Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (2024)

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By Sarah Rossi

on Sep 21, 2015, Updated Oct 16, 2023

4.71 from 145 votes

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A delicious Greek style stew, this Beef Stifado is so satisfying, in summer or winter. It’s a taste of sunshine and holidays, packed with vegetables and a rich flavourful sauce.

Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (2)

A number of years ago, we spent a blissful week with friends in Cyprus. Now, I have to say, it was a first holiday with children so it was, how shall we say, a learning curve?

I had a pair of fearless toddlers who had learned to walk that week and they planned on leaping into the swimming pool at any given moment. But my resounding memory of that week is laughs with friends and some seriously memorable food.

Perfectly light and delicate pastries, rich, deep tomato sauces and meltingly soft meats. This recipe for Beef Stifado will forever take me back to that trip.

Whether you’re making this and eating this in the depths

You’ll love this recipe because:

✅ An easy stew that’s a little bit different

✅ Packed with flavour

✅ Great to fill the freezer

Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (3)

FAQs about this Beef Stifado Slow Cooker Recipe

What shall I serve with this dish?

I like to serve this with some cooked orzo pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. If you don’t have time (or energy for those) crusty bread or flatbreads are delicious too.

Would any other vegetables work in this dish?

Yes, you could try adding any root veg of your choice. Be sure to cut them small enough that they cook in the slow cooker.

Is this OK to use as leftovers?

Yes! In fact, these flavours actually get better with time. The stew will keep in the fridge for 3 days or 3 months in the freezer.

Is this an authentic Greek recipe?

This is a Greek style recipe, with flavours I’ve loved from my trips there. Traditional Stifado includes small, cooked, peeled onions. (You can read more about it here on MyGreekDish.) I unfortunately couldn’t find any when making this recipe, so I’ve substituted red onions, which also have a lovely sweet flavour.

Can you recommend a slow cooker?

The one I love (which can be used on the hob too) is the Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Slow Cooker as it’s really light.

If you have an induction hob, I would recommend the Lakeland Digital 6.5l Slow Cooker.

Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (4)

Fancy more meaty Slow Cooker recipes?

  • Slow Cooker Lamb Curry – a weekend favourite
  • Easy Lamb Koftas with Tzatziki – Sharing plate winner
  • Lamb Shoulder with Mint Glaze – Sunday slow cooker special

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.

I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make thisrecipe. Please rate the recipe using the⭐️ by the recipe. Also, if you’d like to show me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins) I LOVE to see your creations.

Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (5)

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4.71 from 145 votes

Beef Stifado

By Sarah Rossi

This simple slow cooked Beef Stifado is a perfect winter warming family meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp of Olive Oil
  • 700 g Stewing beef, In cubes
  • 2 Red onions, Peeled and sliced
  • 3 Carrots, Peeled and cut into chunks
  • 3 Cloves garlic, Peeled and crushed
  • 1 tbsp Mixed Spice
  • 1 tbsp Dried Oregano
  • 2 tbsp Tomato puree
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 Beef stock cube, Or 'stock pot' NO NEED TO ADD WATER
  • 3 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 400 g Chopped tomatoes, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IF OVEN COOKING
  • Plenty of salt and pepper

Instructions

Slow cooker instructions:

  • Heat the oil over a medium heat on the hob. Pan fry the beef in batches until browned all over. (Top tip, pat the beef dry first with kitchen paper, it will make it brown more easily.) If your slow cooker pan allows, you can do this straight into the pan, if not, use a frying pan and transfer to the slow cooker pan as it's browned.

  • Add in all of the other ingredients. Put the lid on.

  • Cook for HIGH 5 - 6 hours or LOW 8 - 9 hours.

Regular oven instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 160C.

  • Heat the oil over a medium heat on the hob, in an oven proof casserole or saucepan with a lid. Pan fry the beef in batches until browned all over. (Top tip, pat the beef dry first with kitchen paper, it will make it brown more easily.)

  • Add in all of the other ingredients. NOTE: You will need to add an ADDITIONAL can of tomatoes if cooking in the oven. So TWO 400g cans.

  • Put the lid on.

  • Put in the oven for 2 hours (or 3 will be even better) until the meat is tender and soft. Check it half way and add a little water if the sauce is drying out.

