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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
