Moroccan Spiced Beef Stew Recipe
This Moroccan Spiced Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender beef chuck simmered with aromatic North African spices, chickpeas, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this stew combines warming spices like cinnamon, cumin, and turmeric with a slow simmer that melds the flavors beautifully. Serve it garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley alongside couscous or crusty bread for a fully satisfying meal.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Meat and Oils
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Legumes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 large carrots, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquids
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)
- Brown the beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef and set aside to prepare for the stew base.
- Sauté onions and garlic: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant and aromatic.
- Toast the spices: Stir in ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook the spice mixture for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to release the essential oils and intensify flavors.
- Add liquids and beef: Return the browned beef cubes to the pot, then add diced tomatoes and beef broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for about 1 hour to tenderize the beef and develop the stew’s depth.
- Add vegetables and chickpeas: After 1 hour, add chickpeas, sliced carrots, chopped red bell pepper, and sliced zucchini to the pot. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer until tender: Cover the pot again and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have fully melded.
- Serve: Ladle the stew hot into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve alongside couscous or crusty bread to soak up the rich, spiced sauce.
Notes
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper quantity depending on your preferred spice level or omit it completely for a milder stew.
- Using a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot ensures even heat distribution and prevents scorching during the long simmer.
- This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- For a gluten-free meal, serve with gluten-free couscous alternatives or rice.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Moroccan beef stew, spiced beef stew, chickpea beef stew, North African stew, comforting beef recipe, easy beef stew, one-pot meal