Slow-Cooked Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Toasted Almonds

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-25 · Updated 2026-06-25

A fragrant slow-cooked North African lamb tagine featuring tender lamb, sweet apricots, and crunchy toasted almonds, simmered in a spiced tomato sauce. This African-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 160 minutes, pairs lamb shoulder, onion, 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, cut into 2-inch cubes lamb shoulder
• 1 large, sliced onion
• 4 cloves minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp paprika
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/2 cup toasted almonds
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder cubes and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes. Remove lamb and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large sliced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp paprika; cook for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
3. Step 3: Return lamb to pot and stir in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 2 cups chicken stock, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 2 hours until lamb is tender.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup chopped dried apricots and cook uncovered for an additional 20 minutes to thicken the sauce.
5. Step 5: Before serving, sprinkle with 1/2 cup toasted almonds and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.