Welsh Cawl Simple Lamb Soup

Welsh Cawl is an easy lamb and vegetable soup or stew, simply cooked with clean & simple flavours, my version scales the dish down to feed 4.

Swede, carrot, potatoes and leek sit alongside some gently simmered lamb shoulder in this wonderful broth-based soup that tastes wonderful.

Lamb Cawl

Britain’s reputation for being a soggy grey island is often overstated but its love of simple hearty soups and stews is most certainly not.

Welsh cawl is similar in many ways to a host of other British stews and soups.

It bears more than a passing resemblance to scouse which was the influence for my lamb neck stew, and also hotch potch, Scotch broth and cock a leekie soup.

Essentially it is a series of ingredients gently cooked in stock to create a brothy soup. If you want a lamb soup with more “pazzazz” check out my Hungarian lamb goulash or Lebanese-influenced fasolia!

Traditional Welsh cawl would have featured something like an on the bone neck joint or shoulder simmered slowly for hours.

The broth would have been cooled overnight and the fat removed and meat stripped on day two. A very similar technique to the one I use for my oxtail soup recipe.

The meat and vegetables would then be simmered in the stock and eaten throughout the week.

My version is designed to be a little smaller and will feed two for dinner with a perfect amount of leftovers for lunch the day after.

If meaty brothy soups are your thing check out my take on a Russian beef borscht soup!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Swede?

Hold on to your hats, if you are from the US you will know this as Rutabaga. If you are from Scotland and other parts of Northern England you are likely swearing at me for not referring it to a neep or turnip.

It is brassica napus, or Swedish Turnip. The name rutabaga stems from the Swedish name rotabagge, so we are all correct!

Can I use another cut of lamb?

Yes, but it does need to have some fat, the best alternative cut would be some lamb neck fillet.

I can’t find lamb stock, can I use something else?

I feel your pain, living outside of the UK for 13 years I know just how difficult lamb stock can be to buy.

If you want to use something else then use some good quality vegetable stock. Both beef and chicken stock have far too strong a flavour of another meat and that does not reflect well on the dish.

Serving Suggestions

The serving suggestion for this dish may involve a little trust, but go with it, it is pure genius!

Welsh lamb cawl is traditionally served with crusty bread and a chunk of cheese. Yes, cheese!

I like a nice crusty cob! Yes, us Brits do have more words for a bread roll than Eskimos do for snow.

Then the cheese. It seems like an odd side but there is something that happens when combined with the lamb stock that works so well.

The acidity of the cheese bounces off the rich fattiness of the lamb and amplifies the flavour and sweetness of the vegetables.

You need the right cheese though!

Traditionally a crumbly Caerphilly cheese is served with cawl. I use a similarly crumbly and acidic Lancashire cheese and it is equally magical.

Equipment Used

I only name-check brands of equipment if I think they make a material difference to a recipe. If you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Stovetop.
• 20cm or 8″ saucepan with a lid.
• Chopping board.
• Kitchen knife.
• Chopping board.
• Vegetable peeler.
• Stirring and serving spoons.