Stifado or Sti-fa-th-o as its pronounced in Greek is a truly flavorful meat stew. Cooked in red wine along with shallots and plenty of sweet spices.
This traditional beef stew is originally made with rabbit. But since beef is more acceptable to most people, is therefore used mostly instead of rabbit.
Having tried both versions of Stifado, I can tell you that both versions are equally good. Rabbit tastes similar to chicken but more flavorful. While beef gives this stew a more rich, meaty flavor. If you would like to try this stew using rabbit you can follow the recipe as given below. Only one more thing needs to be done: dust the rabbit with flour before putting it in the hot oil to sear.
You can also make this stew with other types of meat like game meat. Such as duck, wild boar, or wild rabbit. There needs to be a lot of wine and spices on these kinds of meat for them to become really tender. Thats why this stew is more than ideal for these types of meat. Theyll probably need some overnight marinating in wine as well though.
To make this Traditional Beef Stew, the only thing that will take some work is peeling the shallots (you could also use pearl onions). But other than this, its very easy to make.
Beef stifado is a classic Greek beef stew loaded with flavor from red wine, tomatoes, and warming spices like cinnamon and cloves. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly weather and feeding a crowd. But a great stew needs an equally tasty side dish to round out the meal. So what should you serve with beef stifado?
As a Mediterranean food blogger, I’ve made my share of stifado. Through trial and error, I’ve landed on some favorite side dishes that perfectly complement this robust Greek stew. Below, I’ll share my recommendations on the best sides to serve with beef stifado to create a satisfying and delicious meal.
An Overview of Beef Stifado
Before jumping into side dish ideas, let’s quickly cover what defines beef stifado. This stew starts with chunks of beef chuck or short ribs that are seasoned and seared for maximum flavor. Next, lots of pearl onions are cooked until softened and sweet. The aromatic foundation is built with tomato paste, garlic, bay leaves, and warming spices like cinnamon, clove, and allspice berries.
Red wine and brandy are used to deglaze the pan allowing all those flavorful browned bits to add richness to the sauce. Canned tomatoes round things out before letting it all simmer away for a couple hours until the beef is fall-apart tender.
The resulting stew is deeply savory, slightly sweet from the pearl onions, and filled with the aroma of cinnamon and red wine It’s wonderful ladled over something starchy to soak up the luscious sauce
The Best Side Dishes for Beef Stifado
When considering side dishes for stifado, you want something that will complement the complex flavors of the stew. Here are some excellent options to serve alongside beef stifado:
Orzo
Orzo pasta is the classic pairing for beef stifado in Greece. The tiny rice-shaped pasta is perfect for absorbing the rich stew sauce. Orzo can be served plain and buttered or prepared pilafi-style, tossed in a bit of tomato sauce. Either way it’s a simple starch that lets the stifado shine.
Rice
Fluffy white rice is another excellent choice for serving with stifado. Because the stew has so much flavor, plain rice is all you need to soak it up. White basmati rice or long-grain rice work well. Serve it steaming hot alongside the stew.
Mashed Potatoes
What’s better on a chilly day than beef stew and mashed potatoes? Creamy mashed potatoes are an ideal complement to soak up the delicious sauce of this Greek beef stew. Use Yukon gold potatoes for the creamiest texture and add butter and warm milk or cream.
Hilopites Pasta
Hilopites are a wide Greek egg noodle that works perfectly with saucy stews like beef stifado. Their substantial texture stands up well to the chunky stew. Hilopites have a mild flavor, so they don’t compete with the stew’s spices. This is a great choice if you want a heartier pasta side.
Greek Oven Fries
For a fun, different take, oven-baked Greek fries are an awesome side for stifado. Crisp, hot fries can soak up all that wonderful sauce just as well as pasta or rice. Toss the fries in olive oil, oregano, and lemon before roasting. Offer feta cheese crumbles for sprinkling over the top.
Crusty Bread
You can never go wrong with crusty bread alongside a stew. I always recommend serving stifado with a basket of crusty whole wheat or country-style bread. The bread allows you to sop up every last drop of sauce. Choose a bread with a sturdy, crunchy crust to contrast the tender stewed beef.
Sauteed Vegetables
Simple sauteed vegetables like green beans, broccoli, or spinach make a healthy, fresh-tasting side for this rich stew. Quick-cooking veggies that you can prep while the stew simmers are a perfect choice. Drizzle them with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs.
Greek Salad
A classic Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese can provide a refreshing counterpoint to the heartiness of stifado. The tang from the dressing and cheese balances out the stew’s warming spices. Chopped romaine lettuce is a sturdy green for this salad.
Tips for Serving Beef Stifado
Once you’ve chosen your side dishes, keep these serving tips in mind:
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Make extra! Beef stifado is even better as leftovers so plan for extra portions.
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Add a Greek red wine like Agiorgitiko or Xinomavro to complement the stew.
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Offer crusty bread, lemon wedges, and a Greek olive oil for drizzling.
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Garnish with chopped parsley or mint for a pop of color.
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Let the stew sit for 10-15 minutes before serving so the flavors marry.
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Add a simple Greek-inspired dessert like baklava or galaktoboureko.
With its complex flavors and sauce, beef stifado is a stew that commands your attention. Choosing simple, complementary side dishes allows the star of the meal to shine. I hope these suggestions give you ideas for your next beef stifado dinner! Let the aroma of cinnamon and red wine fill your kitchen soon.
How To Make Stifado
I browned the meat all over in olive oil, then added a lot of semi-sweet red wine and water to cover it. I added some spices and let it cook on low for about two hours with the lid on.
Next, cook the onions in olive oil in a different pan until they turn golden. Then, add the double-concentrated tomato paste and stir it in. Cook for two more minutes to make the paste less sour. Finally, add a splash of water to help scrape the pan clean, and then add everything to the pot with the meat. Cook for 45-50 minutes more until onions get really soft and the sauce is lightly thickened.
What To Serve With Beef Stifado
Beef Stifado goes well with either buttery or creamy mashed potatoes. For a twist, try this recipe for Greek yogurt mashed potatoes. You can also serve it plainly with rice. If you have extra time, though, I really think you should serve this stew with a crispy Greek cheese pie, like these quick Tiropita rolls or this Snail-Shaped Cheese Pie. This way youll create the perfect crispy contrast to this mellow, melt-in-your-mouth beef stew!.
Greek-Style Beef Stew – How to Make an Amazing “Stifado” – Food Wishes
FAQ
What does stifado mean in Greek?
What kind of bread do you serve with beef stew?
What to serve with stifado?
Warm it up gently and enjoy it with the side dish of your choice. The classic combination for stifado is orzo, which is served plain or simmered in a light tomato sauce. You can also serve it over thick Greek egg noodles (hilopites), fluffy rice, mashed potatoes, or even Greek oven fries.
What to eat with beef stifado?
If you love Mediterranean cuisine, it’s a brilliant side dish to have in your personal recipe collection. It’s perfect with beef stifado, though it’s also delicious when served with a wide variety of grilled meats and fish. I like to make an extra portion and use it up the next day with some grilled prawns and a Greek salad.
How to cook beef stifado?
Pour the meat along with its juices to the saucepan, add the tomato paste and sauté. Add the chopped tomatoes, bay leaf, allspice berries, nutmeg and a bit of water until the meat is covered. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down and simmer the beef stifado with a lid on for 1 1/2 hours or until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
What is the best beef stifado?
The best option for this Greek beef stifado recipe would be chuck (chuck steak), which comes from the upper arm and shoulder of the cow. It contains a lot of collagen and becomes juicier and the longer you cook it.