Slow-Cooked Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Toasted Almonds

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 ready in about 160 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch cubes lamb shoulder, large, sliced 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 140 min Serves 6 African cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

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.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Toasted Almonds take to make?

Total time is about 160 minutes (20 min prep + 140 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 Toasted Almonds?

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, sliced onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Toasted Almonds?

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 Toasted Almonds 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 Toasted Almonds?

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.

Related recipes