Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine

By Sho @ Hungry for Thai on Sep 15th 2025

Sweet & savory harmony: The combination of beef and apricots creates a unique balance of flavors that’s both hearty and slightly sweet.

If you’ve ever wanted to bring the flavors of Morocco into your kitchen, this Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine is the perfect place to start.

This hearty beef stew combines savory spices, tender beef, sweet dried apricots, and chickpeas for a dish that’s full of warmth and comfort.

Whether you use a traditional tagine pot or a Dutch oven, this recipe will fill your home with the most mouth-watering aroma.

The variety of tagines is endless—you can make them with chicken, lamb, seafood, or just vegetables.

But today, we’re making a delicious twist on the classic Moroccan beef and prune tagine recipe by swapping prunes for dried apricots.

The result? A slightly tangier and brighter flavor that pairs beautifully with tender, slow-cooked beef.

When I traveled to Morocco a few times, I completely fell in love with their culture, lifestyle, and of course—the food. 🌍💛

The vibrant spice markets, the warm hospitality, and the incredible meals shared around the table left such a lasting impression on me.

During my trips, I even took two cooking classes to learn more about traditional Moroccan dishes.

I loved it so much when I wandered through spice markets, and even brought home some beautiful cups, plates, and even a tagine pot to recreate those flavors in my own kitchen.

Every time I make this Moroccan beef and apricot tagine, it brings me right back to those unforgettable experiences.

What You'll Need

• Beef Chuck (or stewing beef) – the hearty, tender base of the tagine.
• Carrots – add sweetness, color, and balance.
• Chickpeas - add extra heartiness, a nutty flavor, and creamy texture that soaks up the spiced sauce beautifully.
• Salt – enhances and deepens all the flavors.
• Black Pepper– adds warmth and a hint of spice.
• Neutral Oil (like avocado or canola) – helps sear the beef and sauté the aromatics.
• Onions – create the savory-sweet backbone of the sauce.
• Ground Ginger– brings zing and brightness.
• Cinnamon Stick – gives a warm, comforting depth.
• Garlic – adds pungent, savory notes.
• Saffron Threads – infuse the dish with floral aroma and rich color.
• Turmeric – adds earthy flavor and golden color.
• Beef Stock or Water – keeps everything moist while braising.
• Fresh Cilantro – fresh herbal lift at the end.
• Dried Apricot – add natural sweetness and balance the spices.
• Salted Butter – enriches the sauce with silky texture.
• Honey – ties together sweet and savory flavors.
• Ground Cinnamon – layers in extra warmth and fragrance.
• Fried Almonds – crunchy contrast.

Why You’ll Love This Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine Recipe 💗

• Sweet + savory balance – tender beef with sweet apricots and warm spices is irresistible.
• Flexible cooking – make it in a Dutch oven, slow cooker, or traditional tagine pot.
• Authentic yet approachable – inspired by traditional Moroccan beef tagine recipes but easy for home cooks.
• Perfect for gatherings – looks impressive but is simple to prepare ahead of time.

How to Cook Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or tagine pot. Season beef with salt and pepper, then brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté onions and carrots until soft (10 min). Stir in cinnamon stick, ground ginger and turmeric.
3. Return beef, add stock, saffron, and cilantro bundle. Cover and simmer on low for 2 hours, until beef is tender.
4. After 1 hour, reserve 1 cup of liquid. Use it to simmer softened apricots with butter, honey, and cinnamon until syrupy.
5. Reduce sauce in the main pot if needed, return beef, and coat in sauce.
6. Serve beef topped with apricot syrup. Garnish with fresh cilantro and fried almonds.

✨ There you have it—an authentic Moroccan beef and apricot tagine recipe that’s sweet, savory, and absolutely delicious.

Whether you’re making it in a slow cooker, Dutch oven, or traditional tagine, it’s sure to become a favorite at your dinner table.

This Moroccan-inspired beef and apricot stew is rich, fragrant, and completely gluten free, making it perfect for anyone looking for a hearty yet allergy-friendly meal.

Packed with tender beef, sweet dried apricots, warm spices, and nutty almonds, it’s a dish that brings comfort and bold flavors to the table.

What to Serve With Moroccan Beef Tagine

Looking for the perfect sides to round out your meal? Here are some tasty ideas:

🥗 Starter: Moroccan salad or lemon hummus to kick off your meal

🥩 Main Course: This Moroccan beef and apricot tagine as the star of the table

🍛 Side Dish: Fluffy couscous, saffron rice, jasmine rice or warm flatbread for soaking up the sauce

🍰 Dessert: Mint tea with honey pastries or almond cookies

Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine – Authentic Slow Cooker & Dutch Oven Recipe

If you’re looking for a hearty, flavor-packed dinner, this Moroccan beef stew is the answer.

Slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender, the beef is simmered with warm spices, sweet dried apricots or prunes, and vegetables for a dish that’s both comforting and exotic.

You can make this recipe in a Dutch oven, a tagine pot, or even adapt it into a slow cooker Moroccan beef stew with couscous—perfect for busy weeknights.

For a faster option, try it as a Moroccan beef stew Instant Pot recipe and have dinner ready in under an hour.

One of the best things about Moroccan cuisine is how flexible it is.

You can make this as a Moroccan beef stew with prunes, a beef tagine with apricots, or even add in sweet potatoes, lentils, or chickpeas for extra heartiness.

Also you can even try to make a Moroccan apple beef stew variation that brings a lovely tart-sweet balance.

Whether you’re craving a Moroccan spiced beef stew for a family dinner or want to experiment with a Moroccan ground beef stew for something quicker, this recipe is easy to adapt while keeping that authentic sweet-and-savory Moroccan flavor.