Slow-Cooked Spiced Lamb with Apricots and Almonds

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

A tender and aromatic slow-cooked lamb dish enriched with sweet apricots and crunchy almonds, inspired by Middle Eastern flavors. This Middle Eastern-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 440 minutes, pairs lamb shoulder, onion, garlic 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 chunks lamb shoulder
• 1 large, finely chopped onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup, chopped dried apricots
• 1/2 cup, chopped toasted almonds
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder chunks and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer lamb to slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large finely chopped onion and 4 cloves minced garlic. Sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
4. Step 4: Transfer onion and spice mixture to the slow cooker with the lamb. Add 1 1/2 cups beef broth, 1 cup chopped dried apricots, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Cook on low for 6-7 hours until lamb is tender and sauce is thickened. Before serving, stir in 1/2 cup toasted chopped almonds for crunch.