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Lancashire hotpot

Browned potatoes in a cream-colored pot on a wooden surface. A person in the background holds the pot with a striped cloth. Cozy, rustic feel.

By Tom · Updated

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  • About 2 hours 5 min
  • Takes a bit of care

A hearty British one pot favourite made with simple ingredients and traditional oven cooking. Rich, Cosy, and perfect for a homemade dinner. British One-Pot favourite built on simple ingredients (Lancashire hotpot).

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The recipe

Lancashire hotpot

A hearty British one pot favourite made with simple ingredients and traditional oven cooking.

  • 20 min prep
  • 1 hour 45 min cooking
  • Takes a bit of care

Times and difficulty are our estimates from the method, not stopwatch figures.

Quantities
Measurements

Ingredients

Serves

Potato topping

Tick things off as you go — they stay ticked if you close the page.

A dotted underline means the amount has been rounded to something you can measure.

Method

Prepare & sear the lamb

  1. Step 1

    Lightly dust the diced lamb (600 g) with flour (2 tbsp) (optional but recommended for flavour and thickening).

  2. Step 2

    Place a heavy oven-safe pot or cast-iron dish over medium-high heat.

  3. Step 3

    Add the oil (30 ml) and butter (20 g).

  4. Step 4

    Once hot, add the lamb (600 g) and season with salt.

  5. Step 5

    Sear until browned on all sides.

Add the vegetables

  1. Step 1

    While the lamb (600 g) cooks, dice the onions (3 onions) and carrots (3 carrots) into reasonably chunky pieces.

  2. Step 2

    Add them to the pot once the lamb (600 g) is browned.

  3. Step 3

    Cook until they soften slightly and begin to colour.

  4. Step 4

    Stir well and scrape any browned bits from the bottom, this adds flavour.

Build the gravy

  1. Step 1

    Add 2 tbsp flour (2 tbsp) and stir until it coats the meat and vegetables.

  2. Step 2

    Pour in around 700ml of stock (700 ml). Just enough to cover everything.

  3. Step 3

    Add Worcestershire sauce (20 ml), bay leaves (2 leaves), thyme (1 tsp), and black pepper.

  4. Step 4

    Place a lid on and simmer for 30-35 minutes.

Prepare the potatoes

  1. Step 1

    Peel and thinly slice the potatoes (700 g) (about 2 mm thick).

  2. Step 2

    Place slices in a bowl.

  3. Step 3

    Add melted butter (30 g), salt, and pepper.

  4. Step 4

    Toss well so every slice is coated.

  5. Step 5

    (Optional shortcut: place potatoes (700 g) on top or the lamb (600 g) and brush butter (20 g) over them instead.).

Check the filling

  1. Step 1

    After simmering, the mixture should be rich with a thick sauce.

  2. Step 2

    Ensure it's thick enough so the potato (700 g) slices will sit on top rather than sink.

Layer the potatoes

  1. Step 1

    Arrange a first layer using smaller or less attractive slices.

  2. Step 2

    Finish with a neat top layer using the nicest slices for presentation.

Bake

  1. Step 1

    Cover with a lid.

  2. Step 2

    Bake at 170°C fan for 40 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Remove the lid.

  4. Step 4

    Continue baking for 20-30 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.

Serve

  1. Step 1

    Remove from the oven and allow to rest briefly.

  2. Step 2

    Serve as is or with your favourite side dishes.

Notes & tips

  1. Step 1

    A slightly fatty cut of lamb (600 g) gives the best flavour and tenderness.

  2. Step 2

    Thick gravy is key so the topping stays layered on top.

  3. Step 3

    Even butter (20 g) coating helps the potatoes (700 g) crisp beautifully.

  4. Step 4

    Slice thickness is flexible, thinner slices create a more delicate finish.

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Questions people ask

How long does lancashire hotpot take?

About 2 hours 5 min from start to finish, of which 20 min is prep and 1 hour 45 min is cooking. That figure is worked out from the method rather than timed with a stopwatch, so give yourself a little more the first time.

How much does this make?

The original recipe did not state a yield, so nothing has been invented for it. The scale control on the recipe card multiplies the quantities instead, which is the honest version of the same thing.

Can I see the ingredients in ounces and pints?

Yes. The metric and imperial switch on the recipe card converts every quantity, rounded to amounts you can actually weigh or measure rather than to four decimal places. Your choice is remembered for every recipe on the site.