Slow-Cooked Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Regional Spices
A fragrant slow-cooked lamb stew with sweet apricots and warming regional Moroccan spices, perfect for cozy dinners. This african-inspired lamb ready in about 170 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, large, finely chopped onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup, chopped dried apricots
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder cubes and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes. Remove lamb and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 large finely chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot; sauté for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp paprika, cooking for 1 minute to release their aroma.
- Step 4: Return lamb to the pot along with 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup chopped dried apricots, 2 cups chicken broth, 2 tbsp honey, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Cover pot and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until lamb is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with couscous or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Regional Spices take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Regional Spices?
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 large, finely chopped onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Regional Spices?
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 Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Regional Spices 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 Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Regional Spices?
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.
