Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (2024)

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By Kevin

published Oct 27, 2023

4.50 from 2 votes

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This beef tagine recipe is your ticket to authentic, mouthwatering Moroccan cuisine. Succulent beef and tender vegetables are slow-cooked to perfection with an all-star blend of aromatic herbs and spices. You’ve never had beef stew like this!

Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (2)

Boy, have I got a treat for you today! This easy-to-make beef tagine recipe is brimming over with some of the best flavors of North African Cuisine. Simple, quality ingredients are combined and slow-cooked to deliver a moist, tender, and sensationally spiced stew.

This crowd-pleasing tagine recipe is rich and savory with a mild level of spice. Luckily, customizing is simple. If you prefer it more or less spicy, feel free to adjust it to suit your needs.

Beef tagine is a slow-cooked stew, so you will want to plan your time wisely. However, don’t feel intimidated. While the dish will cook for about 1 ½ hours, it only requires about 15 minutes of prep work. You got this!

Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (3)

Table of Contents

  • Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
  • Do I need a tagine to make this?
  • How to Make Beef Tagine
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes (Beef Stew) Recipe

For more authentic Moroccan recipes, check out my Moroccan Chicken Stew, Moroccan Meatballs, and this Moroccan Shakshuka.

Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (4)
Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (5)
Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (6)
Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (7)

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Beef – My top recommendations for cuts are top round steak, chuck roast, or eye or round.
  • Ghee – I like to use either ghee (clarified butter) or olive oil for the best flavor, but you can use another oil like coconut or peanut oil if needed.
  • Ginger – Adds earthy, aromatic, and spicy-sweet tones to the dish.
  • Onion – I prefer the sweet pungency of yellow onions for beef tagine, but white or red onions will work just fine.
  • Ras-el-Hanout – Spicy, floral, peppery, and earthy. Look in the spice aisle or try your hand at my DIY version.
  • Peas – Fresh or frozen peas are both acceptable.
  • Preserved Lemons – Bring a blast of salty, sweet, tangy, and tart flavor. Check out my recipe to make this classic Moroccan condiment at home.
Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (8)

Tip From Kevin

Do I need a tagine to make this?

Don’t worry, though! You don’t have to have a tagine to make this beef tagine! A large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven will do. Just be sure you have a tight-fitting lid to keep the moisture in.

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How to Make Beef Tagine

  1. Heat the Oil. Place a large soup pot, Dutch oven, or tagine over medium heat. Heat the ghee or oil, add the onions and ginger, and saute for a few minutes. They should both be soft and the onions translucent.
  2. Cook the Beef. Add the beef and sear it on all sides. Then, add the ras-el-hanout and enough water to cover the beef. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes.
  3. Chop the Vegetables. Peel both of the sweet potatoes. Chop one into larger 1-inch sized cubes and the other into smaller, ½ inch sized cubes. The smaller pieces will help thicken the sauce. Chop the preserved lemon and the tomatoes and set aside.
  4. Add the Sweet Potato. Toss the sweet potatoes into the pan with the beef. Stir well, return the lid, and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.
  5. Add Other Veggies. Thoroughly mix in the chopped tomato and peas, cover once again, and simmer for another 10 minutes.
  6. Season & Serve. Finally, mix in the preserved lemon pieces and any other seasoning to suit your taste. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with yogurt and bread.
Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (10)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tagine?

When spoken of as a food, like in this beef tagine recipe, the term is used to describe any number of traditional, slow-cooked, and aromatic stews from North Africa.

However, it also refers to the specialized vessel these dishes are prepared in! In this case, a tagine is a unique, 2-part vessel with a shallow, circular bottom and tight-fitting, cone or dome-shaped top. These cooking pots are the perfect shape for slow cooking and keep dishes like this tagine recipe moist, tender, and flavorful.

Tagines are traditionally made out of clay, but you can find modern versions made from ceramic or cast iron. They might be glazed or unglazed. If you are using a traditional clay tagine (without glaze), be sure to soak it in water for 30 minutes prior to cooking to prevent cracking.

Don’t worry, though! You don’t have to have a tagine to make this beef tagine! A large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven will do. Just be sure you have a tight-fitting lid to keep the moisture in.

What do you serve with beef tagine?

Recipes like this tagine recipe are all about community! In Morocco, it is common for the entire family to eat communally, using either their hands or bread to scoop the stew right out of the pot.

Try this classic approach or check out a few of these ideas to round out your meal:

– Spoon over a grain like Pomegranate Couscous, Saffron Rice, or Egyptian Barley.
– Pair with Pita Bread, Zaatar Bread, or any bread of your choice.
– Add some freshness to your meal with this Chilled Carrot Salad or Lebanese Fattoush.
– Enjoy with other Moroccan favorites like these tasty Moroccan Couscous Cakes.
– Offer a variety of toppings like Preserved Lemons, Moroccan Harissa Paste, fresh herbs, yogurt, nuts, and even some dried fruit.

How do I store leftover beef tagine?

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days.

Alternatively, you can let the beef tagine cool completely, transfer it to freezer-safe bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. If you go this route, I recommend dividing it into smaller portions to make thaw 1-2 servings easier.

Once you are ready to dive in again, thaw any frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight. I find reheating on the stove with medium heat is the best method.

