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    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Turkish Lamb Stew with Chickpeas

    Published: May 21, 2021 · Modified: Jun 5, 2022 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Turkish Lamb Stew with Chickpeas (a.k.a Nohut Yahni or Chickpea Soup) is a traditional Turkish dish made with diced lamb, chickpeas, and pearl onions.

    It is an easy, one-pot dish and great comfort food, especially for cold winter days.

    turkish nohut yahni -chikpea stew on a plate

    The most common way of serving this chickpea stew - usually called Nohut Yemegi or Etli Nohut in Turkey - is either with a bowl of delicious Turkish Rice (Sehriyeli Pilav) or Bulgur Pilaf accompanied by a bowl of Cacik (Turkish Yoghurt with Cucumbers).

    Turkish lamb stew with chickpeas is cooked in the oven for 2 hours

    If you're looking for a new way to eat chickpeas, this chickpea and lamb stew is a great idea. It is packed with amazing flavors and a great combination of healthy proteins and carbs. Let's give it a go!

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • Etli Nohut is very easy to make which is perfect for having as a weekday or lazy weekend meal.
    • This rich chickpea stew is delicious as well as nutritious.
    • You can freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months. The leftovers taste even better when reheated.
    • This recipe works perfectly with leftover roast lamb or beef.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    picture of labelled ingredients for Turkish lamb stew with chickpeas
    • Lamb - Well-exercised muscles rich in collagen such as the shank, shin, or shoulder are the typical cuts of meat for slow cooking.
    • Chickpeas - I prefer using dry chickpeas for this recipe. You can also use canned chickpeas. Simply drain them and add to the stew after the lamb is tenderly cooked and falling apart.
    • Pearl onions - You can substitute them with small shallots or chunky-cut regular onions.
    • Garlic - Fresh garlic is a great flavoring that adds sweetness and nuttiness to dishes. Turn it into a paste with a Mortar and Pestle or grate it using a Microplane Zester Grater.
    • Stock - I prefer using Homemade Beef Stock but Chicken Stock works great as well. You can use stock cubes if you don't have any stock in hand. Make sure you don't add too much salt as ready-made stocks and stock cubes contain salt already.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    This is a very simple and straightforward recipe to follow. You can cook this healthy stew in a Dutch oven or a heavy-based pan.

    To achieve the best results you need to follow a few simple steps:

    Soak and Cook the Dried Chickpeas

    To cook dried chickpeas, soak them in plenty of water overnight or for a minimum of 8 hours.

    the glass bowl with chickpeas is filled with water

    Water should be at least double the amount of the chickpeas as the chickpeas will expand. So, make sure you place them in a large bowl with plenty of water.

    the chickpeas have tripled the size after soaking for 24 hours


    Before cooking the chickpeas, drain them, place them in a pan with plenty of water over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and precook the chickpeas for 30-40 minutes or until slightly softened.

    soaked chickpeas are cooked until soft

    If you're using a pressure cooker, depending on the setting, the cooking period will be around 20-25 minutes at low heat after the pressure is up.

    Prepare the Base

    If you want to use a Dutch oven for cooking your chickpea stew, preheat the fan oven to 180° C (360° F). Heat the Dutch oven on medium-high heat, add olive oil, and sear the lamb in batches to achieve equally golden brown meat.

    lamp]b pieces are browning in a dutch oven

    Lower the heat, add the onions, and sauté until slightly browned then add the garlic. You can use 2 large onions if you don't have pearl onions or small shallots.

    shallots and onions are added to the lamb for sautéing

    Chop the large onions into chunky pieces. Sauté for another minute then stir in the tomato and pepper paste. Use an extra 1 tablespoon tomato paste if you don't have red pepper paste. Sprinkle on the flour and give it a quick stir.

    tomato paste and flour are stirred in the dutch oven

    Deglaze the pan with a little bit of stock to release the bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, then add the chickpeas. If using tinned and cooked chickpeas, add them towards the end of cooking time.

    the stock and chickpeas are added to the pa

    Add the rest of the stock along with the chilies, freshly ground black pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil and then put the lid on and place it in the oven.

    Cook for 2 hours or until the meat and chickpeas are tender. Check the liquid and add more stock if needed. Stir the stew every half an hour to avoid sticking to the bottom of the Dutch oven.

    Turkish lamb stew With chickpeas is cooked for 2 hours in the oven

    Top Tips From the Chef

    • You can make this delicious chickpea stew/soup on a stovetop using a heavy-based pan. The cooking time might vary, and also you might need to stir it more often to avoid it sticking to the bottom of the pan.
    • Use homemade stock for this nutritious lamb stew (if you can). The secret behind most of the delicious soups, sauces, and stews is definitely a good-quality homemade beef stock. Although it takes some time and effort to prepare a good homemade beef stock, it's definitely worth the time and effort. It is healthier and more nutritious than shop-bought ones.
    • Also homemade stock has a full-bodied richness that is coming from the gelatin of the bones and connective tissues. So, if you're in a real domestic mood, prepare your own stock, and use it for this stew to achieve extra flavors. Here is our Homemade Beef Stock recipe.

