Slow-Cooked Middle Eastern Lamb with Spiced Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

Tender lamb slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce infused with classic Middle Eastern spices, creating a deeply flavorful and comforting dish. This Middle Eastern recipe, ready in about 200 minutes, pairs lamb shoulder, cubed, olive oil, onion, diced 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, cubed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 5, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• for serving lemon wedges

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed lamb shoulder and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Remove lamb and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ground allspice. Cook spices with onions and garlic for 1 minute to release aromas.
4. Step 4: Return the browned lamb to the pot and add one 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Step 5: Bring mixture to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until lamb is very tender and sauce is thickened.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the stew before serving. Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over the top for brightness.