Hearty Beef Stroganoff Recipe: A Classic Comfort Food Gem

Rich, creamy beef stroganoff represents a culinary masterpiece that enhances ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Hearty comfort food like this captures the essence of satisfying home cooking with its luxurious sauce and tender meat.

Russian-inspired dishes rarely achieve such remarkable balance between robust flavors and delicate textures.

Silky sour cream and savory beef create a harmonious blend that instantly warms your palate and soul.

Mushrooms add an earthy depth that elevates this classic recipe beyond simple weeknight fare.

Complex yet approachable, beef stroganoff offers a perfect harmony of umami, tanginess, and richness that appeals to multiple taste preferences.

The magic happens when simple ingredients meld together, creating a dish that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

What Makes Beef Stroganoff Special

• Savor Rich, Creamy Comfort: This beef stroganoff delivers a luxurious blend of tender meat, velvety sauce, and deep umami flavors that wrap you in pure culinary comfort.
• Master Fast Gourmet Technique: The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dish through smart cooking methods like high-heat searing, strategic browning, and careful sauce reduction.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible protein options like sirloin, ribeye, or flank steak let you adapt the recipe to your preferences, while serving suggestions over noodles, polenta, or mashed potatoes add versatility.

Beef Stroganoff Ingredient Rundown

• Top Sirloin, Boneless Ribeye, Beef Tenderloin, or Flank Steak: Tender, flavorful cuts perfect for quick cooking and slicing against the grain.

• Yellow Onion: Provides a sweet, mild base flavor and helps build the sauce's depth.
• Baby Bella, Cremini, or Button Mushrooms: Earthy mushrooms that add rich, umami texture to the dish.
• Garlic: Adds a sharp, pungent flavor that enhances the overall taste of the stroganoff.

• All-Purpose Flour: Used for coating beef and thickening the sauce.
• Hot Paprika: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the dish.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances the flavors throughout cooking.
• Sour Cream: Creates a rich, tangy base for the classic stroganoff sauce.
• Dijon Mustard: Brings a sharp, complex flavor to the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and a subtle umami note.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps build the sauce's flavor.
• Neutral Oil: Used for high-heat searing of the beef.
• Low-Sodium Beef or Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid base for the sauce.
• Fresh Parsley or Chives: Optional garnish for added freshness and color.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds a final layer of seasoning and heat.

Cooking Beef Stroganoff the Right Way

Step 1: Prepare Mushrooms and Onions

Trim and quarter baby bella, cremini, or button mushrooms

Halve and thinly slice yellow onion

Finely chop garlic cloves

Step 2: Tenderize and Season Beef

Cut top sirloin, ribeye, beef tenderloin, or flank steak across the grain into 1/2-inch slices

Cut long slices into 1-inch pieces

Place beef in large plastic bag

Gently pound beef with meat pounder or rolling pin

Add flour, hot paprika, and kosher salt

Shake bag to coat beef evenly

Step 3: Sear Beef to Perfection

Heat neutral oil in large skillet over high heat

Sear beef slices in single layer

Cook 30-60 seconds per side until browned outside, rare inside

Transfer seared beef to plate

Sprinkle with remaining flour mixture

Step 4: Caramelize Onions and Mushrooms

Reduce heat to medium-high

Add butter to pan

Cook onions until soft and translucent

Add mushrooms and pinch of salt

Brown mushrooms and onions deeply

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce Base

Add garlic, remaining flour, and butter

Stir until fragrant

Pour in beef or chicken broth

Simmer and reduce by half

Step 6: Bring Stroganoff to Life

Lower heat to medium-low

• Sour cream
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce

Return beef to pan

Cook until beef reaches medium-rare

Step 7: Final Touches

Remove from heat

Season with salt and black pepper

Garnish with chopped parsley or chives

Serve over egg noodles, polenta, or mashed potatoes

Stroganoff Tips for Tender Results

• Slice Meat Precisely: Cut beef against the grain and at a consistent 1/2-inch thickness to ensure tenderness and even cooking.
• Control Heat Carefully: Sear beef in batches over high heat for just 30-60 seconds per side to maintain a juicy, rare interior without overcooking.
• Brown Mushrooms Deeply: Allow mushrooms and onions to develop rich, caramelized flavors by cooking them patiently until they turn a deep golden brown.
• Prevent Sauce Curdling: Add sour cream off direct heat and stir gently to help it incorporate smoothly without separating.
• Select Quality Cuts: Choose tender cuts like top sirloin or beef tenderloin for the most succulent and flavorful stroganoff.

