Slow Cooked Apricot Beef recipe with Couscous

Name: Slow Cooked Apricot Beef with Couscous
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 130 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 kg Beef (cut into cubes); 2 tbsp All purpose flour; 3 tbsp Olive oil; 1/2 cup Onion (chopped fine ); 2 cloves Garlic (minced); 1/2 inch Ginger (grated); 2 Bay leaves; 1 Cinnamon stick (1 large or 2 small ); 1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder; 1/4 tsp Cumin powder; 1/2 tsp Sweet or hot paprika; 1 tbsp Lemon juice; 4 tbsp Apricot jam; 400 grams Canned Crushed tomatoes ((1 can)); 250 ml Water; 1/4 cup Parsley; 2 cups Instant couscous; 1 tbsp Olive oil; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1 liter Boiling water; 1/2 cup Cranberries Or; 1/2 cup Fresh Pomegranate pearls; 1/2 cup Parsley (chopped)

July 21, 2016 *Updated* October 17, 2018 By Veena Azmanov 43 Comments

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Slow Cooked Apricot Beef Recipe on Couscous

This Apricot Beef recipe is absolutely heavenly. Slow cooked until fork tender with tomatoes and spices. A little zing of apricot jam takes it to its ultimate comfort. It takes only 10 minutes of hands-on work and the oven does the rest of the work. Perfect for busy days.

BEST Slow Cooked Apricot Beef, Crockpot Apricot Beef, Slow Cooker Apricot Beef,

The kids are on summer vacations so business is low. Most people are traveling overseas with the family. The sun is hot! I mean hot!! Sometimes you can’t step outdoors. Like 40 C. Yep!! Yet; we love summer – don’t we? My Aadi loves summer because there is no school. He’d rather be playing soccer or basketball than sit doing homework. You know! Boys!!

Recently I’ve been a bit bored in the kitchen cooking. I always check with the kids what they feel like for lunch or dinner and that helps me plan my weekly menu. So while it helps the kids make the decisions; it also mentally prepares them that they have to eat what they ask me to cook.

But these last few days I decided not to ask them but to try and make things that I had on my recipe books. Recipes that I created but have not made them for the blog.

Apricot and Beef

The first time I tried apricot beef was on my travel to Istanbul. It was a gorgeous Slow cooked beef tagine dish with lots of apricots. A bit too many apricots but I loved the idea very much. When I came back I experimented with a few chicken and apricot variations which were very delicious. One day, I made it with Beef. OMG!! We do love chicken too. Have you tried my Slow Cooked Apricot Cranberry Chicken with couscous yet? Oh, you must! My kids favorite.

We often make couscous to go with this dish but steamed rice, mashed potatoes or even creamy polenta work a treat.

BEST Slow Cooked Apricot Beef, Crockpot Apricot Beef, Slow Cooker Apricot Beef,

Slow cooking saves time!

I like slow cooking on busy days. Why? Because I can plan ahead and organize my day ahead of time. So, when I have to spend cake decorating, I choose slow-cooked dishes. Sometimes, I choose one pot baked casserole type of dishes that work well too. The best thing about slow cooked meals is that you do less work. The oven, stove top or the slow cooker does the cooking for you.

So while it tastes longer to cook, slow-cooked dishes can be a time saver. See the irony? You can make them way ahead of time and you spend less time in the kitchen. A big blessing for me. Often I will get that Bolognaise recipe simmering on the stove top before I start cake decorating. When it’s time for the kids to get back from school; I boil the pasta and that’s it. Lunch is ready.

BEST Slow Cooked Apricot Beef, Crockpot Apricot Beef, Slow Cooker Apricot Beef,

This slow-cooked apricot beef is absolutely heavenly. It takes only 10 minutes of hands-on work and the oven does the rest. The slow cooking makes the meat fork tender and melts in your mouth. The apricots add a rich fruity flavor and complement the beef and spices really well.
Here I am serving it with couscous. In fact, I am using the instant version here. I’ve shown you how I make my couscous so it comes out light and fluffy. You could serve it with white rice too!

Let’s talk ingredients and Substitutes (Save/Pin)

Beef – It’s best to use meats that work well for slow cooking. I use a shoulder or leg which is delicious and cooks to fork tender over time.
Onions – If you like a sweet taste to your meat use red onions. The apricot does add a tad sweetness so I used a regular brown onion.
Ginger and garlic – for me meat dishes have to have ginger and garlic. They add so much of flavor to the meat. Grating makes sure it gets completely dissolved in the dish.
Apricot jam – I make homemade apricot jam but any store-bought jam would work just as well. 2 tbsp does not sound like a lot but trust me it does add so much flavor.
Paprika – If you like spicy use add hot paprika or smoked sweet paprika will do. Paprika adds a nice color to the dish apart from the flavor.

