Northwind-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricot and Almonds

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant North African-inspired lamb tagine featuring warm spices, dried apricot, and toasted almonds for a hearty, comforting stew. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 120 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 15 min Cook: 105 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 480 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 1 lb cubed lamb shoulder and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove lamb and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 finely chopped medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tbsp harissa paste; cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Return lamb to the pot and add 14 oz diced canned tomatoes, 1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low; cook gently for 1.5 hours until lamb is tender.
  5. Step 5: Before serving, stir in 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for brightness and crunch.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Northwind-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricot and Almonds take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (15 min prep + 105 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 Northwind-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricot 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 Northwind-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricot 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 Northwind-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricot and Almonds 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 Northwind-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricot and Almonds?

Middle Eastern 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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