    Serving Suggestions

    I usually serve this delicious stew with a bowl of healthy Bulgur Pilavi (Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf) or buttery Turkish Rice Pilaf (Sehriyeli Pilav).

    You can also serve it with some bread such as fluffy Bazlama (Turkish Flatbread), pillowy Turkish Pide Bread (Ramazan Pidesi), or soft Garlic Naan - Indian Flatbread to mop up the juices!

    Recipe FAQs

    How to store the leftovers?

    The leftovers would keep in an airtight container for up to five days when refrigerated. You can freeze them if you want to keep them longer, and enjoy them for up to three months!

    What's the right type of meat for stews?

    If you prefer beef instead of lamb, the best meat cut would be marbled meat with some amount of fat and connective tissues on it such as brisket, chuck, or shin.

    Related Recipes

    For more hearty comfort food recipes why not try:

    • braised ox cheeks
      Braised Beef Cheeks
    • Hungarian lamb stew
      Easy Lamb Goulash | Hungarian Stew
    • best turkish mouassaka recipe
      Turkish Moussaka - Patlıcan Musakka
    • French slow cooked beef stew in a Dutch oven
      Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making this hearty and rich Turkish Lamb and Chickpea Stew as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

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    lamb and chickpea stew served in a white plate

    Turkish Lamb Stew with Chickpeas (Nohut)

    Ayla Clulee
    Turkish Lamb Stew with Chickpeas (a.k.a Nohut Yahni or Chickpea Soup) is a traditional Turkish dish made with diced lamb, chickpeas, and pearl onions. 
    5 from 3 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mediterranean, Turkish
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 644 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 Lodge Dutch oven
    • 1 Sharp knife
    • 1 measuring spoons

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 250 g dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
    • 800 g diced lamb (replace with diced beef if you prefer)
    • 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 8-10 pearl onions or small shallots (peeled and left whole)
    • 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon red pepper paste (replace with 1 tablespoon tomato paste if you don't have it)
    • 1 tablespoon flour
    • 1 l chicken, lamb or beef stock
    • 1 chopped red chili (optional) (or ¼ teaspoon chilli flakes)
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Soak the chickpeas overnight with plenty of water.
    • Drain the chickpeas and place them in a pan with plenty of water over medium heat and bring to a boil.
    • Lower the heat and cook for another 30-40 minutes or until slightly softened. Drain the chickpeas and set them aside. If you're using a pressure cooker, depending on the setting, the cooking time should be around 20-25 minutes on very low heat.
    • Preheat the fan oven to 180° C - 360° F (if cooking in a dutch oven).
    • Heat your dutch oven or heavy-based pan on medium-high heat, then add olive and sear the lamb. Do it in batches for all meat to cook golden brown equally.
    • Turn the heat down to medium, add the onions and sauté until slightly browned then add the garlic.
    • Sauté for another minute then stir in the tomato and pepper paste.
    • Add the flour and give the mixture a quick stir.
    • Deglaze the pan with a little splash of stock, and then add the chickpeas.
    • Add the rest of the stock along with chilies, freshly ground black pepper, and salt, then bring it to a boil.
    • If cooking in the oven using a dutch oven, put the lid on and place it in the oven. Cook for 2 hours or until the meat and chickpeas are tender. Check the liquid and add more stock if needed. Stir the stew every half an hour to avoid sticking.
    • If cooking on stove-top in a heavy-based pan, lower the heat and gently simmer for 2 hours or until the meat and chickpeas are tender. Check the liquid and add more stock if needed. Stir the stew every half an hour to avoid sticking.

    Notes

    • If you're looking for a new way to eat chickpeas, this lamb stew is a great idea.
    • You can make this delicious chickpea stew/soup on a stovetop using a heavy-based pan. The cooking time might vary, and also you might need to stir it more often to avoid it sticking to the bottom of the pan.
    • The secret behind most of the delicious soups, sauces, and stews is definitely a good-quality homemade beef stock.
    • If you prefer beef instead of lamb, the best meat cut would be marbled meat with some amount of fat and connective tissues on it such as brisket, chuck, or shin.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 644kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 59gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 1016mgPotassium: 1535mgFiber: 13gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 9mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

    « Homemade Beef Stock
    Gavurdagi Salatasi (Turkish Tomato Walnut Salad) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ayla

      August 03, 2021 at 3:13 pm

      5 stars
      This is my first time making and eating this recipe. I absolutely loved it. Thank you. I will definitely be making this again!

      Reply
    2. Letitia

      April 19, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      5 stars
      I tried this today and it was delicious! I served it with creamy mashed potatoes. A great recipe. Not too fussy, and very effective.

      Reply
    3. Sally

      September 08, 2023 at 2:15 am

      5 stars
      Delicious simple, yet hearty recipe that has become a family favourite. I've cooked this with lamb, beef and without any meat. I've also swapped the white beans for chickpeas. Each dish worked perfectly and I now cook it regularly. We serve it on white and brown rice and we all love it! Thank you for sharing this excellent recipe!

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        September 08, 2023 at 5:48 am

        Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback Sally!
        I am thrilled to hear that this recipe has become a family favorite for you. Your kind words mean a lot to me.
        Happy cooking, and thank you for trying out our recipe!
        Best wishes
        Ayla

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

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