Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine with Toasted Almonds

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef simmered with warm spices and sweet pomegranate molasses, garnished with crunchy toasted almonds for a festive North African-inspired dish. This middle eastern-inspired christmas ready in about 170 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, olive oil, yellow onion 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.

★ 4.4 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 Middle Eastern cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes, working in batches if necessary, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Lower heat to medium and add 1 large finely chopped yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1/2 tsp ground ginger, cooking for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot, then add 3 tbsp pomegranate molasses, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
  6. Step 6: Before serving, sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro over the tagine for texture and brightness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine with Toasted Almonds take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine with Toasted Almonds?

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 beef chuck, cubed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine with Toasted Almonds?

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 Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine with Toasted Almonds 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 Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine with Toasted Almonds?

Middle Eastern christmas 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

Related recipes