Beef Stifado Recipe (Traditional Greek Beef Stew)

Beef Stifado is a classic Greek stew made with tender beef chunks simmered in a rich tomato-red wine sauce with pearl onions, garlic, and aromatic spices. It’s a comforting, slow-cooked dish full of deep Mediterranean flavors—perfect served with crusty bread, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into chunks
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb pearl onions, peeled
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup dry red wine
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 bay leaf
• 4–5 whole cloves
• ½ tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the pearl onions until lightly golden. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot. Stir in tomatoes, vinegar, tomato paste, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, allspice, sugar, salt, and pepper.
4. Return the beef to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and cover. Simmer gently for 2 to 2½ hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce is thickened.
5. Remove bay leaf and cloves. Garnish with parsley and serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.