Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Pearl Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A rich and aromatic Greek beef stew simmered slowly with pearl onions, tomatoes, and warming spices for tender, flavorful bites. This Greek-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 170 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, olive oil, large onion, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups pearl onions, peeled
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 whole allspice berries
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 sliced large onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups peeled pearl onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor. Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup red wine, and 1 cup beef broth. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom.
5. Step 5: Return beef to the pot, then add 1 cinnamon stick, 2 bay leaves, 6 whole allspice berries, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp sugar. Bring to a simmer.
6. Step 6: Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until beef is tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
7. Step 7: Remove cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and allspice berries. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.