Slow-Cooked Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots
Tender lamb slowly simmered with warm Moroccan spices and sweet apricots, resulting in a rich and aromatic stew perfect for cozy dinners. This moroccan-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs cut into 1.5-inch cubes lamb shoulder, olive oil, large, diced onion 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 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes lamb shoulder
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup, chopped dried apricots
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1.5 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-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed lamb shoulder and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer lamb to a plate.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp paprika. Cook spices with onions and garlic for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Step 4: Return lamb to the pot along with 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup chopped dried apricots, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Bring mixture to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until lamb is fork-tender.
- Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with couscous or crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots 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 Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots?
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 Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots 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 Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Tagine with Apricots?
Moroccan 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.
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