Lamb Giouvetsi: Greek Lamb Stew w/ Yogurt & Orzo

User Reviews

4.9

237 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    2 hrs

  • Total Time

    2 hrs 9 mins

  • Servings

    6 servings

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Greek

Lamb Giouvetsi: Greek Lamb Stew w/ Yogurt & Orzo

Lamb Giouvetsi is a Greek stew featuring tender lamb cubes simmered with allspice, bay leaves, and rosemary until soft. The dish combines lamb broth with yogurt, eggs, flour, and orzo pasta, then is baked to meld flavors and create a creamy texture. This recipe yields a hearty, savory meal with the distinct aroma of Mediterranean herbs, offering a rich balance of tender meat and a lightly tangy, creamy orzo topping. It's a comforting dish that makes use of slow-cooked lamb and a yogurt-based sauce for depth and moistness.

Description

Lamb Giouvetsi: Greek Lamb Stew w/ Yogurt & Orzo combines slowly boiled lamb with fragrant spices like allspice, bay leaves, and rosemary. After simmering until the meat is tender, the dish incorporates orzo pasta into a mixture of strained yogurt, eggs, flour, and reserved lamb broth. The mixture is poured over the lamb and baked, allowing the orzo to absorb flavors and the sauce to thicken slightly. The baking step creates a creamy top layer contrasted by tender lamb beneath.

The flavors are balanced by the warm spices and aromatic herbs from the cooking broth, combined with the mild tang and richness from the yogurt and eggs in the orzo mixture. The texture includes tender lamb pieces alongside soft yet slightly firm orzo, creating a hearty stew suitable for cooler days or occasions when a filling, comforting meal is desired.

This dish can be served directly from the oven, ideally with a simple salad or crusty bread on the side to complement the richness. The recipe’s method highlights slow boiling of lamb for tenderness and a yogurt-based sauce that adds creaminess without overwhelming the meat's flavor.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 700 g lamb cubed
  • 1 tbsp allspice
  • 2 bay leaf
  • 1 prig rosemary
  • 4 egg medium
  • 1200 g strained yogurt
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 400 ml lamb broth from boiling lamb
  • 200 g orzo
  • salt
  • black pepper

Instructions

  1. Place a large pot over a low heat. Wash the lamb thoroughly, place it in the pot, add enough water to cover the lamb, the allspice, bay leaves, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper and boil until the lamb is soft, skimming every now and then.
  2. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (390 °F) on fan mode.
  3. Once the lamb is ready, retain 400 ml (1 1/2 cups) of the broth and place the lamb in an ovenproof dish, big enough for it all to fit nicely.
  4. In a bowl, mix the eggs, yogurt, flour and the retained broth very well with a hand whisk until the mixture is even.
  5. Add the orzo, season with salt and pepper, stir well and pour the mixture over the meat.
  6. Bake for 50-60 minutes and then serve.

Notes

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4.9

237 reviews
Excellent

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