How to Store and Heat Beef Stroganoff Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover beef stroganoff to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Reheating on Stovetop: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent the sauce from breaking.
• Microwave Option: Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the sour cream sauce to separate and become grainy.

Perfect Pairings for Beef Stroganoff

• Sip a Bold Red Wine: Pair the rich, creamy beef stroganoff with a full-bodied red wine like cabernet sauvignon or malbec. The wine's robust tannins cut through the dish's velvety sauce, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
• Serve with Crisp Green Salad: Complement the heavy stroganoff with a light, tangy green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette. The fresh, acidic notes will help cleanse the palate between bites of the hearty meat dish.
• Add Crusty Bread on the Side: Include a slice of crusty sourdough or rustic bread to soak up the delicious stroganoff sauce. The bread's crisp exterior and soft interior provide a delightful textural contrast to the creamy meat and mushrooms.
• Pour a Refreshing Pilsner: Enjoy a cold, crisp pilsner beer alongside the stroganoff. The beer's light, hoppy profile helps cut through the richness of the dish and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy sauce.

Beef Stroganoff with a Twist

• Chicken Stroganoff Swap: Replace beef with tender chicken breasts, sliced and seasoned similarly. Keep the same cooking method and sauce for a lighter protein option that still delivers rich flavor.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Delight: Substitute beef with extra mushrooms or plant-based protein like seitan or tempeh. Enhance umami by using a mix of wild and cultivated mushroom varieties for depth and complexity.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chilies, substitute hot paprika with chipotle powder, and finish with fresh cilantro instead of parsley. Include a splash of tequila in the sauce for an extra southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Version: Use lamb instead of beef, incorporate oregano and rosemary, and finish with crumbled feta cheese. Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangy Mediterranean profile.

Beef Stroganoff Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty beef stroganoff brings Russian culinary comfort to dinner tables worldwide. Tender strips of beef nestle in a creamy sauce, promising rich flavors that dance between tangy sour cream and savory mushroom notes you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1.5 pounds top sirloin, boneless ribeye, beef tenderloin, or flank steaks

Vegetables:

• 12 ounces baby bella, cremini, or button mushrooms
• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic

Seasoning and Other Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 0.75 teaspoon hot paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more as needed)
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as canola or grapeseed)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can low-sodium beef or chicken broth
• 0.67 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1.5 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves or chives (optional)

Serving:

• Cooked egg noodles, polenta, or mashed potatoes

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Instructions

1. Prepare vegetables by trimming and quartering mushrooms, halving and thinly slicing onions, and finely chopping garlic.
2. Slice beef across the grain into thin pieces, cutting longer slices into bite-sized segments if necessary.
3. Tenderize beef by gently pounding with a meat mallet, then coat with flour, paprika, and salt by shaking in a sealed bag.
4. Sear beef in hot oil in batches, ensuring quick browning while maintaining rare interior. Remove and set aside, sprinkling with remaining flour mixture.
5. In the same pan, sauté onions in butter until translucent, then add mushrooms and salt. Cook until deeply caramelized and rich in color.
6. Introduce garlic and remaining flour, stirring until fragrant and butter is fully melted.
7. Pour in broth and simmer, reducing liquid by half to concentrate flavors and create a robust base.
8. Lower heat and whisk in sour cream, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until smoothly incorporated.
9. Return beef to the pan, allowing it to gently cook and reach medium-rare while absorbing the creamy sauce.
10. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, then garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
11. Serve immediately over your preferred starch like egg noodles, creamy polenta, or fluffy mashed potatoes.

Notes

• Choose high-quality beef cuts like top sirloin or tenderloin for the most tender and flavorful stroganoff.
• Sear beef in batches to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust without overcrowding the pan.
• Allow mushrooms and onions to caramelize deeply for rich, concentrated flavor development.
• Use full-fat sour cream at room temperature to prevent curdling when adding to the sauce.
• Cook beef to medium-rare for maximum tenderness and juiciness in the final dish.
• Serve immediately over warm starches like egg noodles to maintain sauce consistency and temperature.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Russian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg