Hearty Greek Beef Stifado: A Cozy, Soul-Warming Stew Recipe

My grandmother’s cherished beef stifado recipe transports me straight to a cozy kitchen in athens.

Warm memories flood back with every tender, slow-cooked bite of this hearty Greek classic.

Robust red wine and delicate pearl onions create a magical harmony in this traditional stew.

Mediterranean flavors dance across the plate, promising comfort and deep satisfaction.

Aromatic herbs and rich tomato sauce complement the meltingly soft beef, making each spoonful a celebration.

Hearty and soul-warming, this dish connects you to generations of Greek culinary tradition.

Let’s uncover the magic of this timeless comfort meal that will surely become your new favorite.

Beef Stifado That Brings Greek Flavor to the Table

• Quick Weekend Comfort: Transform tough beef cuts into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat through slow cooking, making this stew a perfect weekend family meal that requires minimal active preparation.
• Packed with Mediterranean Flavors: Combine unique spices like cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest to create a rich, complex taste profile that transports your taste buds to the Greek countryside with every bite.
• One-Pot Wonder: Simplify cooking by using a single pot from browning beef to final simmering, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying a delicious meal with minimal kitchen effort.
• Adaptable Serving Options: Easily pair with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or orzo, allowing flexibility for different preferences and making it suitable for casual family dinners or casual entertaining with friends.

Beef Stifado Ingredients

• Beef: Rich, hearty meat that becomes tender and flavorful during slow cooking. Best with stewing or chuck cuts with good marbling.

• Pearl Onions, Garlic: Sweet, mild base that adds depth and complexity to the stew. Pearl onions provide a delicate texture.
• Cinnamon Stick, Cloves, Bay Leaves, Nutmeg, Oregano: Warm Mediterranean spices that create a distinctive Greek flavor profile. Whole spices release deeper flavors during slow cooking.
• Orange Zest: Bright citrus note that adds subtle freshness to the rich stew.

• Red Wine: Adds richness and helps tenderize the meat. Choose a dry red wine from Mediterranean regions.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Provides tangy acidity to balance the rich meat.
• Tomato Paste, Diced Tomatoes: Creates a robust, slightly sweet sauce base with deep tomato flavor.
• Beef Stock: Provides additional depth and helps create a rich cooking liquid.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity and enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Olive Oil: Traditional Mediterranean cooking fat for sautéing and adding smooth richness.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance and balance all flavors.

Beef Stew Greek Style Prep Guide

Step 1: Prepare Onion Prep

Boil water in a pot.

Drop pearl onions into boiling water for 60 seconds.

Quickly transfer onions to cold water bath.

Gently peel each onion, removing outer skin.

Set peeled onions aside on a clean plate.

Step 2: Sear Beef Perfectly

Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high temperature.

Add beef chunks in small batches to avoid overcrowding.

Brown each piece on all sides, creating a beautiful caramelized exterior.

Remove seared beef and place on a separate plate.

Step 3: Build Flavor Base

Use the same pot with remaining beef drippings.

Add pearl onions and cook until they turn golden brown.

Toss in minced garlic and stir quickly until fragrant and slightly translucent.

Step 4: Create Robust Sauce

• Tomato paste
• Red wine
• Red wine vinegar
• Diced tomatoes
• Beef stock
• Sugar
• Cinnamon stick
• Whole cloves
• Bay leaves
• Orange zest
• Dried oregano
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir tomato paste into the onion mixture.

Pour red wine, scraping pot bottom to release delicious browned bits.

Add remaining sauce ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Step 5: Slow Cook Magic

Return seared beef chunks to the pot.

Bring entire mixture to a rolling boil.

Reduce heat to lowest setting.

Cover pot and let simmer gently for 90-120 minutes until beef becomes meltingly tender and sauce thickens beautifully.

Step 6: Final Touches

Remove whole spices: cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaves, and orange zest.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7: Serve With Love

Transfer stew to serving dish.

Optional: Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs on top.

Accompany with crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or traditional Greek orzo.

Stew Tips for Greek Beef Stifado

• Blanch pearl onions in boiling water for one minute to make skin removal super easy and quick.
• Sear beef in batches to develop deep, rich caramelization without overcrowding the pot and steaming the meat.
• Use red wine to scrape up delicious browned bits from the pot's bottom, unlocking intense flavor layers in the stew.
• Simmer stew on low heat for 1.5-2 hours to ensure beef becomes meltingly tender and sauce develops complex, rich taste.
• Add a touch of sugar to counteract the acidity from tomatoes and wine, creating a perfectly rounded flavor profile.

