Slow-Simmered Beef Tagine with Apricots and Almonds

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-22 · Updated 2026-06-22

A slow-cooked North African stew where tender beef mingles with sweet apricots and crunchy almonds, infused with warm spices for a deeply authentic flavor. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 160 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes, olive oil, onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large (about 8 oz) onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 cup dried apricots, halved
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

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 heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes, working in batches if necessary.
2. Step 2: Remove beef and add 1 large finely chopped onion to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until translucent, then stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder. Stir for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
4. Step 4: Mix in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Step 5: Return beef to the pot and pour in 3 cups beef broth. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, bring to a boil.
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2 hours until beef is tender.
7. Step 7: Add 1 cup halved dried apricots and simmer uncovered for another 20 minutes to thicken sauce slightly.
8. Step 8: Stir in 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving over couscous or rice.