Growing up, my mom’s beef Stroganoff recipe was on frequent rotation in our house. It was one of her main dishes that I loved the most — like a giant hug on a plate. In fact, whenever I come home to Savannah to visit my parents, still, without fail, I almost always request it.

Now that I’m a working mom just like my mom is, I realize there’s no need to wait for a special occasion or visit to make creamy, rich, comforting beef stroganoff. Easy recipes with a short prep time and cook time are lifesavers for me. With a total time of only 40 minutes, my beef Stroganoff recipe, inspired by my mom’s, is a weeknight winner. 

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Beef Stroganoff FAQs >>

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Beef Stroganoff FAQs

If this is your first time making beef Stroganoff, start here.

1. What is beef Stroganoff?

Classic beef Stroganoff is a Russian dish (likely after Stroganov, the last name of a family of Russian nobility) of sauteed beef in a sour cream and Dijon mustard sauce. The creamy sauce also usually includes onions, a few cloves garlic, and mushrooms, plus all-purpose flour or cornstarch to thicken it.

2. What meat to use for beef Stroganoff

For this beef Stroganoff recipe, the cut of beef I like to use is sirloin steak cut into thin slices. To me, it’s the best beef for Stroganoff because it’s super flavorful and relatively inexpensive. In fact I often find it on sale! You could also substitute sliced ribeye, beef tenderloin, or even ground beef.

3. What ingredients are in beef Stroganoff?

Here are the ingredients you'll need for my beef Stroganoff:

• Vegetable oil (it has a higher smoke point than olive oil)

• Sirloin steak

• Yellow onion

• Sliced cremini mushrooms

• Beef broth (or beef stock)

• All-purpose flour

• Worcestershire sauce

• Dijon mustard

• Sour cream

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

• Egg noodles (I like extra-wide egg noodles)

4. How to cook beef Stroganoff

This easy beef Stroganoff is a stovetop recipe. You’ll need a large skillet to sear the sirloin steak (in batches) over medium-high heat. Then you’ll use the pan drippings as a start for the creamy sauce.

5. How to make beef Stroganoff sauce

The first secret to pumping up the flavor of the sauce is to use the pan drippings you get when you sear the steak. Saute the onions and cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bella) in the pan drippings. The moisture from the veggies will help release those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Then whisk a little all-purpose flour into some beef broth along with a tablespoon Dijon mustard and a tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and add that to the skillet. The sauce will bubble, simmer, and thicken. Then stir in some sour cream, and voila! That’s your beef Stroganoff sauce.

6. What to serve with beef Stroganoff

Classic beef Stroganoff is served with egg noodles. Personally, I like wide egg noodles because more surface area means more opportunities for soaking up the creamy sauce. Mashed potatoes are also a great starch option. To round out the meal, add your favorite steamed green veggies like broccoli or green beans. Finally, red wine is a natural pairing for beef, and that’s what I like to serve with this weeknight meal to make it feel special.

7. Can I make dairy-free or gluten-free beef Stroganoff?

Yes! There are several ways to change up the ingredients in this recipe to fit your dietary needs. For a dairy-free beef Stroganoff, substitute a plant-based sour cream. If you’re cutting back on fat or looking for a lower-calorie beef Stroganoff, then plain, full-fat yogurt is also a good substitute for the sour cream. For a gluten-free beef Stroganoff, use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the sauce. (Start with 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water and see if that thickens the sauce enough.) Instead of wheat egg noodles, serve the Stroganoff with mashed potatoes or gluten-free egg noodles.

8. How to reheat beef Stroganoff

If you have any leftovers, I recommend storing the Stroganoff sauce separately from the egg noodles in airtight containers. To reheat the sauce, place it in a saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until reheated. Or zap it in the microwave in 30-second intervals until hot. I like to reheat the egg noodles in the microwave in a microwave-safe container. Add a tablespoon or two of water, cover the container with a paper towel, and microwave in 30-second intervals. You can also add a tablespoon or two of unsalted butter to the hot noodles to fresh them up. 

How to make beef Stroganoff step by step

Let's get into some details of how to make my beef Stroganoff recipe.

1. Heat the water and prep the ingredients

Start by bringing a large, covered pot of salted water to a boil. Turn off the heat, cover, and set it aside until you’re ready to cook the noodles. Meanwhile, prep your ingredients: thinly slice sirloin steak and season it with salt and black pepper. Slice an onion and cremini mushrooms (if you didn’t buy pre-sliced mushrooms). 

2. Sear the steak

Photo by Ashley Strickland Freeman

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and sear the steak, in batches, until browned on both sides. Remember, this is building flavor for your sauce, so be sure to get some good color. Remove the steak to a plate and keep warm, reserving the drippings in the skillet.

3. Make the beef Stroganoff sauce

Photo by Ashley Strickland Freeman

Add the onion and cremini mushrooms to the drippings in the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and the mushrooms begin to brown. 

Whisk together the beef broth, all-purpose flour, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Add the mixture to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until the sauce bubbles and thickens, about 5 minutes. 

Now stir in the sour cream and steak. Taste and add more salt and black pepper if you like.

4. Cook the noodles

While you’re cooking the Stroganoff sauce, return the pot of water to a boil. Uncover the pot and cook the egg noodles according to the package directions. Drain the noodles but don’t rinse them, and keep them warm if needed until you’ve finished the sauce.

5. Serve

To serve, just divide the egg noodles among shallow serving bowls or plates. Spoon the Stroganoff sauce over the noodles and garnish with parsley.

Get the Best Beef Stroganoff recipe

Now that you know how easy it is to make homemade beef Stroganoff, it’s time to get cooking! 

Best Beef Stroganoff

chopped fresh parsley, Worcestershire sauce and 11 more

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Bonus: If you’re looking for a slow cooker beef Stroganoff recipe, be sure to check out Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff from the Yummly vault. Note that it calls for chuck roast (or beef stew meat) and cooks low and slow for 6 to 8 hours.

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