Slow Cooker Peruvian Lamb Stew
Seco de Cordero or Peruvian Lamb Stew is a tender lamb stew slow cooked to perfection with traditional Peruvian ingredients widely available to the home cook. After about 30 minutes initial preparation, your slow cooker finishes this tasty one-pot dish...
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Ingredients
- 1 bunch cilantro
- A drizzle of olive - coconut, or vegetable oil
- 1 pound boneless lamb - stew meat is perfect!
- 1 medium red onion - diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic - minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ají amarillo paste - see notes
- 7-8 ounces beer - see notes
- 1 cup beef - lamb, chicken broth or stock
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1 cup diced carrot
- 1 cup frozen and thawed peas - see notes
- sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Combine cilantro leaves (thin stems are fine) with about 1/2 cup broth or water in a blender or food processor. Purée until smooth.
- Season cubed lamb with salt and pepper. Sear in the hot oil.
- Add the onion, garlic, cumin and ají amarillo paste. Cook an additional 4-5 minutes until fragrant and onion softens.
- Scoop into the slow cooker. Add cilantro purée, beer, broth or stock, oregano leaves, and diced carrots.
- Cover and cook on "high" 3-4 hours or "low" 6-8 hours.
- Add peas, season, and taste. Add additional broth or stock as needed. Return to "high" to heat peas through.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with salsa criolla, rice, boiled potatoes, and/or white beans.
Stove Top
- Combine cilantro leaves (thin stems are fine) with about 1/2 cup broth or water in a blender or food processor. Purée until smooth.
- To a heavy dutch oven with a cover, add the oil and sear lamb cubes.
- Add the onion, garlic, cumin and ají amarillo paste. Cook an additional 4-5 minutes until fragrant and onion softens.
- Add cilantro purée, beer, broth or stock, oregano leaves, and diced carrots. Bring to a simmer and cover. Stir occasionally. Cook 1 to 1 1/2 hours on a simmer.
- When lamb is tender, add peas, season, and taste. Add additional broth or stock as needed. Return to simmer to heat peas through.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with salsa criolla, rice, boiled potatoes, and/or white beans.
Instant Pot
- Combine cilantro leaves (thin stems are fine) with about 1/2 cup broth or water in a blender or food processor. Purée until smooth.
- Season cubed lamb with salt and pepper. With Instant Pot on "sauté," add oil and sear seasoned lamb until edges are browned.
- Add the onion, garlic, cumin and ají amarillo paste. Cook an additional 4-5 minutes until fragrant and onion softens.
- Add cilantro purée, beer, broth or stock, oregano leaves, and diced carrots. Lock cover. Set to high pressure for 30 minutes, and follow with a 10 minute pressure release.
- Add peas, season, and taste. Add additional broth or stock as needed. Return to simmer to heat peas through.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with salsa criolla, rice, boiled potatoes, and/or white beans.
To Serve
- My favorite side with Seco de Cordero is a simple mushy white beans. I use canned cannelini, but navy or northern are great too. Cook them in olive oil with some sautéed onion, garlic, cumin or oregano, salt and pepper. Use a potato masher to partially mash them.
- Peruvians are likely to serve this lamb stew with boiled potatoes and white rice (kinda carb heavy!). Simple Peruvian rice is perfect! White rice will work as well.
- I've not tried it, but I'm guessing quinoa would be a great side as well!
- As you can see in the photo above, I topped my lamb stew with salsa criolla (my recipe minus the tomato). This would be authentic!
Notes
There is no substitute for ají amarillo paste. If you can't find it, you can purchase online.
I love Corona Coronitas. At 7 ounces, they're perfect for adding to recipes. You want 7-8 ounces, and you can always drink the rest. Lol. Go for a clean, mild lager.
I haven't made lamb stock, and it really isn't necessary for this recipe. I have used both beef and chicken with lamb, and can't tell the difference in the end result.
If you're fortunate enough to have fresh peas, you may want to steam to crisp-tender before adding.
Nutrition
Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 10g
NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com