Stifado – Aromatic Greek-Cypriot Beef Stew

We invite you to prepare Stifado – aromatic Greek-Cypriot beef stew. Stifado is the perfect choice for the autumn-winter season. Moreover, this dish is not complicated to cook.

Ingredients:

  • 50 ml olive oil
  • 500 g beef
  • 250 g shallots
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar (preferably apple cider)
  • A piece of cinnamon stick
  • A few cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Star anise
  • 1 can of tomatoes (approximately 400 g)
  • Parsley
  • About 300 ml water
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Sear the beef: Heat a pan with olive oil. Add diced beef and fry until browned.
  2. Add shallots: Peel the shallots and add them to the beef (you can cut them in half). Sauté everything together until the shallots are golden and slightly caramelized.
  3. Incorporate aromatics: Add minced garlic, vinegar, spices, and tomatoes (canned tomatoes are a great option, especially in the autumn-winter season).
  4. Simmer the stew: Add about 100 ml of water, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 1.5-2 hours. Add more water as needed to ensure the sauce doesn’t become too thick.
  5. Finish cooking: By the end of cooking, the beef should be tender, and the sauce should be rich and slightly thick.

Your Stifado – an aromatic Greek-Cypriot beef stew – is ready! Serve it topped with chopped parsley and alongside pita bread. Alternatively, it pairs wonderfully with rice or French fries. Enjoy!