Hairy Bikers Beef Stifado Slow Cooker Recipe

This Hairy Bikers Beef Stifado Slow Cooker Recipe is a rich and tender Greek stew, which is made with stewing beef and aromatic spices. It’s the perfect family dinner, ready in about 8 to 9 hours.

Hairy Bikers Beef Stifado Slow Cooker Recipe Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 700 g (1.5 lb) Stewing beef, Cubed
• 2 Red onions, Peeled and sliced
• 3 Carrots, Peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 Garlic cloves, Peeled and crushed
• 1 tbsp Mixed spice
• 1 tbsp Dried oregano
• 2 tbsp Tomato puree
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 Beef stock cube, crumbled
• 3 tbsp Red wine vinegar
• 400 g (14.5 oz) Chopped tomatoes
• Plenty of salt and pepper

How To Make Hairy Bikers Beef Stifado in a Slow Cooker

1. Brown the Beef: Pat the cubes of beef dry with a paper towel. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches on all sides, then transfer it to the slow cooker pot.
2. Combine All Ingredients: Add the sliced red onions, chopped carrots, crushed garlic, mixed spice, dried oregano, tomato puree, bay leaves, crumbled beef stock cube, red wine vinegar, and chopped tomatoes to the slow cooker with the browned beef.
3. Season and Stir: Season generously with salt and pepper and give everything a good stir to combine.
4. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the beef is meltingly tender.
5. Serve: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve the hot beef stifado with your favorite side dish.

Recipe Tips

• How do I get the beef perfectly browned? The secret is to pat the beef completely dry with a paper towel before it goes into the hot pan. This helps it sear and develop a rich, brown crust instead of just steaming.
• What is “Mixed Spice”? This is a common British spice blend that gives Stifado its characteristic warm, aromatic flavor. It typically contains cinnamon, coriander seed, nutmeg, cloves, pimento, and ginger. It’s key to the recipe’s unique taste.
• Can I add other vegetables? Yes, this stew is very forgiving. You can add other root vegetables like parsnips or celery along with the carrots. Just be sure to cut them into similar-sized chunks for even cooking.
• Can I use red wine instead of vinegar? While many stews use red wine, the red wine vinegar is traditional in a Greek Stifado and provides a unique tangy flavor that balances the richness of the beef. It’s recommended to stick with the vinegar for an authentic taste.

What To Serve With Beef Stifado

This hearty Greek stew is delicious served with something to soak up the rich sauce.

• Orzo pasta or rice
• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Crusty bread or warm flatbreads
• A simple green salad

How To Store Beef Stifado

• Refrigerate: Allow the stew to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will be even better the next day.
• Freeze: This recipe is perfect for batch cooking. Once cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw thoroughly in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Beef Stifado Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 359 kcal
• Protein: 40g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 505mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Hairy Bikers Beef Stifado Slow Cooker Recipe

Author: Alex Saidani Cooking Method:Slow Cooker Cuisine:Greek Courses:Dinner

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 20 minutesCook time:8 hours Rest time: minutesTotal time:8 hours 20 minutesCooking Temp:100 CServings:4 servingsEstimated Cost:25 $Calories:359 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

A tender and aromatic Greek beef stew, slow-cooked with carrots, onions, and spices in a rich tomato and red wine vinegar sauce.

Ingredients

• 700g (1.5 lb) stewing beef, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 red onions, sliced
• 3 carrots, in chunks
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tbsp mixed spice & 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 beef stock cube
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 400g chopped tomatoes
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Pat beef dry and brown in batches in a hot pan with oil. Transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Add all remaining ingredients: onions, carrots, garlic, spices, tomato puree, bay leaves, stock cube, vinegar, and tomatoes.
3. Season with salt and pepper and stir everything to combine.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours.
5. Remove bay leaves before serving.
6. Serve hot with orzo, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Notes

• Patting the beef dry before browning is key to getting a good sear.
• This recipe freezes very well, making it great for batch cooking.
• The “mixed spice” blend is essential for the authentic Stifado flavor.
• Don’t skip browning the beef; it builds the foundation of the stew’s flavor.