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Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (12)

Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes (Beef Stew)

4.50 from 2 votes

This recipe for beef tagine (or made in a Dutch oven) with sweet potatoes is a Moroccan dish flavored with preserved lemon and ras-el-hanout.

Servings: 4

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr 18 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 33 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp ghee or olive oil
  • 1 1/2 inch piece fresh ginger peeled and minced
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 lbs lean beef (See Note 1)
  • 2 tsp ras-el-hanout
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 sweet potatoes
  • 1 lb fresh or frozen peas
  • 3 tomatoes peeled and chopped
  • 1 preserved lemon chopped

Serving

  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves chopped fine
  • Plain yogurt or Labneh

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a large Dutch oven, soup pot or tagine heat the ghee or oil over medium heat. Add the ginger and onion, cooking until soft and onion is translucent. Add the beef and sear on all sides.

  • Stir in the ras-el-hanout and enough water to cover beef. Bring to a boil, turn heat to simmer and cover. Cook for 40 minutes.

  • Peel and dice one of the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch pieces and cube the other into 1-inch. The smaller pieces will slightly break down and help thicken the sauce. Chop the tomatoes and preserved lemon, set aside.

  • Add the sweet potato to the beef, stir through and cover. Cook another 20 minutes on low.

  • Add the tomatoes and peas, stir through and cover. Cook another 10 minutes on low.

  • Stir through the preserved lemon pieces and season to taste. Top with chopped cilantro before serving with yogurt and bread of choice.

Notes

  1. Chuck roast, top round steak or beef eye of round are good choices.
  2. Recipe adapted from Ghilie Basan.

Nutrition

Calories: 679kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 176mg | Sodium: 836mg | Potassium: 1482mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 17015IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 8mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: main dishes

Cuisine: Moroccan

Author: Kevin

Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!

Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes Recipe (13)

Kevin

I was bitten by the cooking bug as a kid cooking and baking along side my mom. After an ROP restaurant course in high school, I went to work in restaurants and catering. My love of travel and food has led me across the world and I love to share those foods with family and friends.

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FAQs

How do you thicken a sweet potato casserole? ›

All-purpose flour will help thicken the sauce and give some structure. Maple syrup balances the sweetness and adds flavor. All granulated sugar can be too sweet.

Why are my sweet potatoes tough? ›

According to the experts at the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, sweet potatoes shouldn't be kept in the fridge because exposure to cold temperatures "will produce a hard center and unpleasant taste." Instead, keep sweet potatoes at room temperature, in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.

How long do you bake sweet potatoes reddit? ›

Oil them up, skin on, and throw them in the oven at 325 for like an hour and 45 minutes.

How do you make a sweet potato casserole less watery? ›

Add more potato and no liquid also you could use potato flakes to thicken them to the texture you like. Either with plain(all purpose) flour or cornflour mixed in milk to disolve first themn poured in ( not too much liquid just enough to disolve the powder).

Why is my sweet potato casserole so watery? ›

Why is my sweet potato casserole watery? If you overcook your sweet potatoes, they may begin to absorb too much liquid, making them watery. It's important to cut your potatoes into equal-sized pieces so that they all cook at the same rate. Make sure to remove them from the steamer as soon as they are fork-tender!

What brings out the flavor of sweet potatoes? ›

Slow-roasting the sweet potatoes activates endogenous enzymes that bring out their natural sweetness.

Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes? ›

Baking can also cause an 80% drop in vitamin A levels, twice as much as boiling. Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, boiling rather than baking should be recommended for cooking sweet potato.

Why do you need to soak sweet potatoes before cooking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

When should you not eat sweet potatoes? ›

How to tell if sweet potatoes have gone bad. If your sweet potato is soft in spots, smells rotten, or oozes a mysterious liquid, that potato should be discarded. Another sign that sweet potatoes have taken a turn for the worse is if they start growing stalky purplish sprouts.

Should I peel sweet potatoes before boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

Why is boiling not good for sweet potatoes? ›

Bake, don't boil

Baking sweet potatoes caramelizes their natural sugars, especially when done whole. It intensifies their flavor and creates a richer taste compared to boiling, which can result in a watered-down, bland flavor.

Is it better to microwave or bake a sweet potato? ›

It's really the best way. Microwaving sweet potatoes cuts down cook time by 45 to 55 minutes, and, according to a 2018 study, helps maintain the potato's nutritional value. All cooking methods cause foods to lose some of their nutrients, but the quicker your potato cooks, the more nutrients it will retain.

Is it better to wrap sweet potatoes in foil when baking? ›

Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil helps in a few ways. It prevents the exterior of the tuber from drying out and overheating too quickly, which would minimize enzymatic activity; it also results in a more evenly cooked texture.

How do you know when a sweet potato is fully cooked? ›

A good rule of thumb for whole baked sweet potatoes: 45 minutes to 1 hour at 400 degrees F; 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes at 350 degrees F; 1 and 1/2 hours at 325 degrees F. You'll know the sweet potatoes are done by piercing the center of the sweet potato with the tip of a sharp knife; the flesh should yield easily.

Will sweet potato casserole thicken as it cooks? ›

The casserole sets up as it cools. However, if you prefer a really thick sweet potato casserole, you can add about 2-3 tablespoons of flour to your sweet potato batter and this will help the mixture to thicken.

What can I use to thicken a casserole? ›

The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

How can I thicken my casserole sauce? ›

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

How do you thicken runny mashed sweet potatoes? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

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