Braised Cumin Lamb with Apricots
Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with cumin, dried apricots, and tomato paste in a rich, aromatic sauce. This middle eastern-inspired one pot ready in about 105 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, olive oil, medium onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.5 lbs lamb shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 cup dried apricots
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs lamb shoulder cubes and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until onion is translucent. Stir in 1 tsp cumin seeds and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 cup pitted dried apricots, 1 cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low. Braise for 1.5 hours until lamb is tender. Uncover and simmer for 15 minutes to thicken sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Cumin Lamb with Apricots take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Braised Cumin Lamb with Apricots?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lamb shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Cumin Lamb with Apricots?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Braised Cumin Lamb with Apricots for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Braised Cumin Lamb with Apricots?
Middle Eastern one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
