Beef Giouvetsi is a comforting and hearty Greek dish, featuring tender braised beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, served with orzo pasta. The slow cooking process transforms the beef into a melt-in-your-mouth delight, while the orzo absorbs the savory sauce, making every bite a burst of flavor. This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or when you want to impress guests with a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon allspice

• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes

• 1/4 cup red wine (optional)

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 2 cups orzo pasta

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides, then remove and set aside.

2. In the same pot, add the diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the oregano, thyme, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute to toast the spices.

4. Add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, red wine (if using), and tomato paste, stirring to combine. Return the beef to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2-2.5 hours, or until the beef is tender.

5. Once the beef is done, stir in the orzo and cook until the orzo is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, about 10-12 minutes.

6. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 450

• Fat: 18g

• Carbohydrates: 40g

• Protein: 30g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sodium: 700mg

Why Choose Beef Giouvetsi?

Beef Giouvetsi is a fantastic meal for several reasons. First, it’s the perfect balance of meat and pasta. The braised beef is tender and juicy, having absorbed all the delicious flavors of the broth and spices during the long simmer. The orzo pasta soaks up the sauce, making each bite flavorful and filling.

This dish is not only comforting but also relatively easy to prepare, especially for a dish that delivers such depth of flavor. While it requires some time to simmer, the process is mostly hands-off, giving you time to prepare other parts of the meal or simply relax. The result is a dish that feels like a labor of love, but the work is minimal.

Another great reason to make Beef Giouvetsi is the versatility of the recipe. You can easily adjust the seasonings to suit your personal tastes, and the dish can be enjoyed by both adults and children alike. The tender beef and savory sauce are universally loved, making this meal a perfect choice for a family dinner or a dinner party.

Key Ingredients and Flavor Profile

The beauty of Beef Giouvetsi lies in the simplicity of its ingredients, which come together to create a deliciously complex flavor profile. Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients:

• Beef Chuck Roast: The cut of beef used in this dish is crucial to its success. Beef chuck roast is well-marbled and tenderizes beautifully during the long simmering process. This cut of meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, which is exactly what you want for a dish like Beef Giouvetsi.

• Herbs and Spices: A combination of oregano, thyme, cinnamon, and allspice gives the dish its aromatic, slightly warm, and earthy flavor. The cinnamon and allspice may seem unconventional for a savory dish, but they give Beef Giouvetsi its unique depth and warmth. The oregano and thyme add that signature Mediterranean aroma, while the black pepper and salt balance the overall flavor.

• Tomatoes: The base of the sauce comes from diced tomatoes and tomato paste, which create a rich and tangy tomato sauce that pairs perfectly with the beef. The addition of beef broth further deepens the sauce’s flavor, making it savory and comforting.

• Orzo Pasta: Orzo is a small pasta that resembles rice, and it is perfect for absorbing the flavorful sauce. It adds texture to the dish while also helping to soak up the juices from the beef and tomato sauce, making every bite rich and satisfying.

• Red Wine (optional): While not essential, the red wine adds an extra layer of richness and complexity to the sauce. It enhances the beef flavor and makes the dish even more decadent. If you prefer not to use wine, you can easily leave it out and still enjoy a fantastic dish.

Slow Cooking for Tender Beef

The key to the melt-in-your-mouth beef in Beef Giouvetsi is the slow cooking process. After browning the beef cubes, the beef is simmered in the flavorful tomato sauce for 2 to 2.5 hours. This extended cooking time allows the beef to become tender, while the spices and tomato sauce infuse the meat with rich, aromatic flavors. As the beef cooks, it releases its juices into the sauce, creating a deliciously savory broth.

The long simmer also allows the flavors to meld together, so each bite of beef is deeply seasoned and flavorful. The meat becomes so tender that it practically falls apart, making it a perfect match for the soft, slightly chewy orzo pasta.

Cooking the Orzo

Once the beef is fully cooked and tender, the orzo is added to the pot. The orzo absorbs all of the rich, savory sauce, becoming a part of the meal rather than just a side dish. It cooks directly in the beef broth and tomato sauce, so it becomes infused with the same bold flavors as the beef. In about 10-12 minutes, the orzo will be tender and the liquid will be absorbed, completing the dish.

The orzo adds the perfect amount of texture and helps balance the richness of the beef and the sauce. It also makes the dish more substantial, making it a full meal in one pot.

Serving and Garnishing Beef Giouvetsi

Once the Beef Giouvetsi is ready, it’s time to serve. The dish is typically garnished with fresh parsley, which adds a pop of color and a refreshing herbal note that contrasts with the rich, hearty flavors of the beef and sauce.

Serve it hot, and enjoy it with a side of crusty bread or a light salad to balance the richness of the dish. The bread is great for dipping into the flavorful sauce and making the most of every last bit of goodness in the pot.

Nutritional Profile of Beef Giouvetsi

Beef Giouvetsi is a well-rounded dish that provides a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Each serving contains about 450 calories, with 30 grams of protein to help keep you full. The 18 grams of fat come from the beef and olive oil, which adds richness to the dish, while the 40 grams of carbohydrates come primarily from the orzo pasta. It also provides 3 grams of fiber, which adds some nutritional value.

While this dish is hearty and comforting, it’s also packed with flavor, so a little goes a long way in satisfying your hunger. The sodium content is about 700mg per serving, so it’s important to be mindful of your sodium intake, especially if you’re serving it with salty sides like bread or olives.

Customizing Beef Giouvetsi

This recipe is quite versatile, and you can adjust it to suit your preferences:

• Vegetables: You can add more vegetables to the dish, such as bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms, for added texture and flavor.

• Spice Level: If you like a little heat, you can add some crushed red pepper flakes or a diced chili to the sauce to give it a spicy kick.

• Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use red wine, you can substitute it with an additional cup of beef broth or use balsamic vinegar for a rich, tangy alternative.

• Gluten-Free Option: For a gluten-free version, simply replace the orzo pasta with a gluten-free pasta or rice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Beef Giouvetsi is the ultimate comfort food, with tender braised beef, a rich tomato sauce, and orzo pasta that absorbs all the savory flavors. This Mediterranean-inspired dish is easy to make and perfect for a cozy family dinner or impressing guests with something special. The slow cooking process results in melt-in-your-mouth beef that’s complemented by a flavorful sauce, and the orzo adds the perfect finishing touch. Whether you stick with the traditional recipe or customize it to your tastes, Beef Giouvetsi will quickly become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.