Slow Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Beef with Apricots and Chickpeas
Tender slow-cooked beef infused with warm Moroccan spices, sweet apricots, and hearty chickpeas for a comforting exotic dish. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 440 minutes, pairs beef chuck roast, onion, garlic cloves 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 2-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 can (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup, chopped dried apricots
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cut 2-inch cubes beef chuck roast and brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp paprika, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice and 1 1/2 cups beef broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then pour the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
- Step 5: Add 1 cup chopped dried apricots, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 6: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the beef is tender and flavors meld.
- Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with couscous or rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Beef with Apricots and Chickpeas take to make?
Total time is about 440 minutes (20 min prep + 420 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 Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Beef with Apricots and Chickpeas?
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 beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Beef with Apricots and Chickpeas?
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 Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Beef with Apricots and Chickpeas 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 Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Beef with Apricots and Chickpeas?
African beef 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.
