Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Red Wine and Cinnamon
A rich, aromatic beef stew simmered slowly with onions, tomatoes, and warm spices, delivering deep Mediterranean flavors perfect for cozy dinners. This greek-inspired beef (mediterranean) ready in about 200 minutes pairs cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck, olive oil, large, peeled and quartered red onions 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, cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 large, peeled and quartered red onions
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 6 whole allspice berries
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes until caramelized. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 3 quartered red onions and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and edges begin to brown. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to develop flavor. Pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping the bottom to deglaze the pot.
- Step 4: Return browned beef to the pot. Add 2 cups beef broth, 1 cinnamon stick, 6 whole allspice berries, 2 bay leaves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp sugar. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Cover and reduce heat to low. Let stew cook gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until beef is tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Remove cinnamon stick, allspice berries, and bay leaves. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving over rice or crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Red Wine and Cinnamon 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 Red Wine and Cinnamon?
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 Red Wine and Cinnamon?
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 Red Wine and Cinnamon 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 Red Wine and Cinnamon?
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.
