{"id":"recipe_805b77b4e1","slug":"youvetsi-greek-beef-stew-with-orzo","title":"Youvetsi (Greek Beef Stew with Orzo)","description":"A traditional Greek comfort dish featuring succulent beef slow-cooked in a rich tomato and spice-scented sauce, then baked to perfection with orzo pasta and topped with salty cheese.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":90,"totalMinutes":110,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1kg beef chuck, cut into 3cm cubes","name":"Beef Chuck","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"cubed","notes":"chuck or shank works best","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"60ml olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"extra virgin","group":"Sauté","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 medium onions, finely chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"red or yellow","group":"Sauté","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 cloves garlic, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Sauté","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tbsp tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"paste","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"400g canned chopped tomatoes","name":"Canned Tomatoes","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"chopped","notes":"can also use fresh grated tomatoes","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"120ml red wine","name":"Red Wine","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"dry","notes":"Agiorgitiko or similar dry red","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 cinnamon stick","name":"Cinnamon Stick","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"stick","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"3-4 allspice berries","name":"Allspice Berries","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1.2L beef broth","name":"Beef broth","quantity":1.2,"unit":"l","usQuantity":1.2,"usUnit":"qt","form":"liquid","notes":"hot","group":"Liquid","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"500g orzo pasta (manestra)","name":"Pasta","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"dry","notes":"medium size","group":"Pasta","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"100g Kefalotyri cheese, grated","name":"Kefalotyri cheese","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"grated","notes":"can substitute with Pecorino Romano or Parmesan","group":"Topping","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat the beef cubes dry and sear them in batches until browned on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.","group":"Stovetop Prep","title":"Heat the olive oil","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Stovetop Prep"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In the same pot, add the chopped onions and sauté for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and tomato paste, stirring for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw paste flavor.","group":"Stovetop Prep","title":"Add the chopped onions and sauté","timerMinutes":7,"sourceTitle":"Stovetop Prep"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping the brown bits from the bottom. Add the canned tomatoes, cinnamon stick, allspice, and return the beef to the pot. Add enough water or a portion of the beef broth to just cover the meat. Cover and simmer on low heat for 60-70 minutes until the meat is tender.","group":"Braising","title":"Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping the brown bits from the bottom","timerMinutes":70,"sourceTitle":"Braising"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Transfer the meat and sauce to a large baking dish or clay pot. Stir in the raw orzo and the remaining hot beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.","group":"Baking","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the orzo has absorbed most of the liquid and is tender. Remove from oven, sprinkle generously with grated cheese, and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"Using a clay pot (gastra) is the traditional way to bake Youvetsi, but any heavy Dutch oven or deep baking dish will work perfectly. Always toast the orzo briefly in the sauce or oil before adding liquid to prevent it from becoming mushy.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["bake","braise","saute","sear"],"equipment":["Dutch oven","Baking dish","Grater"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":6,"unit":"servings","note":"A hearty main course"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The beef stew base can be made 1 day in advance. Add the orzo and broth and bake fresh just before serving to maintain the best pasta texture."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftovers in an airtight container. Note that orzo will continue to absorb sauce and may become thicker upon reheating.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the pasta."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_805b77b4e1%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b2db4f2a-76df-4038-b009-81cd78d0ae80","imageAlt":"Youvetsi (Greek Beef Stew with Orzo) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["greek","beef","orzo","stew","comfort food","one pot"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Youvetsi (Greek Beef Stew with Orzo)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:41:41.969Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:41:41.969Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_93cd8cc1d5","slug":"foul-mudammas-egyptian-b0a2d1a5","title":"Quick Foul Mudammas with Canned Fava Beans","description":"A traditional Egyptian and Mediterranean breakfast staple made from slow-cooked fava beans, seasoned with garlic, lemon, and high-quality olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","mediterranean","high_protein","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_93cd8cc1d5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5f51ba9c-cd23-448e-9c6a-c10cf077e07d","imageAlt":"Quick Foul Mudammas with Canned Fava Beans — recipe cover","tags":["fava beans","egyptian breakfast","healthy","high protein","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_e90a4fd311","slug":"kagianas","title":"Kagianas","description":"A traditional Greek breakfast delight featuring vine-ripened tomatoes and creamy feta cheese scrambled with fresh eggs for a Mediterranean start to your day.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e90a4fd311%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b290bd3d-1e1d-42f8-8a20-bcfda19a5c6e","imageAlt":"Kagianas — recipe cover","tags":["eggs","tomato","feta","greek","mediterranean","healthy","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"menemen_a62c2fd7c2","slug":"menemen","title":"Menemen","description":"A classic Turkish breakfast dish consisting of eggs, tomatoes, and green peppers, traditionally served in a metal skillet with crusty bread.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","low_carb","gluten_free","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmenemen_a62c2fd7c2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e9e71400-16af-40b7-bac9-bd5fd60261a7","imageAlt":"Menemen — recipe cover","tags":["turkish breakfast","eggs","tomatoes","vegetarian","healthy","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}