Description
Greek Beef Stifado is a traditional slow-cooked Greek stew featuring tender beef chunks simmered with pearl onions, garlic, aromatic spices, and a rich tomato sauce. This comforting main course highlights classic Mediterranean flavors with red wine, cinnamon, and herbs, perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 pounds beef chuck or stewing beef, cut into large chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds pearl onions, peeled
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Tomato Base
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Spices and Herbs
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef chunks in batches until well-seared on all sides to develop deep flavor. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the Onions and Garlic: In the same pot, add the peeled pearl onions and cook them until they turn lightly golden, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Return the browned beef to the pot. Stir in the red wine and red wine vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, ground cloves, allspice, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the stew simmer gently for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened and become rich.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaves and cinnamon stick before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or orzo for a complete meal.
Notes
- Serve Stifado over mashed potatoes, rice, or orzo to make a hearty and satisfying meal.
- You can prepare this dish in a slow cooker by searing the beef and onions first, then cooking on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste as the slow cooking concentrates flavors.
- For a deeper flavor, choose a robust dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
