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Instant Pot Moroccan Lamb and Apricot Tagine

By PanPotPlates Test KitchenReviewed by PanPotPlates Editorial TeamPublished Apr 10, 2026
Moroccan 50 mins instantpotonepotglutenfreedairyfreefamilydinnerflavorfulheartybudget-friendlyslowcookermealpreptimessaver

Discover a quick and easy recipe for a flavorful Moroccan lamb tagine using your Instant Pot. Tender lamb shoulder braised with sweet dried apricots and warm Moroccan spices creates a hearty, gluten-free, and dairy-free one-pot meal ideal for family dinners, budget-friendly cooking, and convenient meal prep.

Instant Pot Moroccan Lamb and Apricot Tagine
Prep 15 min
Cook 35 min
Total 50 min
Servings 6
Difficulty easy
Cuisine Moroccan

Recipe Details

Prep15 min
Cook35 min
Total50 min
Servings6
Difficultyeasy
CuisineMoroccan
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Ingredients

Servings 6
  • 2 lbs lamb shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken or beef broth
  • 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 preserved lemon rind, thinly sliced (optional but recommended)
  • Toasted slivered almonds for garnish (optional)
  • Cooked couscous or rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Set the Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and heat the olive oil until shimmering.
  2. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the onion mixture evenly with the spices.
  5. Add the lamb cubes and sear, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
  6. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom to prevent burning.
  7. Stir in the chopped dried apricots, honey, lemon juice, chopped cilantro, parsley, and preserved lemon rind if using.
  8. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to "Sealing." Select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" on high pressure for 30 minutes.
  9. After cooking, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to "Venting" to release remaining pressure.
  10. Open the lid and stir the tagine. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice if desired.
  11. Serve the lamb tagine hot over couscous or rice, garnished with extra chopped cilantro, parsley, and toasted slivered almonds if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reader questions and answers for this recipe will appear here.

Customize this Instant Pot Moroccan Lamb and Apricot Tagine to suit your dietary needs or pantry availability with these ingredient alternatives:

  • Lamb Shoulder: Swap with beef chuck or goat for a similar rich flavor. For a vegetarian option, use seitan or firm tofu, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
  • Dried Apricots: Substitute with dried dates, figs, or raisins to maintain sweetness and texture.
  • Broth: Use vegetable broth to keep the dish completely vegan and dairy-free.
  • Honey: Replace with maple syrup or agave nectar for a vegan-friendly sweetener.
  • Preserved Lemon Rind: If unavailable, use extra fresh lemon juice and a pinch of lemon zest to brighten the stew.
  • Spices: Keep the signature North African spice profile but adjust cayenne pepper or smoked paprika quantities to your preferred heat level.
  • Serving Options: Serve over gluten-free grains like quinoa, millet, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb, gluten-free variation.

These swaps help you maintain the tagine’s comforting essence and hearty flavor while keeping preparation easy and aligned with family and meal prep priorities.

Pan Or Pot Required

This recipe is specifically crafted for the Instant Pot, which expertly marries pressure cooking and sautéing to develop deep, authentic Moroccan flavors while delivering a tender lamb and apricot tagine in under an hour. The Instant Pot allows you to sear the lamb and aromatics right in the pot before pressure cooking, reducing cleanup and maximizing flavor extraction.

If you lack an Instant Pot, any similarly equipped multi-cooker with pressure and sauté functions works well. Stovetop methods require separate pans and longer cooking times, detracting from the simplicity, convenience, and time savings of this recipe.

For serving, use your favorite bowl or pot for couscous or rice, but keep the stew preparation and cooking confined to the Instant Pot for an authentic one-pot family dinner experience that's gluten- and dairy-free, hearty, and budget-friendly.

Tags: instantpot, onepot, familydinner, flavorful, hearty, budget-friendly, mealprep, timessaver, glutenfree, dairyfree, slowcooker

Cookware Size Guidance

For preparing this Instant Pot Moroccan Lamb and Apricot Tagine serving 6 people, a 6-quart Instant Pot or larger is ideal. This size allows sufficient room for comfortably browning the lamb and onions, sautéing spices, and pressure cooking the ingredients without overcrowding, ensuring even cooking and preventing spillage or valve clogging.

Using smaller Instant Pots (3- or 4-quart) may restrict ingredient volume and liquid capacity, potentially compromising cooking outcomes. When adapting for fewer portions with a smaller Instant Pot, scale ingredient amounts accordingly and never fill the pot beyond the 2/3 maximum fill line for safety and consistent results.

Cookware Swap Guidance

This rich and aromatic Moroccan Lamb and Apricot Tagine is designed primarily for the convenience and rapid cooking power of the Instant Pot. However, if you don't have one, these cookware alternatives align with PanPotPlates' focus on accessible, family-friendly meals:

  • Slow Cooker: Sear lamb and sauté aromatics in a skillet, then transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until lamb is tender. This keeps the meal prep simple and suits slow cooker and one-pot recipe styles.
  • Dutch Oven or Heavy Casserole: Brown lamb and onions on the stovetop in a heavy pot, then simmer covered on low for 2-3 hours or bake in a 325°F oven until tender. This method fits well with family dinners, comforting dishes, and budget-friendly cooking.
  • Other Multi-Cookers with Pressure Cook: Any electric pressure cooker with sauté and pressure features can substitute the Instant Pot directly to maintain the one-pot and timesaver advantages.

Avoid methods like sheet pans or stovetop skillet-only preps, as the slow braising and pressure cooking steps are essential for tender lamb and deep, balanced Moroccan flavors that characterize this tagine.

Leftovers Quality

This Instant Pot Moroccan Lamb and Apricot Tagine stores beautifully, making it an excellent choice for leftovers and meal prep. Store cooled stew separately from couscous or rice in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

It also freezes well for up to 3 months without compromising on texture or vibrant flavors. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce thickens.

Reheat couscous or rice separately for best texture. This dish remains a flavorful, hearty family dinner and a convenient timesaver long after initial preparation.

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