A rich and hearty Greek beef stew made with slow-cooked beef, caramelized pearl onions, and warm spices like cinnamon and bay leaves. The flavors develop beautifully over time, making it even better the next day.
Author:Touria Elkoudssi
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:2 hours
Total Time:2 hours 15 minutes
Yield:6-8 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Stovetop (or Slow Cooker)
Cuisine:Greek
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
UnitsScale
2lbs beef chuck or stew meat, cut into chunks
2 tbsp olive oil
1lb pearl onions, peeled
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 tbsp red wine vinegar (or 1/2 cup red wine)
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1cup beef broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp honey (optional, for balance)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Brown the Beef – Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Onions – In the same pot, add pearl onions and cook until golden. Stir in the garlic, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, oregano, allspice, and cloves.
Deglaze and Simmer – Pour in the red wine (or vinegar) and let it simmer for a minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Return the beef to the pot.
Slow Cook – Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens.
Serve and Enjoy – Remove bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Serve over mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread.
Notes
If you can’t find pearl onions, use shallots or quartered regular onions.
A touch of honey balances the acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar.
The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor becomes.