Serious Spiced Lamb Tagine
A Moroccan-inspired dish with slow-braised lamb, prunes, almonds, and warming spices, cooked to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. This moroccan-inspired one pot ready in about 150 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, prunes, almonds 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. 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
- 1/2 cup prunes
- 1/3 cup almonds
- 1 large onions
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp coriander
- 1/4 cup dried apricots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder cut into 2-inch cubes and cook for 5 minutes until browned on all sides, removing to a plate.
- Step 2: Sauté 1 chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves for 3 minutes until golden. Stir in 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp coriander, and 1 tsp salt.
- Step 3: Add the browned lamb, 1/2 cup prunes, 1/4 cup dried apricots, and 1/3 cup chopped almonds. Pour in 2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 1.5 hours on low heat.
- Step 4: Check for tenderness; if the lamb is not yet fork-tender, cook 30 minutes longer. Adjust seasoning and serve with couscous or bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Serious Spiced Lamb Tagine take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (30 min prep + 120 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 Serious Spiced Lamb Tagine?
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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Serious Spiced Lamb Tagine?
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 Serious Spiced Lamb Tagine 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 Serious Spiced Lamb Tagine?
Moroccan one pot 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 120-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
