• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Bake It With Love

  • Grilling
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Grilling
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » How To

Last Updated: Feb 29, 2024 by Angela Latimer · 5 Comments

How To Make The Best Beef Stroganoff

Jump to Recipe
How to make beef stroganoff pin with top tips box and text header over ground beef stroganoff image.

Learn how to make the best beef stroganoff with this in-depth guide that covers everything you need to know for a perfect meal. I'll review the ingredients, meat types, noodles, recipes, tips, and more. Afterward, you'll be a beef stroganoff expert.

If you enjoy these thorough walk-throughs, see how to make quiche, how to make mashed potatoes, and the ultimate guide to cooking lamb.

How to make the best beef stroganoff every time featuring a square collage image of four tasty recipes.
Jump to:
  • What Is Beef Stroganoff Sauce
  • Beef Stroganoff Ingredients
  • Best Beef For Stroganoff
  • 🥩 When Considering Beef Cuts
  • How To Serve Beef Stroganoff
  • How To Make Beef Stroganoff
  • How To Add Sour Cream Without It Curdling
  • How To Make It Without Sour Cream
  • How To Make It With Ground Beef
  • How To Make It With Cream Of Mushroom Soup
  • How To Make Stroganoff With Other Types Of Meat
  • How To Make Stroganoff Better
  • Best Sides for Stroganoff
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

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.

🥩 When Considering Beef Cuts

Remember that tough cuts of meat won't have long enough to break down and become tender. Choose your beef with this in mind.

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.

>>>See All Of My Recipes Here!<<<

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 make beef stroganoff with beef or your favorite meat, one pot directions, and more.

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.

>>>See All Of My Recipes Here!<<<

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

  • A square collage of four images showing easy summer crockpot meals including tender London broil pot roast, green beans and potatoes, grape jelly meatballs, and pork carnitas tacos.
    Summer Crockpot Meal Ideas
  • Panda Express honey sesame chicken copycat recipe plated with rice and garnished with more white sesame seeds.
    Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken
  • A square image showing a bowl of tender wok fried marinated chicken with celery, onions, and black pepper sauce.
    Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken
  • Best leftover lobster recipes page image featuring four favorite dishes in a square collage.
    Leftover Lobster Recipes
  • Square collage image featuring 4 tasty recipes using leftover hard boiled eggs.
    Leftover Hard Boiled Eggs Recipes
  • Spider taco ring on baking sheet with taco toppings in the body and sliced olives for eyes.
    Spider Taco Crescent Ring
  • Tasty Cracker Barrel broccoli cheddar chicken plated and partially sliced.
    Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
  • Tasty baked ricotta chicken recipe dished up on a light tan plate with pasta.
    Baked Ricotta Chicken
See more Main Dish →

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 Recipe Card

How to make beef stroganoff with beef or your favorite meat, one pot directions, and more.
Print Recipe Leave A Comment
Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
4.78 from 9 reviews

How To Make The Best Beef Stroganoff: Recipes, Tips, Tricks, & More!

Learn how to make the best beef stroganoff with this in-depth guide that covers everything you need to know for a perfect meal. I'll review the ingredients, meat types, noodles, recipes, tips, and more. Afterward, you'll be a beef stroganoff expert.
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 365kcal
Prep 10 minutes minutes
Cooking 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 25 minutes minutes
Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb flank steak (any beef cut will work; slice thinner when using tougher meats)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon cooking oil
  • ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup water (to add the beef bullion cubes to)
  • 2 cubes beef bullion
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup mushrooms (sliced, use your preferred mushrooms)
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 3 cups pasta (3 cups dry egg noodles - cooked, drained and rinsed)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Preheat a large skillet with 2 tablespoon cooking oil to medium-high heat.
  • Slice the 1 lb flank steak and coat with the ½ cup all-purpose flour. Shake off excess flour and carefully place it into the heated 2 tablespoon cooking oil in your skillet. Add seasoning: ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon onion powder. Cook until meat slices are browned around the edges.
  • While the meat is cooking, heat 1 cup water with 2 cubes beef bullion in the microwave for 2 minutes, stir, and then heat an additional 1 minute. Stir again, then add to the skillet once the meat slices are ready. Add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine.
  • Bring gravy to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer.
  • Add 1 cup mushrooms and cook for 8-10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat when gravy is slightly thickened, and add 8 oz sour cream. Stir in sour cream until evenly distributed throughout the cream sauce.
  • Serve beef stroganoff immediately combined with 3 cups pasta or atop your cooked (and buttered, optional) noodles. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • If your sauce is too thin after adding the sour cream, remove it from the burner completely and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to thicken. You can use up to 16 ounces of sour cream in this recipe, depending on your preferences.
  • My family and I like stroganoff with a strong Worcestershire sauce flavor, however, when making this recipe for the first time you can start with less and add more after combining the sour cream as needed.
  • Different brands of Worcestershire sauce will yield different flavor results (ie. Heinz is sweeter than Lea & Perrins). Lea & Perrins is also stronger flavored, so be sure to start with even less.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcal (18%) | Carbohydrates: 32g (11%) | Protein: 18g (36%) | Fat: 18g (28%) | Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 67mg (22%) | Sodium: 225mg (10%) | Potassium: 390mg (11%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 417IU (8%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 81mg (8%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Dinner Recipes, Main Dish
Cuisine American, Russian
« Chocolate Raisin Cornflake Clusters
Best Good Friday Meals: Easy Recipes For Your Day Of Fasting »

