• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Munaty Cooking
  • Recipe Index
  • Chicken
  • Videos
  • Main Meals
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Chicken
  • Videos
  • Main Meals
  • About Me
×

Home » Main Meals

Tunisian Lamb Stew Mermez Instant Pot Recipe

Published: Sep 15, 2018 · Modified: Jul 1, 2021 by Muna · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Recipe

We will make Tunisian Lamb Stew in an instant pot to save you time. Usually, this dish takes a long time to cook on stove top until the lamb is tender and the stew is a little thick. If you are not fond of lamb, you can make this stew using chicken, and I will show you how!

Tunisian lamb stew side shot.

Tunisian Lamb Stew Recipe

On my blog, and besides American recipes, I like to share recipes for delicious dishes from around the world. Today’s recipe is for a lamb stew, something that is popular around the world but tastes different depending on spices used.

If you are new to my blog, then please head to the bottom of this post and have a look at the different stew recipes I have shared on my blog from different countries, and I would like to mention here my two favorites, Jamaican Brown Stew and Moroccan Chicken Olive Stew.

Tunisian lamb stew served in a bowl.

Tunisian lamb stew is a light stew recipe; the flavor comes from the lamb meat, spices, and onions. Although I have used red chili powder, you can omit that and introduce it to your kids.

This lamb stew is best served with Pita Bread or Plain rice.

Tunisian lamb stew served over plain rice.

Making The Lamb Stew

Since we are using lamb meat in this recipe, it will take time to cook and get tender, and here where science comes, yes, I’m talking about the instant pot, our friend and time saver!

Instead of spending 2 to 3 hours cooking this stew, checking on it every few minutes, and adding water whenever it reduces to avoid burning the stew, we are going to use the instant pot and make a lamb stew in 50 minutes. Well almost 50 minutes, because we have to let the instant pot release its pressure and then add the chickpeas and the bell pepper, and let it cook for few short minutes.

Tunisian lamb recipe, a hearty delicious stew.
over head shot of Tunisian lamb stew.

In the recipe note, I am teaching you how to cook this stew using cooked or canned chickpeas which is easier and faster way to make the stew. I also teach you how to make the lamb stew using overnight soaked chickpeas. In the notes, you’ll learn how to make this recipe using which will take fewer minutes!

So, let’s go ahead and make a delicious, hearty stew!

Tunisian lamb stew feature image

Tunisian Lamb Stew Mermez Instant Pot Recipe

Tender lamb meat in light but delicious stew, a Tunisian dish best served with plain rice.
5 from 2 votes
Print Rate
Course: Main Mail
Cuisine: Arabic
Keyword: lamb stew
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 350kcal
Author: Muna Kenny

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lamb cut in cube
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 bell pepper diced
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup cooked chickpea
  • 1 ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
  • Salt to taste
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
  • Enough water to cover the lamb meat

Instructions

  • Turn instant pot to sauté, when it’s hot add the olive oil and the chopped onion. Cook until onion is translucent.
  • Add the lamb cubes and garlic to the onion and cook until the liquid from the lamb evaporates.
  • Add the tomato paste and stir for two minutes.
  • Pour the water over the lamb and onion. The water should cover the lamb.
  • Add all the spices and salt, stir and let it boil for 1 minute.
  • Cancel the sauté option. Cover the instant pot with the lid and turn the pressure release valve to sealing and choose pressure cooking. Select 25 minutes.
  • When the time is up, keep the stew on (keep warm) for ten minutes.
  • Turn the pressure release valve to vent to release any pressure left in the instant pot.
  • After the pressure is completely released, open the lid and add the chickpea and the bell pepper. Turn to sauté and let it cook for 5 minutes.
  • Serve with rice or bread.

Notes

If you want to use raw chickpeas, soak them overnight and add them to the instant pot when you are adding the spices. Cover the lid and cook for 25 minutes.
When the time is up, keep the stew on (keep warm) for ten minutes.
Turn the pressure release valve to vent to release any pressure left in the instant pot.
Open the lid and add the bell pepper. Turn the instant pot to sauté and let it cook for 5 minutes.
TO MAKE THIS STEW WITH CHICKEN
Follow the same steps, except pressure cook for 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?Follow me on Instagram @munatycooking or tag #munatycooking!
Tunisian Lamb Stew. Tender lamb meat in light and delicious stew. This hearty stew is best served with plain rice. #stew #dinner

Share this post:

Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
« Blueberry Scones Recipe from Scratch
Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jeff the Chef

    September 16, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    I've never had lamb stew. This looks so wonderful!

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      September 16, 2018 at 10:38 pm

      Thanks, Jeff. The Tunisian dishes taste a little Moroccans, and the use mostly lamb instead of beef!

      Reply
  2. Mimi

    September 18, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    I know nothing about tunisian cuisine, but this looks delicious

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      September 18, 2018 at 4:54 pm

      Hey Mimi, you should give it a try, it's light and delicious with very tender meat.

      Reply
  3. Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome

    September 18, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    Such an interesting combination of flavors, it sounds yummy

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      September 18, 2018 at 4:53 pm

      It is yummy 😉

      Reply
  4. Danielle

    September 18, 2018 at 1:50 pm

    This looks so good! I am going to make it for my crew.

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      September 18, 2018 at 4:53 pm

      Thanks, Danielle 🙂

      Reply
  5. Amanda

    September 18, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    5 stars
    I have never tried lamb stew before--only beef. What is the difference in taste?

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      September 18, 2018 at 4:51 pm

      Hi Amanda, the lamb taste sweeter and more tender than beef, also takes less time to cook!

      Reply
  6. Amy

    January 20, 2019 at 3:37 am

    Curious on the stove top/oven cook times/instructions as I am in Kuwait and we have NO instant pots and I can hardly find even a China special electric pressure cooker.

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      January 20, 2019 at 1:23 pm

      Hi Amy, In case you want to cook this dish on the stove top, it will take the meat around 2 hours to 2 hours and a half to cook.

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE!

Hello there, and welcome! I’m Muna, the writer, food photographer, and videographer at Munaty Cooking. I’m also the mother of a handsome young man. I’m from and reside in Sharjah. Oh, and there are more fun facts about me!

Footer

AS FEATURED ON

Footer

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Recipes

  • Dinner Recipes
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. You can learn more about our affiliate policy. Please read my disclosure policy.

Copyright © 2021 Munaty Cooking