For the non-versed, tagine is a popular North African stew that got its name from the conical clay (or ceramic) pot it’s cooked in. As you’ll see in this recipe round-up, there are various ingredients that can be used to make tagine. They range from lamb and pork to seafood and veggies. But all of them have one thing in common. The main ingredients are seasoned with tons of spices and slow-cooked in a rich, tomato-based broth. Also, just in case you don’t own a tagine, don’t worry. You can cook most of these recipes in a Dutch oven or a heavy skillet! So, what are you waiting for? Add a Moroccan flair to your everyday meals with these tagine recipes! These dishes might be new to you, but trust me, you’re in for a treat.
1. Moroccan Chicken Tagine
This Moroccan chicken is braised with olives, garlic, onion, spices, and lemon. The mix of spices and lemon gives the chicken a fragrant aroma and an otherworldly flavor. Traditionally, chicken tagine uses preserved lemons, which are a bit difficult to find here in the US. That said, we’ll settle for fresh lemon juice and zest for this recipe. This dish, just like most of the recipes featured here, is both special-occasion worthy and easy to make. It’s an ideal dish to serve at last-minute dinner parties.
2. Moroccan Vegetable Tagine
To me, the true mark of a great cuisine is the ability to make vegetables irresistible. Morocco manages just that and exceeds expectations. Potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic are slowly simmered in a tomato-based broth flavored with lemon and tons of spices. Chopped apricots are thrown into the mix to add a subtle sweetness to the stew. Together, the combination of tomatoes, spices, lemon, and apricots create a lovely balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.
3. Lamb Tagine
Lamb pieces are marinated for 8 hours in a Moroccan spice blend. Then, they’re braised for 2 hours in a tomato-based broth flavored with garlic, ginger, lemon, and honey. Can you just imagine the many different flavors going on in one dish? You have the gaminess of the lamb and the intense flavors from the spices. Then there’s the tartness from the tomatoes and lemon and the sweetness from the honey. And the great thing about it is that all the components go wonderfully well together. There’s no fighting or clashing, but a pure, delicious marriage of flavors.
4. Easy Beef Tagine
Here’s a simple beef tagine recipe anybody could pull off easily. There are relatively fewer ingredients in this recipe. Aside from the saffron, they’re all pretty common pantry staples. Bite-sized pieces of beef are seared and slow-cooked with fire-roasted tomatoes, saffron, and spices. Potatoes and carrots beef up the dish and turn it into a complete meal on its own.
5. Seafood Tagine
Seafood lovers, I see you, and this tagine is especially for you. It all starts with a spice paste made of garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, and lemon juice. This is used as a marinade to flavor fish, prawns, and squid. Next, a sauce is made with sauteed onions and garlic, more spices, tomatoes, seafood stock, and lemon. Finally, the marinated seafood pieces are cooked in the sauce. It results in a zesty seafood tagine that will surely elicit cries for a second helping.
6. Moroccan Fish Tagine
Fish fillets and chickpeas swim in a zesty tomato sauce flavored with sauteed onions, peppers, and spices. The spices include the usual suspects of paprika, cumin, turmeric, and coriander. But there’s one spice that makes this stew stand out: harissa. It’s a North African hot chili pepper paste made of roasted red peppers, Baklouti peppers, herbs, garlic, spices, and olive oil. With its hot, smoky, and peppery flavors, it’s no wonder this fish tagine is a certified hit.
7. Shrimp and Vegetable Tagine With Preserved Lemon
This shrimp and vegetable tagine has a wonderful blend of spices and citrus. It not only tastes phenomenal but smells heavenly, too. This dish is usually eaten with couscous or rice, but its scrumptious broth also makes for a mouthwatering pasta sauce.
8. North African Style Tofu Tagine
Thanks to this recipe, those on a plant-based diet also get to experience a sumptuous tagine meal. This tagine is packed with crispy tofu squares and earthy mushrooms flavored with fragrant spices and cooked in a thick tomato broth. A mix of roasted red peppers, vegetable broth, and tomatoes, the rich broth flavors the tofu and mushrooms beautifully. Serve it with crisp and tender toasted naan for a hearty, healthy, and tasty vegetarian meal.
9. Super Easy Pork Tagine
Pork cutlets are braised in sauteed onions, apples, spices, and lemon in this wildly flavor-packed tagine. The roster of ingredients is very short, but it does require one ingredient you won’t find in your local grocery: ras el hanout. Meaning “head of the shop,” it’s a Moroccan spice mix made of the best spices a spice vendor has to offer. That said, there is no definitive list of spices that make up ras el hanout. Typically, though, it includes cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and the list goes on. So, if you can’t find ras el hanout, feel free to make your own blend!
10. Moroccan Eggplant Chickpea Tagine
This tagine features chickpeas and caramelized eggplant slow-cooked in a luscious tomato broth. It makes for a fantastic entree or a vegetarian side dish. As usual, the vegetables are infused with spices, which again, include ras el hanout. The vegetables are also paired with either raisins or chopped dried apricots. They add a subtle sweetness that complements well with the spices.
11. Roasted Cauliflower Tagine
This next vegetarian tagine features roasted cauliflower, chickpeas, tomatoes, and olives cooked in a thick tomato sauce. Spiced with either ras el hanout or harissa, the typically bland cauliflower comes to life in this stew. Serve this with couscous and top with yogurt and parsley for the perfect finishing touch.
12. Moroccan Lentil Tagine
Cauliflower once again stars in yet another vegetarian tagine. This time, hearty lentils and sweet carrots join in on the fun. Nothing transforms bland veggies better than Moroccan spices. This dish is beyond superb, even without any meat.
13. Moroccan Meatball Tagine
These are meatballs done the Moroccan way, full of spices and a fiery tomato sauce. This dish can be made from either ground lamb, beef, or turkey. You can also use a mix of meats to change up the flavors. Aside from the flavors, Moroccan meatballs also differ in that the balls are shaped much smaller, almost the size of marbles. Because of this, the dish comes together faster than American meatballs would. Lastly, the dish is often topped with poached eggs for added richness and color.
14. Vegetarian Pumpkin Tagine
This vegetarian tagine showcases the wonderful flavors and textures of pumpkin and lentils. Cooked in stewed tomatoes and Moroccan spices, the vegetables get bathed in a thick sauce that’s bursting with fragrance and flavor. Serve this tagine with couscous or rice, or enjoy it with your favorite bread in lieu of a fork.
15. Moroccan Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Tagine
Butternut squash and sweet potatoes combine to make a hearty and healthy tagine. You’ll love how beautifully the Moroccan spices complement the inherent sweetness of the root vegetables. Apricots and garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) also join the mix for added texture and flavor.
16. Duck Tagine With Clementines
If you’re a fan of sweet and savory dishes, this one definitely won’t disappoint. The pairing of duck and clementines makes this tagine overly delish. Aside from the usual spices, honey and lemon are also used to bring flavor to the duck. Serve this glistening dish over couscous for an unforgettable exotic meal.
17. Carrot and Potato Tagine With Peas
This tagine may be budget-friendly, but it sure tastes looks and tastes expensive. Here, potatoes, carrots, and peas are seasoned liberally with ginger, chiles, mint, and Moroccan spices to give them a major flavor makeover. While it’s perfect as-is, you can make the stew even heartier by adding beans and cabbage to the mix. Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 4.2 / 5. Vote count: 5 No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Share on social media: Let us improve this post!
