Slow-Simmered Lamb Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Green Olives
Tender lamb pieces slowly cooked with fragrant spices, preserved lemon, and briny green olives for a rich Moroccan-inspired stew. This moroccan-inspired lamb (gluten free) ready in about 140 minutes pairs olive oil, large yellow onion, finely 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 lbs boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 small preserved lemon, pulp removed, rind thinly sliced
- 1 cup green olives, pitted
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder cubes and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes until a rich crust forms, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Lower heat to medium, add 1 large finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and slightly golden. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, and 1 tbsp harissa paste. Stir continuously for 1 minute to toast spices and release aromas.
- Step 4: Return lamb to the pot along with 1 small preserved lemon rind (thinly sliced), 1 cup pitted green olives, and 2 cups chicken broth. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 5: Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer slowly for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until lamb is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving to add brightness and freshness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Lamb Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Green Olives take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Green Olives?
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 Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Green Olives?
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 Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Green Olives 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.
Is Slow-Simmered Lamb Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Green Olives gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
