Slow-Cooked Lamb Stifado with Pearl Onions and Red Wine

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

Tender lamb stewed slowly with pearl onions, tomatoes, and aromatic cinnamon and cloves, simmered in rich red wine for deep flavor. This Greek-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 170 minutes, pairs lamb shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, pearl onions, extra virgin olive oil 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 lamb shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 2 cups, peeled pearl onions
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp, chopped for garnish fresh parsley

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs lamb shoulder cubes and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 cups peeled pearl onions to the pot. Sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and onions begin to soften.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 cup dry red wine, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, 2 bay leaves, 1 tbsp sea salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Add 1 cup water to the pot and bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover pot partially, and cook gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until lamb is fork-tender and sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Remove cinnamon stick, cloves, and bay leaves. Adjust seasoning if needed and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.