Slow-Cooked Beef Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives
A fragrant slow-cooked Moroccan-inspired beef stew featuring tender meat simmered with preserved lemon, briny olives, and warm spices. This mediterranean-inspired beef (mediterranean) ready in about 200 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, large onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced 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 pounds beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 whole preserved lemon, pulp removed and rind thinly sliced
- 1 cup green olives, pitted
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes until a deep crust forms, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large finely chopped onion and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon paprika, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Return the browned beef to the pot, then add 2 cups beef broth, 1 whole preserved lemon rind sliced thinly (discard pulp), 1 cup pitted green olives, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm with couscous or crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?
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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?
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 Slow-Cooked Beef Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?
Mediterranean beef 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.
