Description
A Moroccan-inspired slow cooker stew featuring tender lamb, warm spices, chickpeas, and sweet dried fruit in a rich, aromatic broth. Perfectly comforting and ideal for serving with couscous, rice, or flatbread.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lamb shoulder or leg, cut into chunks
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup dried apricots or dates, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
- Toasted almonds, optional for topping
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown lamb chunks in batches, seasoning with salt and pepper. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions until softened. Add garlic and ginger, cook 1–2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook another minute.
- Add cumin, cinnamon, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne. Toast spices for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Transfer the onion-spice mixture to the slow cooker. Add carrots, chickpeas, diced tomatoes, dried fruit, and broth. Stir well.
- Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until lamb is tender and sauce is flavorful.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh herbs and toasted almonds before serving.
Notes
- Lamb shoulder or leg works best for tenderness and flavor.
- For added richness, stir in 1 tbsp honey or pomegranate molasses at the end.
- Preserved lemon or olives can be added for a traditional Moroccan touch.
- Add extra vegetables like zucchini or butternut squash for more substance.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7–8 hours (low) or 4–5 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
