Looking to explore the flavors of North Africa through cooking? You’re in luck! With its rich, aromatic spices and slow-cooked broths, tagine is a culinary delight that’s easily replicable at home. And if you’ve recently acquired a tagine pot, but aren’t sure where to start, this round-up of recipes has got you covered. From classic lamb and pork dishes to seafood and vegetable options, the possibilities are endless.
The key to creating authentic tagines is layering flavors through the use of spices and tomatoes, resulting in a depth of flavor that’s hard to match. But don’t worry if you don’t have a tagine pot – these recipes can easily be adapted for cooking in a Dutch oven or heavy skillet. So why not add a dash of Moroccan flair to your everyday meals with these delicious tagine recipes? You won’t regret it!
Moroccan Chicken Tagine
With its rich aroma and otherworldly flavor, this Moroccan chicken braised with olives, garlic, onion, spices, and lemon juice is a true showstopper. The perfect blend of spices and citrus creates a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible. While traditional recipes often call for preserved lemons, we’ve adapted the recipe to use fresh lemon zest and juice, making it easily accessible to cooks in the US.
This dish is a masterclass in versatility – not only is it suitable for special occasions, but its ease of preparation also makes it an excellent choice for last-minute dinner parties.
Moroccan Vegetable Tagine
What sets great cuisine apart is its ability to render vegetables undeniably appealing. Morocco masterfully achieves this, far surpassing expectations. The slow-cooked medley of potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic in a rich tomato broth infused with the brightness of lemon juice and an array of spices is truly sublime. A surprising yet thoughtful addition of chopped apricots injects a subtle sweetness into the stew, harmonizing beautifully with the complex flavors that unfold.
The synergy between tomatoes, spices, lemon, and apricots yields a delightful trifecta of sweet, spicy, and savory notes that tantalize the taste buds.
Lamb Tagine
The lamb pieces are first immersed in a Moroccan spice blend for an extended 8-hour period, allowing the rich and complex flavors to penetrate deep into the meat. This is followed by a 2-hour braising process in a rich tomato-based broth that’s been infused with aromatic notes of garlic, ginger, lemon, and honey.
The resulting dish is a masterclass in flavor harmony, where the bold gaminess of the lamb is beautifully balanced by the pungent spices, the tangy tartness of the tomatoes and lemon, and the subtle sweetness of the honey. It’s a true culinary marriage of flavors that work together in perfect symphony.
Easy Beef Tagine
This straightforward beef tagine recipe is perfect for anyone looking to whip up a delicious meal with minimal fuss. With just a few common ingredients beyond the luxurious saffron, you’ll be able to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. The recipe starts by searing bite-sized pieces of beef before slow-cooking them with roasted tomatoes, saffron, and spices. To add some heft and turn it into a filling meal, potatoes and carrots are incorporated into the mix.
Seafood Tagine
For those who crave the flavors of the sea, this seafood tagine is an ode to your taste buds. The journey begins with a fragrant spice paste, carefully crafted from garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This aromatic blend serves as a marinade, infusing fish, prawns, and squid with its essence.
Next, sautéed onions and garlic mingle with the spices, tomatoes, seafood stock, and another splash of lemon to create a rich and tangy sauce.
The pièce de résistance is the addition of the marinated seafood, which cooks in the sauce to perfection.
The end result is a vibrant seafood tagine that will undoubtedly leave you yearning for seconds.
Moroccan Fish Tagine
In the realm of culinary innovation, few dishes can claim to be as bold and exciting as this fish stew. The foundation of this flavorful masterpiece lies in the harmonious union of tender fish fillets, succulent chickpeas, and a rich tomato sauce, all expertly seasoned with a medley of aromatics and spices. Paprika, cumin, turmeric, and coriander form the core of its savory profile, but it’s the unexpected addition of harissa that truly sets this tagine ablaze.
This North African chili pepper paste is crafted from roasted red peppers, Baklouti peppers, aromatic herbs, pungent garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil, resulting in a flavor experience that’s both fiery and alluring. The smoky heat of the harissa perfectly balances the freshness of the fish, making this dish a true showstopper.
Shrimp and Vegetable Tagine With Preserved Lemon
Savor the aromatic fusion of shrimp, vegetables, and exotic spices in this delectable tagine. The harmonious blend of flavors not only tantalizes the taste buds but also fills the air with an irresistible aroma. This culinary masterpiece can be savored with a fluffy side of couscous or rice, while its rich broth has the potential to elevate pasta dishes to new heights.
