Spiced Popular Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds
A fragrant North African-inspired lamb tagine slow-cooked with warming spices, sweet apricots, and crunchy almonds for a dish that’s both hearty and well-loved. This african-inspired lamb ready in about 115 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, cubed, large onion, chopped, garlic cloves, minced 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 lamb shoulder, cubed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup dried apricots, halved
- 1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or tagine, heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed lamb shoulder and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 large chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp paprika, cooking for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Add 3/4 cup halved dried apricots, cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and cook gently for 90 minutes until lamb is tender.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving to add crunch and fresh flavor.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Popular Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 115 minutes (20 min prep + 95 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 Popular Lamb Tagine with Apricots and 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 lamb shoulder, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Popular Lamb Tagine with Apricots and 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 Popular Lamb Tagine with Apricots and 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 Popular Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Almonds?
African 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.