BEST Slow Cooked Apricot Beef, Crockpot Apricot Beef, Slow Cooker Apricot Beef,

Recipe – Slow Cooked Apricot Beef or Crockpot Beef Recipe (Save/Pin)

Tools

T-fal B36290 Specialty Nonstick 5 Qt. Jumbo Cooker Sauté Pan with Glass Lid, Black

List Price:$25.93

Price:$19.94

You Save:$5.99

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Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker | Stainless Steel (SCV700SS)

List Price:$39.99

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Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer

List Price:$99.95

Price:$79.95

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For the Apricot Beef

Beef – 1 kg (2 lbs) cut into cubes
All purpose flour – 2 tbsp
Olive oil – 3 tbsp
Onion – 1/2 medium (about 1/2 cup) finely chopped
Garlic – 2 medium -minced
Ginger – 1/2 inch grated
Bay leaves – 2 large
Cinnamon stick – 1 large or 2 small
Cinnamon powder – 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder – 1/4 tsp
Sweet or hot paprika – 1/2 tsp
Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
Apricot jam – 4 tbsp
Crushed tomatoes -1 can – 400 grams or 10 oz
Water – 250 ml (1 cup)
Parsley – 1/4 cup

For the Couscous

Instant couscous – 2 cups
Olive oil – 1 tbsp
Salt – 1/2 tsp
Boiling water – 1 liter (4 cups)
Cranberries or fresh pomegranate pearls – 1/2 cup
Parsley chopped – 1/2 cup

BEST Slow Cooked Apricot Beef, Crockpot Apricot Beef, Slow Cooker Apricot Beef,

Method:

Prepare Beef (Oven baked)

Preheat oven to 150 C / 300 F
Cut beef into large bite-size pieces. Season with Salt and pepper. Toss with flour and coat well.
Set aside for a few minutes.
Add 2 tbsp olive oil to a saute pan and brown the beef on all sides. Takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove beef from pan and keep warm.
Add the remaining oil to the pan, saute onion, garlic, and ginger for two minutes.
Add the Bay leaves, cinnamon, and beef back to the pan. Saute for two minutes.
Add the can of crushed tomatoes, followed by apricot jam, and lemon juice.
Add parsley, one cups water.
Season with salt and pepper.
When it comes to a boil.
Place pan covered in the oven and cook at 150 C / 300 F for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the beef is fork tender.
Halfway through cooking stir, check consistency. If too dry add some more water.

Slow Cooker Apricot Beef

Cut beef into large bite-size pieces. Season with Salt and pepper. Toss with flour and coat well.
Set aside for a few minutes.
Add 2 tbsp olive oil to a saute pan and brown the beef on all sides. Takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove beef from pan and add to the slow cooker
To the same pan – add remaining oil and saute onion, garlic, and ginger for two minutes.
Add the Bay leaves, cinnamon. Saute for two minutes.
Pour the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
Then add the can of crushed tomatoes, apricot jam, and lemon juice to the slow cooker.
Followed by the parsley, one cups water.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cover the slow cooker and set on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until fork tender
Taste and adjust seasoning before you serve.

Instant Pot Apricot Beef

Cut beef into large bite-size pieces. Season with Salt and pepper. (do not coat with flour)
Set aside for a few minutes.
Add 2 tbsp olive oil to a saute’ pan and brown the beef on all sides. Takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove beef from pan and keep warm.
Add the remaining oil to the pan, saute onion, garlic, and ginger for two minutes.
Add the Bay leaves, cinnamon, and beef back to the pan. Saute for two minutes.
Add the can of crushed tomatoes, followed by apricot jam, and lemon juice.
Add parsley, one cups water.
Season with salt and pepper.
Close the lid and steam valve of the instant pot
Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes
When done – release pressure naturally for 10 minutes
Substitute flour in the recipe for 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Mix cornstarch in 1/4 cup water and add to the instant pot.
Cook for five minutes until thickened.
Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

BEST Slow Cooked Apricot Beef, Crockpot Apricot Beef, Slow Cooker Apricot Beef,

Prepare Couscous

Place couscous in a bowl. stir in the olive oil well
Add salt to the boiling water.
Pour boiling water over the couscous. Cover with a lid and let sit for 20 minutes
After 10 minutes fluff with a fork
Add cranberries or pomegranate and parsley

Don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest for later.
You can find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.

BEST Slow Cooked Apricot Beef, Crockpot Apricot Beef, Slow Cooker Apricot Beef,

Slow Cooked Apricot Beef with Couscous

Author: Veena Azmanov

5 from 24 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course - Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine - Middle Eastern

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 2 hrs

Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins

Calories: 293

Adjust Servings Here: 6 servings

Description

This Apricot Beef recipe is absolutely heavenly. Slow cooked until fork tender with tomatoes and spices. A little zing of apricot jam takes it to it's ultimate comfort. It takes only 10 minutes hands on work and the oven does the rest of the work. Perfect for busy days.