Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Onions and Red Wine
A hearty Greek beef stew simmered slowly with pearl onions, garlic, and red wine until melt-in-your-mouth tender. This greek-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, olive oil, onions small pearl onions, peeled for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 20 onions small pearl onions, peeled
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 5 whole allspice berries
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup water or beef broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 20 peeled pearl onions and sauté for 5 minutes until slightly golden. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Return browned beef to the pot. Add 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 cup dry red wine, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 bay leaves, 5 whole allspice berries, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup water or beef broth to ensure enough liquid for slow cooking.
- Step 5: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until beef is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Step 6: Remove cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and allspice berries before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread or over creamy mashed potatoes.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Onions and Red Wine take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Onions and Red Wine?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Onions and Red Wine?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Onions and Red Wine for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Onions and Red Wine?
Greek beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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