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Instant Pot Greek Beef Stifado

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Instant Pot Greek Beef Stifado is a hearty, spiced stew made with tender chunks of beef, sweet pearl onions, and a rich tomato-red wine sauce, all infused with warm Mediterranean spices. It’s a quick, flavorful twist on a traditional Greek favorite.

  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: Serves 4–6
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Pressure Cooking
  • Cuisine: Greek
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs stewing beef or chuck roast, cut into chunks
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb pearl onions, peeled (or small onions halved)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3–4 whole cloves or 1/4 tsp ground clove
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Set Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat olive oil. Brown beef in batches, searing all sides. Remove and set aside.
  2. Add more oil if needed, then sauté pearl onions until golden. Stir in garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Deglaze with red wine, scraping up browned bits. Add crushed tomatoes, vinegar, bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  4. Return beef to the pot and stir everything together.
  5. Seal the lid, set valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 35 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release.
  6. Open lid, stir gently, and let sit a few minutes to thicken. Optionally, simmer on sauté mode for thicker sauce.
  7. Garnish with parsley and serve hot with bread, orzo, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Notes

  • Swap beef with lamb shoulder for a traditional version.
  • Add raisins or honey for a sweeter twist.
  • Use balsamic vinegar for a deeper flavor profile.
  • If pearl onions aren’t available, use shallots or small onions.
  • Serve over polenta, rice, or pasta as alternatives.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameals.com/instant-pot-greek-beef-stifado/