Northern African Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked lamb tagine infused with warm Northern African spices and sweet apricots, creating a rich and fragrant stew perfect for cozy dinners. This african-inspired lamb ready in about 120 minutes pairs Lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, Olive oil, large, finely chopped Onion 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 100 min Serves 6 African cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder cubes and brown them on all sides for about 6-8 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot, cooking for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, then add 1 cup halved dried apricots and 2 tbsp honey. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 1 hour 30 minutes until lamb is tender.
  5. Step 5: Garnish the tagine with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Northern African Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (20 min prep + 100 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 Northern African 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Northern African 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 Northern African 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 Northern African Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots?

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.

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