Roasted Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds
Tender roasted lamb slow-cooked with fragrant spices, sweet apricots, and crunchy almonds for a traditional North African-inspired stew. This african-inspired lamb ready in about 170 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks lamb shoulder, olive oil, large, thinly sliced 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cut into 2-inch chunks lamb shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, thinly sliced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup, halved dried apricots
- 1/2 cup, toasted almonds
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Brown 2 pounds of lamb shoulder chunks in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until well caramelized. Remove lamb and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large thinly sliced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1 teaspoon paprika; cook for 2 minutes until spices are fragrant.
- Step 3: Return lamb to the pot and pour in 2 cups chicken broth. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Cover pot and transfer to oven; cook for 2 hours until lamb is tender.
- Step 4: Remove pot from oven, stir in 1 cup halved dried apricots and 1 tablespoon honey. Return to oven uncovered and roast for 20 minutes to thicken sauce and soften apricots.
- Step 5: Before serving, sprinkle 1/2 cup toasted almonds and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the tagine for texture and brightness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (30 min prep + 140 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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 Roasted 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.
