These Greek Stuffed Onions (Salantourmasi) are a traditional comfort food from Greek cuisine. Tender onion layers are stuffed with a fragrant mixture of parboiled rice, ground beef, fresh herbs, and aromatics, then baked in a rich tomato sauce until perfectly tender and slightly caramelized. This dish is warming, deeply flavorful, and perfect for sharing with family or enjoying as a hearty main course.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

Main:

• 8 medium yellow onions (oval-shaped if possible)

• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Stuffing:

• ¾ cup short grain or Arborio rice, soaked

• 4 tbsp olive oil

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

• 1 lb lean ground beef

• 1 tomato, grated

• 3 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• ⅓ cup fresh chopped parsley

• ⅓ cup fresh chopped mint

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp chicken stock paste

• ½ tbsp dried oregano

Tomato Sauce:

• 398 ml (approx. 1¾ cups) canned Roma or whole tomatoes, blended

• 1 cup water

• ¼ cup tomato paste

• ¼ cup lemon juice

• 1½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish or two 9-inch baking dishes.

2. Soak the rice in water while prepping the rest.

3. Boil the onions: Trim top and bottom, peel, and cut a slit lengthwise through to the center. Boil for 10–15 minutes until layers separate easily. Let cool.

4. Prepare tomato sauce: Blend tomatoes and mix with other tomato sauce ingredients.

5. Make the filling:

   • Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.

   • Sauté diced onions and garlic for 4–5 minutes.

   • Add ground beef and cook until browned.

   • Stir in grated tomato, tomato paste, drained rice, lemon juice, parsley, mint, salt, pepper, chicken stock paste, and oregano.

   • Simmer for 8–10 minutes to partially cook the rice.

6. Stuff the onions: Separate onion layers and fill each with ~2 tbsp of rice mixture. Roll tightly.

7. Bake:

   • Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.

   • Place stuffed onions snugly into the dish.

   • Pour remaining tomato sauce over them.

   • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

   • Remove foil, baste with sauce, and bake uncovered another 25–30 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.

8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Nutrients (Per Serving – Approximate)

• Calories: 366 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 44.3g

• Protein: 21.8g

• Fat: 12.2g

  • Saturated Fat: 2.6g

• Cholesterol: 45.1mg

• Sodium: 1435.6mg

• Fiber: 4.9g

• Sugar: 11.8g

A Dish Rooted in Greek Heritage

Stuffed vegetables—gemista—are a staple of Greek cuisine, and while tomatoes, peppers, and zucchinis often take center stage, onions hold a special place for those who crave deeper, sweeter flavors. As they cook, onions naturally soften and release their sugars, which mingle beautifully with the tangy tomato sauce and herbaceous filling.

Salantourmasi is more than a meal—it’s a reflection of seasonal living and resourcefulness. In villages where people cooked with what was grown or readily available, onions were reliable and versatile. Their robust texture made them ideal vessels for stuffing, and their mellow flavor paired seamlessly with ground meats, grains, and garden herbs.

Layered Flavors and Smart Preparation

What makes this dish shine is its careful layering of flavor. Each component is thoughtfully prepared to enhance the final outcome. The onions are parboiled, making it easy to separate them into pliable layers without breaking. These layers become delicate wrappers that hold a filling of sautéed garlic, onions, ground beef, and short-grain or Arborio rice, which soaks up the tomato sauce during baking and creates a creamy texture inside.

The rice is parboiled and lightly simmered in a fragrant mixture that includes grated fresh tomato, tomato paste, parsley, mint, and oregano, along with lemon juice for brightness and chicken stock paste for a burst of umami. This mix infuses every bite with the essence of Greek cooking—bold yet balanced, hearty yet fresh.

The Role of Herbs and Spices

Salantourmasi stands out not just for its technique, but for its distinct herbal profile. Fresh parsley and mint play a crucial role, offering a lift to the otherwise rich and savory filling. While parsley adds an earthy freshness, mint brings a cool, unexpected dimension that cuts through the richness of the beef.

Dried oregano, a cornerstone of Greek seasoning, adds familiar Mediterranean depth. These herbs, combined with lemon juice and garlic, transform simple pantry staples into something layered and aromatic.

The Sauce That Ties It All Together

The tomato sauce used for baking is as important as the filling. It is a blend of blended canned tomatoes, tomato paste, lemon juice, and spices, thinned slightly with water. This sauce doesn’t just sit beneath the onions—it seeps into them, flavors the rice, and caramelizes around the edges, forming a thick, glossy finish that makes this dish so comforting.

As it bakes, the sauce reduces and becomes concentrated, while the onions soften and the flavors meld together. The final step—removing the foil to allow the onions to caramelize—gives a gorgeously golden finish that elevates the entire experience.

Comfort Food with Nutritional Benefits

While rich and satisfying, Greek Stuffed Onions also offer a nutrient-dense profile. Onions are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, while the rice provides slow-burning carbohydrates for energy. Lean ground beef contributes quality protein, iron, and B vitamins. The addition of fresh herbs offers a dose of phytonutrients and digestive support, and the tomato sauce is a valuable source of lycopene and vitamin C.

Each serving is filling but balanced, providing a wholesome combination of protein, fiber, and complex carbs. Despite its indulgent feel, Salantourmasi can be part of a healthy Mediterranean-style diet.

Perfect for Entertaining or Family Dinners

Salantourmasi is not a dish you rush. It’s ideal for Sunday meals, holidays, or gatherings where you want to show care through food. Each onion is lovingly stuffed and baked, and the dish is often served directly from the oven to the table, rustic style, with a generous ladle of tomato sauce over the top.

Pair it with crusty bread to soak up the sauce, or a simple Greek salad for a contrast in texture and freshness. A dollop of yogurt or tzatziki on the side adds a creamy, cooling element.

Versatility and Make-Ahead Appeal

One of the best things about this dish is its ability to hold up well as leftovers. In fact, the flavors deepen after a day in the fridge, making it even better the next day. It can be easily reheated and is just as delicious when served at room temperature.

For busy cooks, this dish can be prepared in stages: the onions can be boiled ahead of time and stored in the fridge; the filling can be made the night before; and the entire dish can be assembled and refrigerated until ready to bake.

You can even make it vegetarian by swapping the beef for lentils or finely chopped mushrooms, and using vegetable stock instead of chicken. The rich flavors and meaty texture of the onions will still shine.

Tips for Success

Choose oval-shaped onions, which are easier to fill and provide even layers.

Don’t overcook the onions in the boiling step; they should be pliable, not mushy.

Parboil the rice just enough to start the softening process but not so much that it loses structure in the oven.

Use good-quality canned tomatoes for a naturally sweet, rich sauce.

If you’re short on time, you can layer the filling between sliced onion rounds like a casserole—it won’t be traditional, but the flavors will still be incredible.

Conclusion

Greek Stuffed Onions (Salantourmasi) are a celebration of comfort, tradition, and the magic that happens when simple ingredients are treated with respect and care. This dish combines the sweetness of slow-cooked onions, the richness of spiced ground beef and rice, and the tang of tomato sauce to create a complete and nourishing meal. It’s proof that real flavor doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs a little time, attention, and a love for the process.

Whether you’re introducing your family to a taste of Greece or indulging in your own culinary nostalgia, Salantourmasi brings people together through warmth, depth, and unmistakable homemade comfort.