Authentic South African Lamb Neck Potjie
A rich and tender lamb neck stew slow-cooked in a traditional cast-iron potjie pot, perfect for outdoor gatherings. This recipe emphasizes patience and layering for maximum flavor development.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Lamb neck
- 1 kg Potatoes
- 500g Carrots
- 3 large Onions
- 400g can Tomatoes
- 750 ml Beef or Lamb Stock
- 2-3 tablespoons Vegetable Oil or Lard
- to taste Salt
- freshly ground, to taste Black Pepper
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 250 ml Optional: Red Wine
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the potjie pot: Place your cast-iron potjie pot over a medium-high heat source (coals or gas burner). Add the oil or lard and let it heat until shimmering.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Brown the lamb: Season the lamb neck pieces generously with salt and pepper. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, sear the lamb on all sides until deeply browned and a good crust has formed. This step is crucial for flavor. Remove the browned lamb and set aside.
⏱️ 15-20 minutes - 3
Sauté aromatics: Reduce the heat slightly. Add the sliced onions to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Deglaze (Optional): If using red wine, pour it into the potjie and scrape the bottom to release all the flavorful browned bits. Let the wine simmer and reduce by about half.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Layer the ingredients: Begin layering the ingredients in the potjie. Start with a layer of the softened onions and garlic at the bottom. Then, place the browned lamb neck pieces on top. Add the bay leaves. Follow with a layer of carrots, then the potato chunks.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 6
Add liquids and tomatoes: Pour the hot stock over the ingredients. If you used wine, this is where you'd add it now if you skipped step 4. Add the chopped tomatoes (with their juice). The liquid should come about two-thirds of the way up the ingredients. Season lightly with salt and pepper, remembering the stock might be salty.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 7
Simmer and slow-cook: Place the lid on the potjie pot. Ensure the heat is low and consistent. The goal is a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. If using coals, this means managing them carefully. If using a gas burner, set to the lowest possible setting that maintains a gentle bubble. Cook for at least 3 hours, or until the lamb is exceptionally tender and falling off the bone. Resist the urge to stir the potjie during cooking, as this disrupts the layering and can make the vegetables mushy.
⏱️ 3 hours - 8
Check and rest: After 3 hours, carefully remove the lid. The stew should be thick and rich. Gently check the lamb for tenderness. If it's not falling off the bone, continue cooking for another 30 minutes, checking periodically. Once tender, remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 30 minutes (approx.)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The 'no stirring' rule is paramount for a true potjie. The steam and slow cooking create the perfect texture without needing to agitate.
- ✓Low and slow is the key to tender lamb neck. Patience is rewarded with incredibly succulent meat.
- ✓The meat should be so tender that it easily falls off the bone when prodded with a fork.
- ✓Adjust the heat carefully. Too high and you risk burning the bottom; too low and it won't cook properly.
- ✓Serve directly from the potjie pot for an authentic presentation.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a splash of red wine during the sautéing stage for added depth of flavor.
- Include other root vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes.
- A handful of dried apricots added in the last hour of cooking can provide a subtle sweetness.