Best Beef Stroganoff: Rich & Creamy

 

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Serving Size: 6 servings
Difficulty: Easy

Are you craving something warm, creamy, and satisfying? This beef stroganoff recipe is about to become your new favorite comfort food. It’s rich, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make at home.

What Is Beef Stroganoff?

Beef stroganoff is a classic Russian dish that’s won hearts worldwide. It features tender strips of beef in a creamy, savory sauce. The dish gets its signature flavor from sour cream and mushrooms.

This recipe has been around since the 19th century. Today, it’s a beloved weeknight dinner that feels fancy without the fuss.

 

 

Why You’ll Love This Beef Stroganoff Recipe

This isn’t just any beef stroganoff. It’s the one you’ll make again and again. Here’s why:

• Ready in under an hour – Perfect for busy weeknights
• One-pan cooking – Less cleanup, more time to relax
• Restaurant-quality taste – Your family will think you ordered in
• Budget-friendly – Uses simple, affordable ingredients
• Crowd-pleaser – Even picky eaters love it

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Beef Stroganoff:

• 1.5 pounds beef sirloin, cut into thin strips
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

For Serving:

• 12 ounces egg noodles, cooked
• Or rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta of choice

 

 

How to Make Perfect Beef Stroganoff

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Start by cutting your beef into thin strips. Make sure they’re roughly the same size. This helps them cook evenly.

Slice your mushrooms and dice your onion. Having everything ready makes cooking smooth and stress-free.

Step 2: Sear the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season your beef strips with salt and pepper.

Add the beef to the hot pan. Don’t overcrowd it. Cook in batches if needed. Sear for 2-3 minutes until browned.

Remove the beef and set it aside. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet. It’ll finish cooking in the sauce.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

Add butter to the same pan. Toss in your diced onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens.

Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Cook for another 5 minutes. The mushrooms should be golden and have released their moisture.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables. Stir it in and cook for one minute. This creates a base that thickens your sauce.

Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring. This prevents lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard.

Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. It should thicken slightly.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Return the beef to the pan along with any juices. Reduce the heat to low.

Stir in the sour cream. Mix everything gently until combined. Don’t let it boil once you add the sour cream. This prevents curdling.

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your beef stroganoff over cooked egg noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley. Watch as everyone comes running to the table.

Pro Tips for the Best Beef Stroganoff

Choose the Right Cut

Sirloin works great for this beef stroganoff recipe. It’s tender and flavorful. You can also use ribeye or tenderloin if you want to splurge.

Avoid tough cuts that need long cooking times. We’re going for quick and tender here.

Don’t Overcook the Beef

The secret to tender beef stroganoff is not overcooking the meat. Sear it quickly and let it finish in the sauce.

Overcooked beef becomes tough and chewy. Nobody wants that.

Use Full-Fat Sour Cream

Low-fat sour cream can separate when heated. Stick with full-fat for the creamiest, most luxurious sauce.

It makes all the difference in texture and flavor.

Let It Rest

After cooking, let your beef stroganoff sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

 

 

Variations to Try

Classic Beef Stroganoff with Paprika

Add 1-2 teaspoons of paprika with the flour. This gives your dish a traditional Russian flavor and a beautiful color.

Creamy Mushroom-Heavy Version

Love mushrooms? Double the amount. Use a mix of varieties like cremini, shiitake, and button mushrooms for deeper flavor.

Lighter Beef Stroganoff

Replace half the sour cream with Greek yogurt. You’ll cut calories while keeping that tangy creaminess.

Wine-Enhanced Recipe

Add 1/2 cup of white wine after cooking the vegetables. Let it reduce before adding the broth. This adds sophisticated depth.

What to Serve with Beef Stroganoff

This beef stroganoff recipe pairs perfectly with several sides:

Egg noodles – The traditional choice and still the best
White rice – Soaks up the sauce beautifully
Mashed potatoes – Extra comfort in every bite
Crusty bread – Perfect for mopping up sauce
Steamed green beans – Adds freshness and color
Simple side salad – Balances the richness

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover beef stroganoff in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for 3-4 days.

The flavors actually deepen overnight. Many people say it tastes even better the next day.

Reheating Instructions

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Avoid using high heat. This can cause the sour cream to separate.

Can You Freeze It?

Beef stroganoff can be frozen, but the texture changes slightly. The sour cream may separate when thawed.

If freezing, do so before adding the sour cream. Add it fresh when reheating.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using high heat with sour cream – Always add sour cream on low heat to prevent curdling.

Cutting beef too thick – Thin strips cook faster and are more tender.

Skipping the sear – Browning the beef adds crucial flavor.

Adding too much liquid – Start with less broth. You can always add more.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 485
• Protein: 32g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 105mg
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g

Note: Nutritional values include egg noodles

Why This Beef Stroganoff Recipe Works

This recipe balances rich flavors with simple techniques. The beef stays tender. The sauce is silky and flavorful. Everything comes together in one pan.

You don’t need fancy skills or hard-to-find ingredients. Just follow the steps and you’ll have restaurant-quality beef stroganoff at home.

Final Thoughts

Beef stroganoff is comfort food at its finest. It’s creamy, savory, and absolutely satisfying. This recipe makes it accessible for home cooks of any skill level.

The next time you’re wondering what to make for dinner, remember this beef stroganoff recipe. It’s quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough for company.

Your family will love every creamy, delicious bite. And you’ll love how easy it is to make.

Ready to get cooking?

Gather your ingredients and let’s make some magic happen in your kitchen. Trust me, this beef stroganoff is worth it.