Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul! Beef Stifado is not just a stew; it's a rich, hearty Greek tradition that promises to transform an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary dining experience. Imagine tender beef slow-cooked to perfection, bathed in a robust sauce that combines the deep flavors of red wine, aromatic spices, and sweet caramelized onions – this is more than a meal, it's a celebration of Greek home cooking that will have your family and friends begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
- 2 onions, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the beef by cutting chuck into 1-inch cubes, pat dry with paper towels, and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes in batches, ensuring each piece develops a deep golden-brown crust. Remove browned meat and set aside.
- In the same pot, reduce heat to medium and sauté sliced onions until they become soft and translucent, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up all the flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon.
- Return browned beef to the pot and add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, cinnamon, and additional salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let the stew cook slowly for approximately 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Check meat tenderness after 2 hours. The beef should be very soft and easily fall apart when pierced with a fork.
- Remove bay leaves before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot with crusty bread or rice.
Tips
- • Choose the right cut of beef: Chuck roast is ideal for this recipe as it becomes incredibly tender during the long, slow cooking process. • Brown the meat thoroughly: Take your time developing a deep golden crust on each beef cube – this step is crucial for building rich, complex flavors. • Low and slow is the secret: Resist the temptation to rush the cooking. The 2-hour simmer is what transforms tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth perfection. • Don't skip the wine: The red wine adds depth and helps tenderize the meat while creating a luxurious sauce. • Let it rest: Allow the stew to sit for 10-15 minutes after cooking to let the flavors meld together completely. • Make ahead tip: Beef Stifado actually tastes even better the next day, so it's perfect for meal prep or entertaining!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 289kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
