Name: Hairy Bikers Beef Stifado Slow Cooker Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 20 min
Ingredients: 700g stewing beef, cubed; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 red onions, sliced; 3 carrots, cut into chunks; 3 garlic cloves, 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; 400g chopped tomatoes; Salt and pepper to taste

This Hairy Bikers beef stifado slow cooker recipe is a Greek-style stew made with stewing beef, red onions, tomatoes and warm spices. The slow cooker does all the work, giving you tender, fall-apart beef in a rich sauce. It serves 4 and takes about 8 hours on low.

I love making this on a Sunday morning and coming back to a kitchen that smells incredible. It is one of those recipes that gets better the longer it sits, so leftovers are always welcome.

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Beef Stifado Slow Cooker Recipe Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
700g 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
400g chopped tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste

Hairy Bikers Beef Stifado Slow Cooker Recipe

How To Make Beef Stifado in a Slow Cooker

Brown the beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with kitchen paper. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat and brown the beef in batches. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Add the vegetables and spices: Place the sliced red onions, carrot chunks, crushed garlic, mixed spice, dried oregano, tomato puree, bay leaves, crumbled stock cube, red wine vinegar and chopped tomatoes into the slow cooker.
Season and stir: Add a generous amount of salt and pepper, then give everything a good stir to combine.
Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours, or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the beef is completely tender.
Finish and serve: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Ladle into warm bowls with your chosen side.

What Is the Secret to Perfect Beef Stifado?

Dry the beef before browning: Pat each piece with kitchen paper so it sears properly. Wet beef steams instead of browning, and you lose that rich crust.
Do not skip the browning step: It only takes a few minutes but builds a deep flavour base. If you enjoy slow cooker beef dishes, try the Hairy Bikers beef bourguignon slow cooker recipe which uses the same technique.
Use mixed spice for warmth: This British blend contains cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. It gives the stifado its warm, spiced character without needing whole spices.
Add extra vegetables if you like: Root vegetables such as parsnips or celery work well. Cut them into similar-sized chunks so they cook evenly.

What Should You Serve on the Side?

This rich stew pairs best with something to soak up the sauce. Orzo pasta is the traditional Greek choice and works perfectly. Plain rice or creamy mashed potatoes are also great options for a filling meal.

For something lighter, serve it with crusty bread or warm flatbreads and a simple green salad on the side. If you enjoy hearty beef stews, the Hairy Bikers beef stew and dumplings recipe is another family favourite worth trying.

Does This Keep Well?

Let the stew cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days and honestly tastes even better the next day as the flavours develop further.

This recipe is great for batch cooking. Once cooled, pour it into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw fully in the fridge overnight before reheating on the hob or in the microwave until piping hot.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 359 kcal
Protein: 40g
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fat: 16g
Dietary Fibre: 3g
Sodium: 505mg

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of beef is best for stifado in a slow cooker? Chuck steak or braising steak works best because the connective tissue breaks down during the long cook, making the meat very tender. Avoid lean cuts as they can dry out.

How does the Hairy Bikers beef stifado compare to Jamie Oliver’s version? The Hairy Bikers version uses mixed spice and red wine vinegar for a simpler slow cooker method. Jamie Oliver’s recipe calls for a red wine marinade and overnight resting, which suits an oven cook.

Can I make beef stifado in the oven instead? Yes. Brown the beef in an ovenproof casserole dish, add all the ingredients with an extra tin of chopped tomatoes, then cover and cook at 160C fan for 2 to 3 hours until tender.

What is the difference between stifado and a regular beef stew? Stifado is a Greek dish that uses warm spices like cinnamon, cloves and allspice along with red wine vinegar. A British beef stew typically relies on root vegetables and stock without those spices.

What other slow cooker recipes are similar to this one? If you enjoy this style of slow-cooked beef, try the Hairy Bikers slow cooker goulash or browse the full collection of slow cooker recipes for more ideas.