Tempur-Pedic-Inspired Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine with Apricots
A comforting slow-cooked lamb tagine with dried apricots and warm spices, inspired by the deep, data-driven rest of Tempur-Pedic technology. This moroccan-inspired slow cooker ready in about 440 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks lamb shoulder, large, diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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, cut into 2-inch chunks lamb shoulder
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup, chopped dried apricots
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup toasted, for garnish slivered almonds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; brown 2 lbs lamb shoulder chunks in batches for 4-5 minutes per batch until caramelized on all sides; transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp paprika; cook for 1 minute until spices release aroma.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and 2 cups chicken broth to the skillet, scraping up browned bits; bring to a simmer then pour over lamb in the slow cooker.
- Step 5: Add 1 cup chopped dried apricots, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the slow cooker; cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until lamb is tender.
- Step 6: Before serving, stir gently and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds for texture and brightness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tempur-Pedic-Inspired Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine with Apricots take to make?
Total time is about 440 minutes (20 min prep + 420 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 Tempur-Pedic-Inspired Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine with Apricots?
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 large, diced onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tempur-Pedic-Inspired Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine with Apricots?
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 Tempur-Pedic-Inspired Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine with Apricots 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 Tempur-Pedic-Inspired Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine with Apricots?
Moroccan slow cooker 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.
