My default setting is to always try to make a recipe I'm sharing easier, and more approachable. So, when I started filming this amazing Greek beef stew, I was very tempted to simplify the procedure by using chopped shallots instead of whole ones, which how they're traditionally done. I'm so glad I didn't, since I would have missed out on one of the best parts of the whole "stifado" experience.
One reason I kept them whole was that every single "authentic" recipe I examined insisted on it, but also, I wasn't sure if I'd ever had a whole, stewed shallot. Was that even possible after all these years of eating everything, and anything? I decided it was, and so I added this slightly tedious step to what is an otherwise very simple dish, and have zero regrets.
I believe the payoff was well worth the extra 10 minutes of work, and while I won't hold it against you if you simply peel and dice, I'm hoping the fact that I spent this entire post talking about the shallots helps convince you to go whole. Above and beyond that important executive decision, this simple dish is truly phenomenal, and like I said in the video, probably the best beef stew you've maybe never had, which is why I really do hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!
Ingredients
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3 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
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2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
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1 tablespoon kosher salt
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4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
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1 pound small shallots
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½ cup diced onion
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 pinch kosher salt
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3 tablespoons tomato paste
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¼ cup red wine vinegar
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1 cup white wine
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2 teaspoons white sugar
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¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
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⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
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1 pinch ground cloves
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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2 large bay leaves
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2 sprigs fresh rosemary
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2 cups beef broth, or more as needed
Directions
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Gather all ingredients.
![ingredients to make Greek-Style Beef Stew (Stifado) Recipe.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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Place beef in a bowl and season generously with pepper and kosher salt. Cover and transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use; up to 1 day is fine.
![Cubes of beef, seasoned with salt and pepper, in a white bowl.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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Leaving the root ends in place, cut off the shallot tops. Remove and discard skins.
![Whole shallots, freshly skinned on a wood cutting board with a chef's knife.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add ½ of the beef and cook until nicely seared, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and repeat to sear remaining beef.
![Cubes of seared beef cooking in an enameled cast iron skillet.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD. -
Turn off the heat and add 1 tablespoon oil to the empty skillet. Add shallots and let the skillet cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the heat back on to medium and toss shallots until browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove shallots to a plate.
![Peeled shallots cooking in an enameled cast iron skillet.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet with onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt; cook and stir for about 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook until toasted, about 2 minutes.
![Onion, garlic, and tomato paste cooking in a enameled cast iron skillet.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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Add red wine vinegar and white wine and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Increase heat to medium-high and add sugar, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, oregano, bay leaves, and rosemary sprigs. Stir to combine and cook until reduced by about half, 2 to 3 minutes.
![Red wine vinegar, white wine, and bay leaf added to skillet with browned garlic and onions.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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Add browned beef and shallots to the skillet and toss carefully until coated. Pour in 2 cups beef broth and bring to a simmer.
![Beef broth added to pot with cooked shallots.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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Reduce heat to low or medium-low. Cover and cook at a gentle simmer for 1 hour, then uncover and cook for at least 1 more hour, stirring occasionally to move the beef and shallots around. Add more broth if needed during the cooking time and skim off some fat if preferred.
![Cubed beef and shallots in pot.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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The meat is done when a fork slides in easily, but the meat isn't falling apart on its own; it may take longer than 2 hours.
![Greek-Style Beef Stew (Stifado) in a pot.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.
![A person testing the donenees of the beef in pot.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
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Serve and enjoy!
![Greek-Style Beef Stew (Stifado) Recipe served in a while bowl.]()
ALLRECIPES / KAREN HIBBARD
Chef's Notes
Try serving this on top of my Greek Spinach Rice!
If you're having difficulty peeling the shallots, you can just cut off both ends, peel, and chop them instead of leaving them whole. If you don't feel like browning the shallots, it's okay to skip Step 4. And finally, if you want to use frozen pearl onions instead of shallots, you can, but it will not have the same taste.
You can use rosé wine instead of white, and chicken broth or water instead of beef broth.
A stew always tastes better the next day, so if you don't want to serve it immediately, just refrigerate it overnight and reheat it before serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 777 | Calories |
| 55g | Fat |
| 20g | Carbs |
| 42g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 6 | |
| Calories 777 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 55g | 71% |
| Saturated Fat 20g | 99% |
| Cholesterol 163mg | 54% |
| Sodium 1519mg | 66% |
| Total Carbohydrate 20g | 7% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 6% |
| Protein 42g | 85% |
| Potassium 1073mg | 23% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
