Slow-Simmered Tomato & Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemon
A North African stew that embodies authentic Moroccan flavors—slow-cooked tomatoes, tender chickpeas, and the bright tang of preserved lemon. This moroccan-inspired vegetarian ready in about 65 minutes pairs (15 oz, drained and rinsed) chickpeas, (14 oz) diced tomatoes, medium, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 can (15 oz, drained and rinsed) chickpeas
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, thinly sliced preserved lemon
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 cinnamon stick. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice), 1 can drained chickpeas, 1 cup chicken broth, and 1 thinly sliced preserved lemon. Bring to a gentle simmer and cover.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld. Discard cinnamon stick. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato & Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Tomato & Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemon?
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 (14 oz) diced tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Tomato & Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemon?
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 Tomato & Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Tomato & Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemon?
Moroccan vegetarian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