Nutrition

Calories: 359kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 40gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 505mgPotassium: 952mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 187IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Family Food

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Categorized as:
Batch Cook, Beef, Diced Beef Recipes, Freezer Friendly, Main Courses, Recipes, Slow Cooker, Slow Cooker Beef, Winter Warmers

Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (6)

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23 Comments

  1. Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (12)
    No time for browning, chucked it all in and left on for 9 hours. Served with a loaf of crusty bread- devoured by all!

    Reply

  2. Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (13)
    Delicious, another winner with the family. Absolutely love your recipes!! Thank you

    Reply

  3. Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (14)
    Didn’t quite have all the ingredients but substituted some and it was delicious 😍

    Reply

  4. Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (15)
    This was lush
    Just chucked it in didn’t even brown the beef
    Turned out great

    Reply

  5. Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (16)
    The family absolutely loved it, so easy to make, thankyou

    Reply

  6. Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (17)
    This is absolutely delicious and so easy to make! It’s a definite hit with all the family. Thank you so much for another fantastic recipe 😘

    Reply

  7. This was lovely but after 4 hours on high it was starting to burn and I needed to add water. Did I do something wrong?

    Reply

    1. Hi Liz, which slow cooker is it? Some are hotter than others I think!

      Reply

  8. Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (18)
    Made this tonight, absolutely delicious, more slow cooker recipes please xx

    Reply

Beef Stifado {Slow Cooked Recipe} (2024)

FAQs

What is a stifado? ›

Stifado is a slow-cooked Greek stew made with beef and small onions, cooked together in a tomato sauce. This family favourite can simmer for hours, until the sauce has thickened considerably and the succulent meaty morsels fall apart in your mouth.

How many calories are in beef stifado? ›

One-pot beef stifado
NutrientUnit
kcal345
fat16g
saturates5g
carbs9g
4 more rows

Is beef stifado gluten free? ›

Beef Stifado (Traditonal Greek Stew) Grain/Gluten Free.

What wine goes with beef stifado? ›

On the other hand, Xinomavro, often compared to Italy's Nebbiolo, is a more tannic and robust red wine. It's an excellent match for beef "stifado," a hearty stew made with slow-cooked beef, pearl onions, and a rich tomato sauce.

What is beef stifado made of? ›

Stifado, pronounced stiff-ah-do, is a hearty Greek beef stew seasoned with warming spices, red wine, and loads of pearl onions. This stew, which is typically served as a Sunday family dinner on colder fall and winter days, is one of the many traditional Greek comfort food recipes.

Why is beef stew so high in calories? ›

The essential ingredients for stew -- meat, vegetables and broth -- are healthy stuff. The problem is that traditional recipes call for massive portions of fatty meats paired with super-salty canned broths. Don't be turned off by recipes that use wine; a large portion of the alcohol and calories cook away.

How many carbs are in beef stifado? ›

Marks & Spencer Taste Greece Beef Stifado (1 serving) contains 5.3g total carbs, 3.9g net carbs, 2.5g fat, 12g protein, and 88 calories.

Why is beef not gluten free? ›

Yes, meat is naturally gluten-free.

Plain, fresh cuts of meat, including beef, poultry (chicken, turkey, etc), rabbit, lamb and fish/seafood meat, are all gluten-free. However, be careful with breaded or floured meats, which typically contain wheat and therefore gluten.

Does Greek gyro meat have gluten? ›

Gyro meat is generally considered to be gluten-free. This is because the heart itself does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients. However, it is essential to check the labels of any sauces or toppings added to the gyro meat, as some may contain gluten.

What is cow gluten? ›

Bovine Gelatin is a protein-based gelling agent. It is produced by partial hydrolysis of collagen, a protein material extracted from animal tissue such as skin and bone. The Gelatin molecule is made up of Amino Acids joined together by Amide Linkages in a long molecular chain.

What is the history of Greek stifado? ›

Stifatho (στιφάδο)—sometimes spelled stifado—is a Greek stew dish. The word comes from "stufado," a dish brought to Greece by the Venetians in the 13th century after the fall of Constantinople and before the Ottoman invasion. It's the Greek version of comfort food—warm, filling, and satisfying.

What is the difference between Kokkinisto and stifado? ›

From a casserole of “meat in tomato sauce”, you can create many Greek dishes. The starting point is Kokkinisto, if we add onions we get Stifado, add pasta and we have Giouvetsi.

Why is it called Irish stew? ›

One theory about the dish's origins is that it was originally made with goat meat, which was readily available in Ireland at the time. However, as the popularity of the dish spread, it evolved to include lamb or mutton, which was more commonly consumed by the wealthy.

References

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