quick

Express Shrimp Tagine

Name: Express Shrimp Tagine
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients: 1.5 lb large shrimp; 2 unit garlic cloves; 1 tbsp fresh ginger; 0.5 tsp ground cumin; 0.5 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp cinnamon; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup canned diced tomatoes; 0.5 cup vegetable broth; 1 tsp saffron threads; 2 tbsp fresh cilantro

Craving bold, aromatic spices but too tired to spend an hour over a hot stove?

Total: 25 min
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 15 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: easy
Calories: 257
Cost: $$$/serving

When the day feels long and you need a hug in bowl form, this Express Shrimp Tagine is your ultimate shortcut. It captures all the deep, earthy notes of traditional Moroccan slow-cooking—think warm cumin, earthy turmeric, and fragrant ginger—but delivers them in a fraction of the time. Because we are using shrimp instead of lamb or beef, the flavors bloom instantly in the pot. You won't have to worry about long simmer times or complex techniques; just toss everything together and let the aromatics do the heavy lifting. The result is a rich, golden sauce that coats every piece of seafood perfectly. It's deeply satisfying, incredibly fragrant, and requires very little cleanup, making it the perfect win for a weary weeknight.

Ingredients

1.5 lb large shrimp — peeled and deveined
2 unit garlic cloves — roughly chopped
1 tbsp fresh ginger — grated or finely minced
0.5 tsp ground cumin
0.5 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp cinnamon — ground
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
0.5 cup vegetable broth
1 tsp saffron threads — optional but recommended
2 tbsp fresh cilantro — chopped

Method

1 Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
2 Add the garlic and ginger, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
3 Stir in the cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon. Toast the spices with the aromatics for about 1 minute.
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4 Pour in the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and saffron. Bring to a gentle simmer and let cook for 5 minutes.
5 Add the shrimp to the pot and stir to coat completely in the spice mixture.
6 Simmer for 4-6 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque and pink.
7 Stir in the fresh cilantro and season with a pinch of salt and pepper before serving.

Variations

Vegetarian Swap — Replace the shrimp with 14 oz of chickpeas (drained and rinsed) for a hearty plant-based meal.
Extra Hearty — Add 1 cup of chopped zucchini or baby spinach during the last 3 minutes of cooking.

Notes

Serve over fluffy couscous or quinoa to soak up all that incredible spiced sauce. If you want extra texture, add a handful of golden raisins during the simmering step.