Beef Stifado Storage Instructions

• Store leftover beef stifado in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the stew completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for 2-3 months, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of beef stock to maintain moisture and prevent sticking.
• If in a hurry, reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a tablespoon of water to keep the meat tender and sauce from drying out.

Beef Stifado Serving Ideas

• Pair Perfectly with Greek Red Wine: Choose a robust Agiorgitiko or Xinomavro that matches the stew's rich, complex flavors and complements its deep, hearty profile.
• Complement with Crisp Greek Salad: Create a light, tangy side dish with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and kalamata olives to balance the stew's intense meat and spice notes.
• Serve Alongside Creamy Polenta: Prepare smooth, buttery polenta that absorbs the stew's delicious sauce, providing a soft, comforting base that enhances the beef's tender texture.
• Enhance with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Select a rustic, crusty bread perfect for soaking up the aromatic, wine-infused sauce, adding delightful texture and maximizing flavor enjoyment.

Beef Stifado Greek Stew Types

• Low-Carb Beef Stifado: Replace pearl onions with cauliflower florets and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional sides.
• Lamb Alternative: Swap beef with tender lamb chunks for a classic Mediterranean protein variation that maintains the original recipe's rich flavors.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Use large portobello mushrooms or firm tofu cubes instead of beef, and substitute vegetable stock for beef stock to create a plant-based version.
• Instant Pot Quick Method: Reduce cooking time by using an instant pot, which can complete the stew in approximately 45 minutes while maintaining the traditional Greek flavor profile.

FAQs

• What is the origin of Beef Stifado?

This classic Greek stew originated in the Cyclades islands, where local cooks developed a rich, slow-cooked dish using abundant pearl onions and robust spices that showcase traditional Mediterranean flavors.

• Why are pearl onions important in this recipe?

Pearl onions provide a unique sweetness and create a signature texture in Beef Stifado. They caramelize beautifully during cooking, offering a delicate flavor that complements the tender beef and complex spice blend.

• Can I substitute wine in the recipe?

While red wine adds depth to the stew, you can substitute with beef broth or grape juice if needed. However, the wine contributes a critical flavor profile that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• What makes the spice combination special in Beef Stifado?

The combination of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and orange zest creates a warm, aromatic flavor profile that distinguishes this Greek stew from other beef stews, giving it a unique Mediterranean character.

Beef Stifado (Greek Beef Stew) Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty beef stifado transports Mediterranean flavors straight from traditional Greek kitchens to dinner tables. Robust wine-braised beef melts with tender onions, creating a soulful dish rich with herbs and deep, complex warmth you’ll savor deeply.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 2 pounds (900g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 pound (450g) pearl onions, peeled
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 strip of orange zest (optional)

Spices, Herbs, and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup (120ml) red wine
• 1 cup (240ml) beef stock
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 can (14.5 ounces/410g) diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Meticulously trim pearl onions, immersing them briefly in boiling water before shocking in an ice bath. Carefully slip off their delicate papery skins, reserving the prepared onions.
2. Select a robust pot and heat olive oil until shimmering. Methodically sear beef chunks, developing a rich caramelized exterior on all surfaces. Transfer beautifully browned meat to a separate plate.
3. Within the same vessel, gently caramelize pearl onions until they acquire a golden, translucent complexion. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the kitchen.
4. Incorporate tomato paste, stirring vigorously to release its concentrated flavors. Deglaze with red wine, capturing every nuanced morsel clinging to the pot’s surface. Layer complex flavors by adding red wine vinegar, diced tomatoes, beef stock, and an intricate blend of spices: sugar, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, orange zest, oregano, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
5. Reunite the seared beef with the fragrant liquid, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat, allowing the stew to simmer languidly. Cover and let the ingredients meld, transforming into a luscious, tender composition over 1.5 to 2 hours.
6. Carefully extract whole spices: cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaves, and orange zest. Taste and refine seasoning to perfection.
7. Present the stifado adorned with optional fresh herbs, accompanied by rustic bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or delicate orzo.

Notes

• Choose beef chuck or shin for maximum tenderness and rich flavor, as these cuts break down beautifully during slow cooking.
• Blanch pearl onions carefully to ensure easy peeling without crushing their delicate structure.
• Brown meat in small batches to develop deep caramelization and prevent steaming, which helps create a rich, complex flavor profile.
• Use authentic Greek red wine like Agiorgitiko or Xinomavro for traditional taste, but any dry red wine works perfectly.
• Consider reducing cooking liquid separately if sauce needs thickening, preventing beef from becoming overcooked.
• Substitute meat with portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian version, maintaining similar texture and depth.
• Allow stew to rest overnight in refrigerator for enhanced flavor melding and more tender meat texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 90mg