Absorbed Spices Lamb Tagine with Apricots

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

Slow-cooked lamb tagine where tender meat imbibes a rich blend of warm spices and sweet apricots, delivering a fragrant North African classic. This North African-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 120 minutes, pairs lamb shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, olive oil, yellow onion, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lamb shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup dried apricots, halved
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes, then remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp turmeric powder, and 1 tsp paprika. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Return the lamb to the pot and pour in 2 cups chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
5. Step 5: Add 1 cup halved dried apricots, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes until lamb is tender and has imbibed the spiced broth.
7. Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with couscous or flatbread.