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!

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

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

Tools

• Oven safe Saute Pan
• Spatula
• Chopping Board and Knives
• Oven

T-fal B3629064 Specialty Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Oven Safe Jumbo Cooker Saute Pan with Glass Lid Cookware, 5-Quart, Black

List Price:$49.99

Price:$16.72

You Save:$33.27

Price Disclaimer

Crock-Pot SCV700SS Stainless Steel 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, 7 Quart

List Price:$39.99

Price:$29.99

You Save:$10.00

Price Disclaimer

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:$99.95

Price Disclaimer

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

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

Slow Cooked Apricot Beef with 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 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. 

4.92 from 24 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keyword: Apricot Beef with Couscous, Slow cooked Apricot Beef Recipe

Adjust Servings Here: 6 servings

Calories: 293kcal

Author: Veena Azmanov

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 2 hrs

Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients

For the Apricot Beef

• 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

For the Couscous

• 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

Metric - US customary

Instructions

Oven Baked Apricot Beef

• Preheat oven to 150 C / 300 F
• Cut beef into large bitesize pieces.
  Season with Salt and pepper. 
  
• Coat flour and coat well.
  Set aside for a few minutes.
  
• Add 2 tbsp olive oil to a saute pan. Brown the beef on all sides.
  About 3 to 5 minutes just until browned not cooked.
• Remove beef from pan, set aside. Keep warm.
• Add 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, water. Salt and pepper. Let come to a boil. 
• Cover the pan and place in the oven.
   Cook 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 bitesize 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. Brown the beef on all sides.

  About 3 to 5 minutes just until browned not cooked.
• Remove beef from pan, and place it in the slow cooker. 
• Using the same Pan.
  Add remaining oil to the pan, saute onion, garlic, and ginger for two minutes.
• Add the Bay leaves, cinnamon. Saute for two minutes.
  Then add it the slow cooker with the beef.
• Add the can of crushed tomatoes, honey, apricot jam, and lemon juice to the slow cooker. 
• Add parsley, water. Salt and pepper.
• Cover the slow cooker -
  Set low for 6 hours to eight hours or on high for 4 hours or until fork tender
• Taste and adjust seasoning before you serve. 

Instant Pot Apricot Beef

• Add salt to the boiling water.
• 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.

Prepare Couscous

• Place couscous in a bowl. stir in the olive oil well
• 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

Chef's Tips

Note:

• If you do not want to use the oven - make it on the stovetop. 
  Continue to cook on the stovetop stirring frequently (ever 10 minutes) until meat is cooked thru -
• Takes about 2 hours on a low simmer.
• Add water as needed to prevent it from sticking on the bottom.   

Nutrition Information

Serving: 255g | Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 28.8g | Protein: 21.8g | Fat: 9.7g | Saturated Fat: 2.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 3.2g | Sugar: 2.7g | Vitamin A: 0% | Vitamin C: 0% | Calcium: 0% | Iron: 0%

The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you

Tried this recipe?Mention @veenaazmanov or tag #veenaazmanov!

Love Cooking?

You may like to check out some of my other quiche recipes.
Click here to see a Recipe Index of all recipes on my blog.