Slow-Simmered Greek Beef Stifado with Pearl Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-12 · Updated 2026-06-12

A hearty beef stew braised slowly with pearl onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices for deep, rich flavors. This Greek-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 170 minutes, pairs beef chuck roast, pearl onions, 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, cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck roast
• 2 cups, peeled pearl onions
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup water

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 olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total; remove beef and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 2 cups peeled pearl onions and sauté for 5 minutes until starting to soften and caramelize.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Return beef to the pot, then stir in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 cup red wine, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
4. Step 4: Add 1 cup water, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: Remove cinnamon stick and bay leaves before serving. Enjoy with crusty bread or over creamy mashed potatoes.