Moroccan · Main course
Beef Tagine with Sweet Potato & Raisins
A homely, gently sweet tagine where beef is braised until tender, then finished with chunks of sweet potato and plump raisins in a cinnamon-scented sauce. The sweet potato half-melts to thicken the gravy, making a satisfying, budget-friendly dish that children love.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 130 min
- Total
- 150 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 800 g beef chuck, cubed
- 500 g sweet potato, chunked
- 60 g raisins, soaked
- 2 onions, grated
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper
Method
- 1
Brown
Sear the beef in oil, then add the onion, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, salt and pepper.
- 2
Braise
Add water to cover and simmer gently for 90 minutes until the beef is becoming tender.
- 3
Add sweet potato
Add the sweet potato chunks and cook 25 minutes until soft.
- 4
Add raisins
Stir in the soaked raisins and honey and simmer 10 minutes.
- 5
Reduce
Reduce the sauce, letting some sweet potato break down to thicken it.
- 6
Serve
Scatter with sesame and serve with bread or couscous.
Chef's tips
- Cut the sweet potato in generous chunks so it doesn't disintegrate entirely.
- Soak the raisins in warm water so they plump rather than burn.
- Beef needs a long braise — don't add the sweet potato until the meat is nearly done.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use pumpkin instead?
Yes — pumpkin or squash works beautifully in place of sweet potato and cooks in a similar time.
Is this good for kids?
Very — it's mildly spiced and gently sweet. Cut the meat small and it's an easy family dinner served with couscous.