Savory Beef Stifado: Rediscover Greek Comfort Food Magic Recipe
Savory Beef Stifado is a traditional Greek comfort food featuring tender beef chunks slow-simmered with sweet pearl onions, garlic, aromatic spices, and a rich tomato and red wine sauce. This hearty stew is perfect for cozy dinners and pairs wonderfully with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread, delivering deep, robust flavors that improve even more the next day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
For the Stew
- 2 pounds Beef (chuck or brisket), cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 16 ounces Small Pearl Onions (sweet variety), peeled
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Red Wine (for deglazing)
- 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes (quality canned)
- 1 stick Cinnamon Stick (optional)
- 2 leaves Bay Leaves (discard before serving)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Honey (can substitute with sugar)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef chunks in batches, ensuring all sides are well-seared to develop flavor. Once browned, remove the beef and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pot, add the peeled pearl onions and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
- Deglaze with Red Wine: Pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to lift all browned bits. Let the wine reduce for a few minutes, intensifying the flavor base.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and dried oregano. Let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes to combine the flavors.
- Simmer the Stew: Return the browned beef along with its juices to the pot. Add red wine vinegar and honey, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the stew and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Beef Stifado improves in flavor when reheated, making it perfect for meal prepping or leftovers.
- Use sweet pearl onions for the authentic mild flavor; if unavailable, small shallots can be a substitute.
- Red wine vinegar and honey balance the acidity and sweetness of the stew, but both are optional based on your taste preference.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Keywords: Beef Stifado, Greek beef stew, Greek comfort food, slow simmer beef, savory beef stew, pearl onions stew, traditional Greek recipe
