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Healthy Greek Stuffed Onions Recipe

Traditional Greek stuffed onions made with tender onion layers filled with a savory beef and rice mixture, slow baked in a rich tomato and herb sauce for authentic Mediterranean flavor.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 large yellow or sweet onions
  • Salt for water and seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef or lamb
  • 1/2 cup long-grain rice
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup beef or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Trim the tops and roots of the onions and score one side vertically.
  3. Boil onions for 10–12 minutes until tender.
  4. Drain and cool, then carefully separate onion layers into cups.
  5. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté chopped onion until soft.
  6. Add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
  7. Add ground meat and cook until browned.
  8. Stir in rice, parsley, mint, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
  9. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  10. Fill onion layers with meat and rice mixture.
  11. Place stuffed onions seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
  12. Heat olive oil in a saucepan and sauté garlic.
  13. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, oregano, dill, and lemon juice.
  14. Simmer sauce for 5–7 minutes.
  15. Pour sauce over stuffed onions.
  16. Cover and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes.
  17. Uncover and bake an additional 20–30 minutes until tender and lightly golden.

Notes

Avoid over-boiling the onions and do not overstuff. Let the dish rest briefly after baking to allow flavors to settle.