Instant Pot Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds
A fragrant Moroccan-inspired lamb stew cooked in the Instant Pot featuring tender lamb chunks, sweet apricots, and crunchy almonds in a spiced tomato sauce. This african-inspired lamb ready in about 70 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 can (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
- 2 cups cooked, for serving couscous
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Step 2: Remove the lamb and add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Return the browned lamb to the pot, add 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, 1 cup chopped dried apricots, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 tbsp honey and 1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds. Serve the lamb tagine over 2 cups cooked couscous, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Instant Pot Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds?
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 Instant Pot Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Instant Pot Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds?
African lamb 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.
