Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 2 hours 0 minute

Serves: 2

Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine

This Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine is the perfect dish to try. Slow-cooked beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender while soaking up layers of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and saffron. Sweet dried apricots balance the savory richness, creating that signature Moroccan sweet-and-savory harmony.

Ingredients

Steps

  • How to Cook Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine:

    1. In a large Dutch oven, slow cooker, tagine pot, or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.

      A hand is holding a small bowl of cooking oil.A bowl of meat above a pot

    2. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then brown it on all sides in batches (avoid overcrowding the pan). Remove the browned meat and set aside.

      A hand is holding a bowl of salt above a pot with meat.A hand is holding a bowl of black pepper above a pot with meat.A pot of cooking meatA plate of cooked meat above a cooking pot

    3. In the same pot, add the onions and carrots. Stir, then lower the heat to medium-low. Cook until the onions and carrots are soft and translucent, about 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

      A bowl of chopped onions above a pot.A hand is holding a bowl of carrots above a pot with cooking onions.Cooking carrots and onions.

    4. Increase the heat to medium. Add ground ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon stick. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

      A bowl of spices above a cooking pot.Mixed carrots and onions with spices.

    5. Add the minced garlic, return the seared meat to the pot, pour in the beef stock (or water), and add the saffron. Place the cilantro bundle on top, cover with a lid, and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 2 hours, or until the meat is tender.

      A hand is holding a bowl of minced garlic above a pot with cooked carrots and onions..A plate of cooked meat above a cooking pot.A jar of beef broth above a cooking meat pot.A bowl of chickpeas above a pot with meat.A bowl of saffron thread above a pot with meat.A hand is holding a bundle of cilantro above a pot with meat.Cooking meat pot with a lid.

    6. After about 1 hour of simmering, remove 1 cup of cooking liquid from the pot and set aside to prepare the apricots. (If needed, replace the liquid in the pot with more beef stock or water.)

      A bowl of broth above a pot with melted butter.

    7. In a small pot, add the dried apricots to boiling water and cook for 5 minutes to soften. Drain and discard the water.

      A hand is holding a bowl of dried apricots above a boiling water pot..A boiling water with apricots.Drain apricots above a pot.

    8. In the same small pot, melt the butter. Add the reserved 1 cup of cooking liquid, softened apricots, ground cinnamon, and honey. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, until the mixture turns into a thick syrup.

      A hand is holding a bowl of butter above a pot.A bowl of broth above a pot with melted butter.A bowl of boiled apricots above a pot with broth.A bowl of cinnamon powder above a pot with broth.A hand is holding a bowl of honey above a pot with broth and apricots..A cooked apricots in a pot.

    9. Once the meat is tender, remove the cilantro bundle and the meat from the pot. Reduce the sauce until thickened to your liking, adjusting seasoning if needed. Return the meat to the pot and stir to coat with the sauce.

      Two pots with cooking meat and a pot with broth.A pot of cooked meat.

    10. To serve, arrange the beef and sauce on a platter. Spoon the apricots and syrup on top, then garnish with cilantro and almonds (if using).

      Beef Tagine Recipe

Recipe Notes

Tips

If you’re craving something hearty, comforting, and full of exotic flavor, this Moroccan Beef and Apricot Tagine is the perfect dish to try.

It’s a wonderful dish for family dinners, cozy weekends, or when you want to impress guests with something a little different.