Main Course · Dinner · Middle Eastern · African ·

Golden Moroccan Saffron Lamb with Caramelized Onions

Name: Golden Moroccan Saffron Lamb with Caramelized Onions
Prep time: 70 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 280 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 lbs lamb shoulder, cut into cubes; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp saffron threads, crushed and soaked in 2 tbsp hot water; Salt and pepper, to taste; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 3 large onions, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tbsp honey; 1 cup beef broth; 1 cup tomatoes, chopped; 2 tbsp raisins; 1/2 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp turmeric

Dive into a world of exotic flavors with this aromatic and hearty Moroccan lamb dish, enhanced by the golden touch of saffron and the sweetness of caramelized onions.

4.1(505 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 4, 2025

Golden Moroccan Saffron Lamb with Caramelized Onions — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 10 min

Cook

3 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Lamb Marinade

For the Caramelized Onions

For the Sauce

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 490 kcal
Protein: 26.53 g
Carbs: 14.5 g
Fat: 34.71 g
Fiber: 1.82 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2941 kcal
Protein: 159.15 g
Carbs: 87 g
Fat: 208.23 g
Fiber: 10.9 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 lbs lamb shoulder cut into cubes	1880	150	0	140	0
1 tsp ground cumin	8	0.4	0.9	0.5	0.2
1 tsp ground coriander	6	0.3	1.1	0.3	0.6
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon	3	0.05	0.9	0.02	0.6
1/4 tsp saffron threads crushed and soaked in 2 tbsp hot water	1	0.05	0.2	0.01	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
3 garlic cloves minced	13	0.6	3	0	0.2
2 tbsp olive oil	238	0	0	28	0
3 large onions thinly sliced	180	4.2	41.5	0.5	6
2 tbsp olive oil	238	0	0	28	0
1 tbsp unsalted butter	102	0.1	0	11.5	0
1 tbsp honey	64	0.1	17	0	0
1 cup beef broth	15	2	1	0.5	0
1 cup tomatoes chopped	32	1.5	7	0.4	2.2
2 tbsp raisins	54	0.5	14	0.1	0.6
1/2 tsp paprika	3	0.2	0.7	0.2	0.6
1/2 tsp turmeric	4	0.1	0.7	0.1	0.5

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Lamb

1
Prepare Marinade
In a large bowl, combine cumin, coriander, cinnamon, saffron water, salt, pepper, garlic, and olive oil.
2
Coat the Lamb
Add lamb cubes to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
3
Marinate
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

Preparing the Caramelized Onions

1
Heat Fat
Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat.
Tip: Use a large skillet to allow even cooking and caramelization of the onions.
2
Cook Onions
Add the sliced onions and cook slowly until they become soft and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
Tip: Do not rush caramelizing the onions; patience is key for maximum sweetness.
3
Add Honey
Stir in honey and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

How to Make Golden Moroccan Saffron Lamb with Caramelized Onions

Total time: 4 h 40 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Brown the Lamb
In a heavy pot, brown the marinated lamb on all sides over medium-high heat.
2
Make the Sauce
Add beef broth, chopped tomatoes, raisins, paprika, and turmeric to the pot. Stir to combine.
3
Simmer
Lower the heat and let the lamb simmer, covered, for 2 hours until tender.