Description
Beef Stifado is the kind of cozy, slow-cooked comfort food that makes dinner feel extra special. Tender chunks of beef simmer with pearl onions in a rich tomato, red wine, and spice-kissed sauce until everything becomes deeply savory and beautifully hearty. It is a wonderful easy recipe for family dinners, comforting weekend meals, dinner ideas for guests, and classic food ideas when you want something warm, satisfying, and full of flavor.
Ingredients
2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound pearl onions, peeled
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 cup dry red wine
1 1/2 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Pat the beef dry and season it with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
3. Brown the beef in batches until deeply seared on all sides, then transfer it to a plate.
4. Add the pearl onions to the same pot and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until they begin to soften and lightly color.
5. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring well.
7. Pour in the red wine and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
8. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, red wine vinegar, oregano, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
9. Return the beef and any juices to the pot and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
10. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is very tender.
11. Remove the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
12. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then garnish with fresh thyme or parsley before serving.
Notes
Do not rush the browning step or crowd the pan, because properly seared beef creates the deep flavor that gives the sauce its rich, authentic taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 472
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 44g
- Cholesterol: 115mg