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Beef Tagine with Prunes

Published: July 2, 2026 Moroccan Cuisine ⏱ 1h 50min
Moroccan beef tagine with prunes and almonds in a clay tagine

Beef tagine with prunes is the most iconic sweet and savoury dish of Moroccan cuisine. Tender beef is slow-cooked with warm spices until falling apart, then topped with plump prunes in a honeyed syrup and toasted almonds. This is celebratory Moroccan cooking at its finest.

Recipe Info

Prep Time20 min
Cook Time1h 30min
Total Time1h 50min
Servings6
DifficultyMedium
CuisineMoroccan

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1 Ingredients

2 Instructions

1

Brown the beef

Heat olive oil in a tagine or heavy pot. Brown beef chunks on all sides. Remove and set aside.

2

Cook the aromatics

In the same pot, cook sliced onions until softened. Add garlic, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, pepper, and saffron. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

3

Slow cook the beef

Return beef to the pot. Add water or broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1.5 hours until the beef is very tender.

4

Prepare the prunes

In a small saucepan, combine prunes, cinnamon stick, honey, and a splash of water. Simmer for 10 minutes until the prunes are plump and the liquid is syrupy.

5

Serve

Arrange beef on a serving platter. Top with prunes and syrup. Sprinkle with toasted almonds, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro.

Pro Tips

  • Beef chuck or brisket are ideal cuts for tagine. The long cooking time breaks down the connective tissue.
  • Toasting the almonds and sesame seeds enhances their flavour significantly.
  • Serve with crusty bread or couscous to soak up the aromatic sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories 520 kcal
Protein 34g
Fat 22g
Saturated Fat 6g
Carbohydrates 48g
Fiber 4g
Sugar 32g
Sodium 320mg

* Nutritional values are approximate and based on per-serving calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. A heavy Dutch oven or any pot with a tight-fitting lid works perfectly. The flavour will be just as authentic.
Yes. Lamb shoulder or leg works beautifully with the same spices and cooking time.
Rating
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.6 (138 votes)
Stephanie Grine

About the Author

Stephanie Grine

Recipe Developer & Food Enthusiast

I am a passionate home cook who believes that great food brings people together. Every recipe on TodayFoodsMenu is developed, tested, and photographed in my home kitchen — not a professional test...

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