How To Make The Best Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff is a hearty and rewarding comfort food that can prepared in many ways. From this classic version to this easy one-pot variation, it is always a hit in my house.

My family loves it so much that we even use the leftovers to make stroganoff pot pie!

This simple guide will answer any questions and set you up to make perfect stroganoff every time.

What Is Beef Stroganoff Sauce

Stroganoff sauce (or gravy) is a sour cream or cream-based gravy made with beef broth thickened with flour. It is typically flavored using mushrooms and mustard as well.

Beef Stroganoff Ingredients

While all recipes vary, here is a typical stroganoff ingredient list breakdown.

• Meat - Classic beef stroganoff is made using steak, such as flank steak. However, it is easy to adapt the recipe for ground beef, ham, turkey, or another variety of meat.
• Mushrooms - White or cremini mushrooms are most commonly used.
• Flour - Regular, all-purpose flour is used to thicken the gravy.
• Broth or Bouillon - Either beef broth or a combination of beef bouillon and water.
• Sour Cream - Full-fat sour cream yields the best flavor.
• Seasonings - Some simple seasonings include salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder.

Best Beef For Stroganoff

Stroganoff can essentially be made using any of your favorite cuts of beef.

Tender, well-marbled cuts will have the best flavor and texture. The cooking technique requires quickly searing the beef before tossing it in the sauce.

I recommend using either flank steak, tenderloins, ribeye, rump steak, top sirloin, or round steak. Of course, the higher-quality meat will result in a higher-quality meal, but it can still be delicious with the more affordable options.

I have found that my favorite cut of beef for stroganoff is a marbled, fatty chuck roast. After nearly 40 years of making stroganoff as a staple family meal, this is my go-to for a satisfying no-fail dinner.

How To Cut It

When preparing your beef, you'll want to cut it against the grain. This is the key to having tender pieces of beef.

Additionally, you'll want your strips to be thin, about ½-inch thick.

How To Serve Beef Stroganoff

You'll commonly see stroganoff served alongside noodles, rice, or potatoes. These are great options, as they give the sauce something to coat.

You could also get creative and enjoy it with quinoa, wild rice, cauliflower rice, bulgur, or couscous.

Best Noodles

While any pasta variety would taste great with this rich gravy, the most popular would have to be egg noodles. Don't worry if you don't have any, though!

Try serving your stroganoff with fettuccine noodles, bowtie pasta, penne, or any of your favorite types.

Best Method For Cooking The Potatoes

To turn this into a potatoes stroganoff recipe, you'll want to peel and slice some Russet potatoes into rounds that are ¼-inch thick. Boil the rounds in a large pot of salted water.

Drain the potatoes and gently stir them into the gravy.

Feel free to experiment with other ways of preparing your potatoes, such as roasted, mashed, or pan-fried.

How To Make Beef Stroganoff

Here are my easy step-by-step instructions for making classic beef stroganoff.

Step 1: Prepare the meat. Place one pound of sliced beef into a bowl and coat it with half a cup of flour.

Step 2: Sear. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a large skillet. Once hot, add the coated beef (shake off any excess flour) and season it with ½ teaspoon of salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Cook until the meat has begun to brown.

Step 3: Make the broth. Meanwhile, microwave one cup of water with two beef bouillon, stirring and heating until completely dissolved. Pour it into the skillet and stir in one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.

Step 4: Simmer. Bring the gravy to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Add one cup of sliced mushrooms and simmer for 8-10 minutes.

Step 5: Add. When the gravy has begun to thicken, remove it from the heat. Then, stir in 8 ounces of sour cream.

Step 6: Serve. Serve immediately with your choice of potatoes, rice, or noodles.

How To Add Sour Cream Without It Curdling

Sour cream is a classic ingredient in stroganoff, but you'll want to incorporate it correctly into the gravy. When you add the sour cream, it can curdle if the mixture is too hot.

To avoid this problem, do not add the sour cream directly to the hot pan. Instead, remove the skillet from the heat and add the sour cream while quickly stirring.

How To Make It Without Sour Cream

Don't have any sour cream? You can still enjoy some stroganoff.

You can try a sour cream substitute that suits your needs. I would recommend using plain Greek yogurt or even cream cheese. My prime stroganoff recipe uses heavy cream.

How To Make It With Ground Beef

You can always use ground beef to make stroganoff extra budget-friendly and straightforward. To do so, just brown the ground beef, along with some diced onions if desired, and drain off any extra grease.

Then, add the flour and seasonings like normal and continue the recipe as directed.

Note that if you have canned ground beef, it's already cooked. Drain and heat in your skillet, add the flour, and continue cooking the gravy.

How To Make It With Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Using cream of mushroom soup is another budget-friendly alternative because it cuts down on your ingredient list. You can use cream of mushroom soup and eliminate the beef broth, sliced mushrooms, and flour.

Sear your meat (or brown your ground beef) and drain the excess fat. Then, stir in your cream of mushroom soup and seasoning.

Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, remove from the heat, and stir in the sour cream.

How To Make Stroganoff With Other Types Of Meat

You aren't limited to beef, either. You can use any meat you like, making stroganoff perfect for using leftovers.

If your meat is already cooked, stir it into the sauce towards the end of the cooking time. If it isn't cooked, you can sear it as you would the beef beforehand.

Check out my turkey and ham stroganoff recipes.

Remember that the flavor profile will change when swapping out the beef. Because of this, you may want to adjust your seasonings or switch the beef broth for a different broth variety (such as chicken).

How To Make Stroganoff Better

• Use the right beef. Choose a cut of well-marbled beef, and make sure to slice against the grain.
• Sear the meat. Don't skip searing the beef. This step adds extra flavor to both the meat and the sauce.
• Deglaze the pan. Once you add the broth, use your spoon to scrape the brown bits (called 'fond' - an important part of making the best gravies) off the bottom of the pan.
• Incorporate the sour cream. Add the sour cream once the sauce is removed from the heat to prevent curdling.
• Add extra flavor. Adding ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce or Dijon mustard can take your dish up a notch.

Best Sides for Stroganoff

When paired with noodles, potatoes, or rice, stroganoff can easily be a full meal. If you want more, it pairs wonderfully with garlic bread or vegetables, such as roasted brussel sprouts.

Look at my post covering what to serve with beef stroganoff for more ideas and recipes.

Now you know how to make the best beef stroganoff. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. What are your fave tips, tricks, and hacks for this classic recipe? ~ Angela

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