Traditional Greek Recipes: Beef Stifado

·

By Georgene Dilernia

Juicy and tender beef stifado is addictive once you’ve had it, as everyone gets obsessed once they’ve tried the intense flavours of the stew. Beef stifado is perfect to serve with hilopites or patates tiganites (chips). 

This recipe is guaranteed to be loved by anyone you cook it for, as the pleasant taste will satisfy anyone’s appetite! 

Take a look below to see how to cook the delicious recipe and impress your guests.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 kg good-quality stewing beef, cut into portions 
  • 1.5 kg pearl onions, peeled 
  • 1/4 of a cup olive oil
  • 3/4 of a cup red wine
  • 3 tbsps. red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 of a cup cognac
  • 1 large, juicy ripe tomato, roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp tomato pure
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3–4 allspice berries
  • A pinch nutmeg
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

METHOD

  1. To prepare this delicious Greek beef stifado recipe, heat the oil in a saucepan, add the meat (in batches) and sauté, until browned on all sides. Do not add all the meat in the saucepan, rather sauté in batches, so that the temperature of the oil remains high and the meat is sealed. When done, remove with a slotted spoon, place on a platter, cover and set aside.
  2. Carve the baby shallot onions crosswise, add in the same oil used to browned the meat, turn down to medium heat and sauté until the onions have softened, but not browned (about 10 minutes).
  3. Pour in the cognac, the wine and red wine vinegar, cover and let it simmer for 3 minutes.
  4. Pour the meat along with its juices to the saucepan, add the chopped tomato, tomato puree, bay leaf, allspice berries and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down and simmer the beef stifado for 1½  hours or until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened. While the beef stifado is simmering, check if it needs some water; you don’t want it to dry out. If it does, pour in half a cup of boiled water and stir. Towards the end of cooking time season well with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve beef stifado with pasta and grated cheese, or boiled new potatoes.

Kali Oreksi!

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Hellenic spirit shines at the opening of the Odyssey Greek Festival 2025

The opening night of the 2025 Odyssey Greek Festival was a vibrant celebration of culture, memory, and community

Areti Ketime brings the spirit of rebetiko to Melbourne for the Zeibekiko Festival

The Zeibekiko Festival has returned for its third year this month with a lively Rebetika performance in Melbourne by singer Areti Ketime. 

Literary memorial in Sydney honours the legacy of esteemed scholar Dr George Kanarakis

A literary memorial in honour of Greek academic and internationally renowned linguist of Australia, Dr George Kanarakis, was held on Tuesday.

Memorial service to be held in Sydney to honour the life of Chris Felemegas

A memorial service will be held in Sydney on Sunday, October 12, to honour the life of Chris Felemegas, a figure remembered for his warmth.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos meets Archbishop Makarios in Sydney

Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Hellenism Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia on Tuesday.

You May Also Like

Christmas message by Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou

Αγαπητοί μου συμπατριώτες, Με ιδιαίτερη χαρά απευθύνομαι, ενόψει των Χριστουγέννων και του νέου έτους, σε όλους εσάς, τους ομογενείς μας, τους απανταχού Έλληνες. Όλους εσάς...

Australian chain Lukumades makes US debut

Melbourne-based doughnut and coffee chain Lukumades has opened its first US outlet in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. 

PAOK fans clash with police after breaking lockdown rules for anniversary celebrations

Riot police used tear gas to disperse PAOK Thessaloniki supporters who had gathered to celebrate the club's 94th birthday despite the coronavirus lockdown.