Moroccan Beef Stew With Apricots (Printable)

Tender beef, sweet apricots, and warm spices create this hearty North African stew.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
05 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

→ Dried Fruits

06 - 1 cup dried apricots, halved

→ Liquids

07 - 2 cups beef broth
08 - 2 tbsp tomato paste

→ Spices

09 - 2 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
11 - 1 tsp ground coriander
12 - 1 tsp ground ginger
13 - ½ tsp ground turmeric
14 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
15 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
16 - 1½ tsp salt
17 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Others

18 - 2 tbsp olive oil
19 - 2 tbsp honey
20 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
21 - toasted slivered almonds

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes in batches, searing all sides. Transfer browned beef to a plate.
02 - Add chopped onion and carrots to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in garlic, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Return beef to the pot. Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beef broth, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1½ hours, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add dried apricots and honey. Continue simmering uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until beef is very tender and sauce has thickened.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Discard excess fat if present. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro or parsley and optional toasted almonds. Accompany with couscous or crusty bread if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of tender beef and sweet apricots creates that perfect sweet-savory balance that makes Moroccan cuisine so addictive
  • One pot does all the work, leaving you with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
  • The spices fill your kitchen with an incredible aroma that promises something special is coming
02 -
  • Browning the meat properly in batches is worth the extra time since it creates the foundation of flavor for the entire stew
  • Adding the apricots too early will make them disintegrate, so wait until the beef is already tender
  • The sauce will thicken naturally as it simmers uncovered, but resist the urge to rush this process
03 -
  • A pinch of saffron added with the spices elevates the flavor and adds an authentic Moroccan touch
  • Toast your slivered almonds in a dry pan just before serving for an extra nutty crunch

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