Both are meltingly tender with a fantastic flavour.

Should I brown lamb before slow cooking?

Browning off your meat isn’t essential before slow cooking but it can really help to seal the flavour and caramelise juices. Remember Lamb cooks faster than most other meats, so keep an eye on it! For the best results, cook on a lower heat, for a longer time.

Why is my lamb stew tough?

If the meat remains in the oven long enough to break down the tough fibers, then the outer portions of the meat become overcooked, dry, and tough. Braising/pot-roasting is a much more effective means for breaking down the tough fibers than any dry heat cooking method.

Can you overcook lamb leg?

The level of doneness for lamb largely comes down to personal preference. Pull it out of the oven too soon and it may be too undercooked and unappetizing for your taste. When cooked for too long, this tender cut can be quick to dry out. A deeply browned crust won’t cut it for figuring out whether your lamb is finished.

Why is my leg of lamb tough?

Slicing the lamb incorrectly If you cut it incorrectly, you’ll end up with tough, chewy meat — even if you cooked it perfectly! It’s all about something called the grain. All meat contains muscle fibers that run parallel to each other.

Can you overcook slow cooked lamb leg?

The good thing with cooking lamb in this way, on a low heat over a long time is how failsafe it is! You can not overcook it, it will just become more and more easy to pull apart & melt in the mouth!