Description
Mediterranean kitchens showcase delicious Greek stuffed onions as a savory culinary treasure from traditional Greek cuisine. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation deliver a delightful dish you will savor with each carefully crafted bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup (200 grams / 7 ounces) Arborio rice
- 6–8 large onions, whole
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 5–6 garlic cloves, grated
- 2 cups pureed tomatoes
- 2 cups onion broth (reserved from boiling)
- 3–4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Parsley for garnish
- Feta cheese
- Yogurt
Instructions
- Prepare the onion shells by trimming the tops and bottoms, then carefully peeling the entire vegetable. Create a gentle lengthwise slit without completely separating the layers. Submerge in salted water and boil for 10-15 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside 4 cups of the cooking liquid, allowing onions to cool completely.
- Create the savory filling by sautéing finely chopped onions in olive oil until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook briefly. Introduce ground beef, seasoning thoroughly, and cook until uniformly browned. Incorporate tomato puree and simmer until the mixture thickens. Fold in rice and reserved onion broth, cooking for 6-8 minutes until liquid absorbs. Finish with fresh herbs, mixing well.
- Carefully separate the onion layers and delicately spoon the prepared filling into the center of each shell. Gently roll the layers to encase the filling, forming compact packets. Position the stuffed onions seam-side down in a single layer within a baking dish.
- Prepare the accompanying sauce and generously pour over the onion rolls. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 35-45 minutes until the onions become remarkably tender. Complete the dish with a quick broil for 5 minutes to achieve a golden, appetizing surface.
Notes
- Prep Onions Carefully boil and separate layers gently to prevent tearing, ensuring each layer remains intact for perfect stuffing packets.
- Rice Texture Control add slightly less liquid when cooking rice to keep filling slightly firm, preventing mushy consistency inside onion layers.
- Meat Selection choose lean ground beef or substitute with ground lamb for authentic Greek flavor, or use plant-based alternatives for vegetarian version.
- Flavor Enhancement toast herbs briefly before adding to filling to intensify their aromatic qualities and deepen overall dish complexity.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 197
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg