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A hearty serving of Beef Giouvetsi, featuring succulent beef pieces simmered in a tomato and herb sauce with orzo pasta. The dish is garnished with fresh parsley and served in a white bowl over a wooden table. Each bite combines the deep, savory flavor of braised beef with the soft texture of perfectly cooked orzo — a comforting Mediterranean classic.

Beef Giouvetsi Recipe

A rich and comforting traditional Beef Giouvetsi Recipe with tender chunks of beef slow-cooked in tomato sauce and baked with orzo pasta. Warmed with cinnamon and allspice, this one-pot meal is pure Mediterranean comfort that the whole family will love.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword: Authentic beef giouvetsi recipe, Best beef giouvetsi recipe, Easy beef giouvetsi recipe, Giouvetsi recipe bbc, Simple beef giouvetsi recipe, Traditional beef giouvetsi recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Rest Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 620kcal
Cost: $25

Equipment

  • 1 Large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot with lid (For browning and baking)
  • 1 Sharp knife (To cube beef)
  • 1 Wooden spoon (For stirring sauce)
  • 1 Measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 Box grater (For cheese topping)

Ingredients

For the Beef

  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast - Cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • — — salt and pepper - To taste
  • 1 large onion - Finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic - Minced
  • 1 cup red wine - Use dry red wine

For the Tomato Sauce

  • 2 cups tomato sauce or puree
  • 14 oz crushed tomatoes - 1 can
  • 2 — bay leaves
  • 1 — cinnamon stick
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon molasses - Optional – adds depth of flavor
  • 1 pinch ground cloves - Optional – for warmth
  • 1 pinch nutmeg - Optional – enhances flavor

For the Orzo

  • 2 cups orzo pasta
  • 3 cups hot water or beef broth
  • ½ cup grated kefalotyri or parmesan cheese - Plus extra for topping

Instructions

  • Sear the beef cubes in olive oil until deeply browned on all sides for maximum flavor.
    Close-up of juicy beef pieces searing in a red cast-iron pot filled with tomato sauce and orzo pasta. A wooden spoon drizzles golden olive oil over the simmering meat, adding shine and richness. The scene captures a key cooking step in preparing traditional Greek giouvetsi — the slow braising that develops deep flavor and tender texture.
  • Sauté onions and garlic, deglaze with red wine, then add tomatoes and spices to create a rich sauce.
  • Combine beef with tomato sauce and bake slowly until the meat becomes tender and flavorful.
    A rustic red Dutch oven filled with tender, slow-cooked beef chunks and orzo pasta simmered in a rich tomato sauce. The dish is beautifully garnished with fresh herbs like rosemary and bay leaves, and you can see a few cinnamon sticks adding a hint of spice. The deep golden orzo absorbs the sauce’s flavor, creating a comforting, hearty Greek one-pot meal known as beef giouvetsi
  • pasta with hot broth, cover, and bake until the pasta absorbs the savory sauce.
  • Top with grated cheese, bake uncovered until golden, and let rest before serving warm
    A beautifully plated serving of beef giouvetsi in a white ceramic bowl. The tender shredded beef sits on top of saucy orzo pasta, with chunks of tomato and a generous sprinkle of feta cheese and chopped parsley. The rich red sauce glistens under the light, showcasing a traditional Greek comfort dish full of depth and home-cooked warmth.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 400g | Calories: 620kcal (31%) | Carbohydrates: 46g (15%) | Protein: 44g (88%) | Fat: 25g (38%) | Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 125mg (42%) | Sodium: 820mg (36%) | Potassium: 1150mg (33%) | Fiber: 4g (17%) | Sugar: 8g (9%) | Vitamin A: 450IU (9%) | Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) | Calcium: 160mg (16%) | Iron: 5mg (28%)
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