Intermediate-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant Moroccan-inspired lamb tagine simmered with warming spices and sweet apricots for a balanced, hearty stew. This middle eastern-inspired middle eastern ready in about 130 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, cubed, large onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

★ 4.6 (12 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 110 min Serves 6 Middle Eastern cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder cubes seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, browning on all sides for about 6-8 minutes until deeply caramelized. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, reduce heat to medium, add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, cooking for 1 minute until spices bloom.
  4. Step 4: Return the lamb to the pot, pour in 2 cups chicken broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low, cooking gently for 1 hour.
  5. Step 5: After 1 hour, add 1 cup halved dried apricots and 1 tbsp honey, stirring well. Continue simmering uncovered for 30 minutes until the lamb is tender and sauce thickened.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the stew before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Intermediate-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots take to make?

Total time is about 130 minutes (20 min prep + 110 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 Intermediate-Spiced Lamb Tagine 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, cubed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Intermediate-Spiced Lamb Tagine 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 Intermediate-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots 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 Intermediate-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots?

Middle Eastern middle eastern 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.

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