Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Sweet Onions and Red Wine

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, aromatic Greek beef stew simmered slowly with pearl onions, garlic, and red wine for deep, comforting flavors. This mediterranean-inspired beef ready in about 195 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, olive oil, small pearl onions, peeled for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds beef chuck cubes and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until browned evenly. Remove beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 20 ounces peeled pearl onions to the pot and sauté for 6-7 minutes until they begin to soften and caramelize.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant and the tomato paste darkens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the pot. Add 1 stick dried cinnamon, 2 bay leaves, 1 cup red wine, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Bring stew 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.
  6. Step 6: Remove cinnamon stick and bay leaves before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Greek Beef Stifado with Sweet Onions and Red Wine take to make?

Total time is about 195 minutes (15 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 Sweet 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 Sweet 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 Sweet 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 Sweet Onions and Red Wine?

Mediterranean 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes