Description
Greek Beef Stifado is a traditional Greek stew featuring tender chunks of beef, sweet pearl onions, and a rich tomato sauce infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Slow-cooked to perfection, it’s a comforting and deeply flavorful dish perfect for cold nights or family dinners.
Ingredients
2 lbs (900g) beef chuck, cut into large cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1.5 lbs pearl onions, peeled
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
1/2 cup red wine
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Sear the beef cubes in batches until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté the pearl onions for 5–7 minutes until lightly golden.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, red wine, and red wine vinegar.
- Return the beef to the pot. Add cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaves, allspice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is tender.
- In the last 20 minutes, remove the lid to let the sauce thicken.
- Discard the cinnamon stick, cloves, and bay leaves before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
Use beef chuck for best results as it becomes tender with slow cooking.
Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days—flavors improve over time.
Freezes well for up to 3 months.
For a lighter version, reduce or skip the red wine.
Optional additions include carrots or mushrooms for added texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
