Lamb Stir Fry
It’s not all flowers here at the farm. As much as I dream in sunflowers and snapdragons, Hive Five Farm is a full homestead, which means the days are layered with lots of different kinds of work. There are seed trays on the counter, muddy boots by the door, kids running through the field, and animals that need tending long before the blooms ever make it to a vase.
Among those animals are our Black Welsh Mountain sheep. They’re a rare breed, known for their dark wool and rich, flavorful meat, and caring for them is just as much a part of our farm rhythm as planting and harvesting flowers. We take a lot of pride in raising them slowly and thoughtfully, the same way we grow our blooms. Both require patience, consistency, and a respect for natural timing.
Lamb is a wonderfully nourishing meat, and one we lean on heavily for family meals. You can use a variety of cuts depending on the season and the pace of life, but ground lamb has become the most versatile option in our kitchen. On busy farm days when the field needs attention and dinner still has to happen, it’s the kind of ingredient that works with you, not against you.
Ground lamb can easily be substituted anywhere you’d normally use ground beef or chicken, and the flavor adapts beautifully to different styles of cooking. My favorite way to use it is in a simple stir fry. It’s quick, forgiving, and perfect for nights when the flowers are watered, the kids are tired, and everyone just needs to eat. I’ll share the recipe below, but first, here are a few reasons we love using local, grass fed lamb:
Lamb is a high quality protein that contains all of the essential amino acids.
It has a diverse nutrient profile that supports immune health. It’s rich in zinc, B vitamins, and iron, which helps keep energy levels steady during long days.
Grass fed lamb supports cardiovascular health thanks to its healthy fat content.
Choosing local foods reduces travel time and the risk factors that come with long supply chains, while supporting farmers in your own community.
Food, much like flowers, feels most grounding when it comes from close to home.
So go find some local lamb and give this simple, nourishing recipe a try.
Lamb Stir Fry
Ingredients:
1 to 1.5 lbs ground lamb
1 cup rice
2 large heads broccoli
1 large squash
You can substitute or add any vegetables you have on hand. This recipe is meant to flex with the season and your fridge.
Optional Seasonings:
Butter
Soy sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Garlic seasoning
Red pepper flakes
Salt
Pepper
This recipe is sized for my family of seven. It feeds us fully with no leftovers. If you’re cooking for a smaller family, you’ll likely get dinner plus a couple of lunches. For a larger crowd, adding another cup of rice stretches it easily. Like most things on the farm, it’s designed to be adaptable.
Start by getting the rice going. Measure and cook it with water, adding butter and garlic seasoning if you like. Bring it to a boil, stir, then reduce heat and cover until the water is absorbed.
While the rice cooks, brown the ground lamb in a skillet over medium low heat. Once most of the grease has cooked off, add your sauces and seasonings gradually, tasting as you go.
Chop your vegetables into large, bite sized pieces. If you’re using broccoli, I prefer to steam it separately and add it when plating. Other vegetables can go directly into the skillet. I usually push the meat toward the edges of the pan and let the remaining grease and seasoning pool in the center, then add the vegetables there so they soak up all that flavor as they cook.
Once the vegetables start to soften, mix everything together and adjust seasoning as needed.
To serve, spoon rice into bowls and top with the lamb and vegetables. If you have sesame seeds on hand, they’re a nice finishing touch.
This is one of my favorite go to meals because it mirrors farm life so well. It’s quick, colorful, and unfussy. You can start the rice, set a 15 minute timer, brown the meat, chop a few vegetables, and dinner is done. Everything goes into one bowl, which makes cleanup easier and kids happier.
It’s great for all ages. The color contrast makes it inviting, it’s good fork and spoon practice, and it’s nourishing enough to feel like a real win. And even if half of it ends up on the floor or in the dog’s mouth, you still fed your children something wholesome after a full day of growing beauty. Around here, that absolutely counts as a celebration.
Just like flowers on the table, meals like this bring a small sense of calm and order to busy days. They don’t need to be perfect. They just need to show up, steady and reliable, when life feels full.
