Slow Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Stew with Hidden Apricots
Tender lamb slow-cooked with warm Moroccan spices and subtly sweet dried apricots, creating a deep, comforting stew. This moroccan-inspired lamb ready in about 500 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes lamb shoulder, large, diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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-inch cubes lamb shoulder
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed lamb shoulder seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown the lamb on all sides for about 5-6 minutes.
- Step 2: Transfer the browned lamb to a slow cooker. In the same skillet, add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté over medium heat for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 tsp paprika; cook spices for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring to combine.
- Step 5: Transfer the onion-spice mixture to the slow cooker with lamb. Add 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots and 2 cups chicken broth.
- Step 6: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours until lamb is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Stew with Hidden Apricots take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Lamb Stew with Hidden 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 large, diced onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Stew with Hidden 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 Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Stew with Hidden 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 Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Stew with Hidden 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.
