The Weeknd-Inspired Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine

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

A fragrant Moroccan-style beef tagine with warm spices and a hint of tart pomegranate molasses, reflecting the dramatic and popular vibes of The Weeknd’s music video. This moroccan-inspired beef ready in about 80 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 65 min Serves 4 Moroccan cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 1 lb beef chuck cubes with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 diced medium onion to the pot and sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Mix in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 tsp paprika; cook for 1 minute to toast spices.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the pot and add 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses, 1 1/2 cups beef broth, and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1 hour until beef is tender.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, then sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds over the tagine before serving warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does The Weeknd-Inspired Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (15 min prep + 65 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 The Weeknd-Inspired Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine?

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 The Weeknd-Inspired Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine?

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 The Weeknd-Inspired Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine 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 The Weeknd-Inspired Spiced Beef and Pomegranate Tagine?

Moroccan beef 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.