Stifado with tender beef, pearl onions, red wine-tomato sauce and bay leaf
Greek Recipe

Stifado

This Stifado recipe braises beef with shallots or pearl onions in red wine tomato sauce. Cinnamon, bay leaf and allspice give the typical warm flavour.

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Total time 3 hr
Calories 640 kcal
Servings 4 servings
Difficulty Advanced
By the Published Updated Editorially approved

Why this recipe works

Stifado with beef, red wine and pearl onions

Stifado is not cooked quickly. Meat and onions need a gentle heat to make the sauce sweet and spicy and the meat will break down tenderly. Small onions remain as whole as possible and give the dish its character.

Mediterranean Cuisine Lunch One-Pot Recipes Dinner

Recipe

Stifado

Stifado is a Greek stew dish with beef, lots of small onions, red wine, tomatoes, cinnamon, bay leaf and allspice. It takes time.

Ingredients

4 servings

Method

  1. 1

    Roast meat

    Season beef with salt and sauté in olive oil in portions. Remove.

  2. 2

    Roast onions

    Roast pearl onions or shallots in a roasting pan until golden brown, without breaking up.

  3. 3

    Prepare sauce

    Add garlic, tomatoes, red wine, vinegar, stock, bay leaf, cinnamon and allspice. Reserve meat.

  4. 4

    Stew

    Cover and braise the Stifado gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until the meat is tender.

  5. 5

    Season to taste

    Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Boil the sauce open and season with salt and pepper.

Kitchen know-how

Tips for Stifado

Gently braise

High heat makes meat dry. Silently braising makes it tender.

Leave onions whole

Small onions give Stifado its character and should not break down completely.

Warm spices

Cinnamon and allspice add depth. Too much of it can make the sauce sweeter.

Variations

How to adapt this recipe

Rabbit is a classic alternative. The cooking time can be slightly shorter depending on the piece.

Stifado often tastes even rounder when warmed up. Heat gently and add a little water if necessary.

Nutrition per serving

640kcal
28.0 gCarbohydrates
45.0 gProtein
36.0 gFat

Values are estimates and may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, portion size and preparation method used.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ about Stifado

Small pearl onions or shallots are ideal because they remain whole and braise sweetly.

Beef shoulder or other braised meat goes well. Rabbit is also a classic variation.

The meat is tender by gentle stewing and the onions give the sauce sweetness.

Yes, Stifado often tastes even better the next day. Gently warm up and add a little water if necessary.

Keep cooking

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