Share This Recipe!

  • Share
  • X
  • Flipboard
  • Threads
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.78 from 9 votes (6 ratings without comment)

    Thanks for coming! Ask anything - or let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Denise Scherz says

    October 04, 2024 at 6:55 pm

    5 stars
    So yummy and you ate right about the worchestershire sauce.

    Reply
  2. Jess Cowan says

    October 03, 2024 at 3:52 pm

    Hello,
    I can’t wait to have the beef stroganoff tomorrow night! I actually bought the beef, better than bouillon , instead of the actual cubes. Will this work and do I still need to have 2 cups of water? I think I will, but not a 100% sure?

    Reply
    • Angela Latimer says

      October 03, 2024 at 6:17 pm

      You can mix the better than bouillon with the water (instead of the cubes) to make your broth base for the gravy. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Lori says

    September 13, 2024 at 4:09 pm

    3 stars
    I had to double the broth portion as one cup just absorbed straight up!!
    Otherwise it was delicious!

    Reply
  4. Jeannette Shields says

    May 20, 2024 at 5:12 pm

    5 stars
    This was delicious! I halved the recipe because I live alone and want some for more days. Thank you for this recipe. I’m so happy you did not use cream of mushroom soup (in the can). It is so much better this way. The beef came out very tender. I added some chopped onions when I added the beef, because I like onions.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Author bio photo with cake.

Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

More About Me ->

Grilling Recipes

  • Tasty, easy cookout food ideas to make and feed a crowd this summer.
    Easy Cookout Food Ideas: Best Dishes To Bring To A Cookout

  • Square image of sliced Arrachera steak on a cutting board.
    Arrachera (Mexican Steak for Tacos)

  • Square image of sliced Denver steak on a cutting board.
    Denver Steak

  • Square image of grilled ostrich steaks.
    Grilled Ostrich Steaks

  • Square image of grilled pineapple.
    Grilled Pineapple

  • Square image of sliced grilled skirt steak.
    Grilled Skirt Steak

See more Grilled →

Tasty Dinner Ideas

  • Best Italian recipes collage square featuring four tasty dishes like lasagna and fried calamari.
    Best Italian Recipes Straight from Nonna's Kitchen

  • Best Mother's Day dinner ideas to make for Mom this year, featuring four best recipes in a square collage.
    Mother's Day Dinner Ideas

  • Classic stuffed shells recipe with spinach and Italian sausage then topped with more cheese.
    Stuffed Shells with Spinach & Italian Sausage

  • Best budget friendly dinner recipes to beat the cost of inflation and keep meals affordable.
    Budget Friendly Dinners To Make

  • Easy stuffed manicotti with Italian sausage dinner recipe plated and garnished with parsley.
    Stuffed Manicotti With Italian Sausage

  • Perfectly tasty layers of meat sauce, ricotta, pasta, and cheese combine in this hearty baked ziti casserole.
    Baked Ziti with Ricotta & Italian Sausage

See more Main Dish →

Footer

As Seen On

As seen on these popular sites: Mashed, Tasting Table, Parade, MSN, Yahoo, Delish, The Pioneer Woman, Today, Taste of Home, and more.

↑ back to top

About

  • Meet The Team
  • Photo Sharing
  • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
  • Accessibility Statement

Recipes

  • Dinners
  • Desserts
  • Breakfasts
  • Cookies & Bars
  • Videos
  • Articles

AI-Free

Everything on Bake It With Love is created by me, where I share my experiences, with help from my team members and family.

I promise that BIWL is 100% free of AI content.

Get Social

Visit us on your favorite social media platforms!

Copyright © 2016-2025 Bake It With Love

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.