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Beef Giouvetsi braised beef and orzo

Beef Giouvetsi (Braised Beef and Orzo)

Classic Greek stew where beef is slowly braised until falling apart tender in a tomato sauce with warming spices before adding orzo pasta. Perfect comfort food for cold winter days.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lb beef such as chuck or lamb, cut into bite sized cubes
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 carrot shredded (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup red wine or beef broth
  • 3 cups beef broth or chicken broth, or vegetable broth
  • 1 14.5 oz can tomatoes crushed with hands
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 1 cup orzo pasta gluten-free for gluten-free

Equipment

  • Large oven safe pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Slow cooker (optional)

Method
 

  1. Heat the oil in a large oven safe pan over medium-high heat, add the beef seasoned with salt and pepper, and brown well, about 2-4 minutes per side, before setting aside.
  2. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the carrot and cook for a minute.
  4. Add the garlic and tomato paste, mix and cook for a minute.
  5. Add the wine and deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon as the wine sizzles.
  6. Add the broth, tomatoes, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, bay leaves, and beef. Mix well.
  7. Choose your cooking method: (1) bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered until beef is falling apart tender, about 2-4 hours; OR (2) cover, transfer to preheated 275°F oven and bake until tender, about 2-4 hours; OR (3) transfer to slow cooker and cook on LOW 8-10 hours or HIGH 4-6 hours.
  8. Mix in the orzo and continue cooking: (1) bring to a boil and cook until orzo is tender, about 10 minutes; OR (2) cover, return to oven and cook until orzo is cooked, about 10-15 minutes; OR (3) cook on HIGH covered until orzo is cooked, about 10-15 minutes.
  9. Remove the bay leaves and enjoy.
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Notes

Can use lamb instead of beef. Can be made on stovetop, in oven, or in slow cooker. Often baked in casserole dish. Can use gluten-free orzo. Brown beef well for flavor. Deglaze pan with wine. Cook beef until falling apart tender. Crush tomatoes with hands for best texture.
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