North African Style Tofu Tagine
With this recipe, individuals following a plant-based diet can indulge in a delectable tagine dish that’s both flavorful and nutritious. The star of the show is crispy tofu squares, perfectly complemented by earthy mushrooms infused with aromatic spices and simmered in a rich tomato broth. The hearty sauce, crafted from roasted red peppers, vegetable broth, and tomatoes, beautifully balances the flavors of the tofu and mushrooms.
Serve this wholesome vegetarian meal with a side of crisp, tender naan for a truly satisfying experience.
Super Easy Pork Tagine
In this mouth-watering tagine recipe, pork cutlets are slow-cooked in a rich and aromatic mixture of sautéed onions, apples, spices, and lemon. While the ingredient list may be short, it does require one unique spice: ras el hanout, a Moroccan blend that adds unparalleled depth to the dish. Also known as ‘head of the shop,’ this spice mix typically includes cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and other carefully selected spices.
If you’re unable to find ras el hanout at your local market, don’t worry – creating your own custom blend is a simple and rewarding process.
Moroccan Eggplant Chickpea Tagine
This North African-inspired tagine boasts a rich and flavorful profile, courtesy of slow-cooked chickpeas and caramelized eggplant submerged in a velvety tomato broth. A versatile dish, it can effortlessly transition from an impressive entree to a satisfying vegetarian side. As with many traditional recipes, the star ingredients are infused with aromatic spices – ras el hanout being a key player here.
Adding a delightful contrast is the sweet and chewy texture of either raisins or chopped dried apricots, perfectly balanced against the bold flavors of the spices.
Roasted Cauliflower Tagine
A hearty vegetarian tagine that reimagines roasted cauliflower as a star of the show. The humble vegetable is transformed by the rich flavors of ras el hanout or harissa, typically found in North African cuisine. This slow-cooked stew brings together the natural sweetness of roasted tomatoes and olives, along with protein-rich chickpeas, all united in a thick and savory tomato sauce.
To elevate this dish to new heights, serve it over fluffy couscous and finish it off with a dollop of creamy yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Moroccan Lentil Tagine
In this latest vegetarian tagine recipe, cauliflower takes center stage once more, this time accompanied by nutritious lentils and vibrant carrots. The magic of Moroccan spices elevates the dish to new heights, making it a standout meal that just happens to be meat-free – and utterly superb.
Moroccan Meatball Tagine
Moroccan meatballs deviate from their American counterparts in several key ways. While flavor profiles remain a crucial aspect, the distinctiveness of Moroccan meatballs lies in their diminutive size, similar to marbles. This compact shape enables a faster cooking time compared to traditional meatballs. Additionally, the dish is often finished with poached eggs, introducing an element of richness and visual appeal.
The use of ground lamb, beef, turkey, or a combination of meats offers versatility, allowing you to adjust the flavor profile to your liking.
Vegetarian Pumpkin Tagine
A vegetarian tagine masterpiece is born, as the harmonious union of pumpkin and lentils takes center stage. The slow-cooked stewed tomatoes and Moroccan spices conspire to create a rich, fragrant sauce that envelops the vegetables in a symphony of flavors and textures. This delectable dish is perfectly paired with couscous or rice, or can be devoured sans utensil with your favorite bread.
Moroccan Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Tagine
The marriage between butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and Moroccan spices yields a wholesome and satisfying tagine that will delight your senses. The inherent sweetness of the root vegetables is masterfully complemented by the warm, aromatic flavors of cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. To add depth and variety to this nutritious dish, apricots and garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas) are seamlessly integrated into the mix, providing a delightful contrast in texture and taste.
Duck Tagine With Clementines
Savory and sweet fusion lovers, rejoice! This duck tagine recipe is a game-changer. The harmonious marriage of succulent duck and tangy clementines creates a truly mouthwatering experience. To elevate the flavor profile, honey and lemon are expertly woven into the dish, complementing the rich spices perfectly. Serve this show-stopping meal over fluffy couscous for an unforgettable culinary adventure.
Carrot and Potato Tagine With Peas
This tagine is a culinary surprise package – not only does it look like a gourmet dish, but its rich flavors belie its budget-friendly price. The humble trio of potatoes, carrots, and peas are transformed through liberal seasoning with ginger, chiles, mint, and the warm aromas of Moroccan spices. While it’s already satisfying on its own, you can easily take it to the next level by adding nutritious beans and crunchy cabbage to create a truly filling meal.
