Slow-Simmered Lamb Stew with Apricots and Iraqi Spices
A hearty lamb stew infused with warm Iraqi spices and sweet dried apricots, simmered until tender and flavorful. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 120 minutes pairs olive oil, yellow onion, chopped, garlic cloves, minced 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 pounds lamb shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cups beef or lamb broth
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 4 wedges lemon wedges, for serving
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds lamb shoulder cubes and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 large chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; cook for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
- Step 4: Return the browned lamb to the pot, add 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots and 2 tablespoons tomato paste, stirring to combine.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 cups beef or lamb broth, season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes until lamb is tender.
- Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.
- Step 7: Serve the stew with 4 lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over, enhancing the dish's brightness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Lamb Stew with Apricots and Iraqi Spices take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (20 min prep + 100 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-Simmered Lamb Stew with Apricots and Iraqi Spices?
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-Simmered Lamb Stew with Apricots and Iraqi Spices?
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-Simmered Lamb Stew with Apricots and Iraqi Spices 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-Simmered Lamb Stew with Apricots and Iraqi Spices?
Middle Eastern 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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