Greek Beef Stifado Made in the Instant Pot

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef stew meat (cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 3–4 large onions, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (optional, for extra body)
• 1 cup red wine (or extra broth if you prefer)
• 1/2 cup beef broth (adjust liquid as needed)
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary or thyme (or 1 tsp dried oregano)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1–2 teaspoons sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

Instructions

1. Sear the Beef:
   • Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function and add olive oil.
   • Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper.
   • Brown the beef in batches until all sides are well-seared. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics:
   • In the same pot, add the sliced onions. Sauté until they begin to soften and develop some color (about 5–7 minutes).
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
   • Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for about 2 minutes to deepen its flavor.
3. Deglaze:
   • Pour in the red wine (or a bit of beef broth) to deglaze the pot. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom – they add great flavor.
4. Assemble the Stew:
   • Return the browned beef to the pot.
   • Add the diced tomatoes (if using), beef broth, and red wine vinegar.
   • Toss in the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and your chosen herb (rosemary/thyme or oregano).
5. Pressure Cook:
   • Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to Sealing.
   • Select Pressure Cook/Manual on High and set the timer for 35–40 minutes.
   • Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes, then perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.
6. Finish and Serve:
   • Open the lid and remove the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves.
   • Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a bit of sugar if it’s too tangy.
   • Serve hot alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or with a slice of crusty bread.

Enjoy your rich, aromatic Greek Beef Stifado made effortlessly in the Instant Pot!