Cumin-Spiced Lamb and Date Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting stew with tender lamb, sweet dates, and warm spices simmered to perfection. This middle eastern-inspired soups ready in about 110 minutes pairs pounds lamb shoulder, tablespoons olive oil, large onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 550 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 1.5 pounds lamb shoulder cubes with salt and pepper, then brown on all sides for 5 minutes total.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1/4 cup tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 cup chicken stock and 1/2 cup water, scraping the pot bottom to release browned bits.
  6. Step 6: Add 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates and 1 bay leaf, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  7. Step 7: Cover and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes until lamb is fork-tender, stirring occasionally.
  8. Step 8: Discard bay leaf, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cumin-Spiced Lamb and Date Stew take to make?

Total time is about 110 minutes (20 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 Cumin-Spiced Lamb and Date Stew?

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 pounds lamb shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cumin-Spiced Lamb and Date Stew?

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 Cumin-Spiced Lamb and Date Stew 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 Cumin-Spiced Lamb and Date Stew?

Middle Eastern soups 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

Related recipes