Recipe

Beef Stroganoff

Tender seared beef and mushrooms in a silky sour cream sauce, finished with a little mustard and served over noodles. Cozy, fast, and wildly comforting.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.8

A skillet of creamy beef stroganoff with mushrooms and a glossy sour cream sauce, spooned over egg noodles on a plate in warm kitchen light

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Beef Stroganoff is one of those meals that makes your kitchen smell like you have your life together. In reality, it is just smart timing, a hot pan, and a sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours even if you made it on a Tuesday with one sock missing.

This version is classic in spirit but practical in execution: quick-seared beef (so it stays tender), mushrooms that actually brown (not steam sadly), and a creamy tangy sauce built on beef broth, a little Dijon, and sour cream stirred in off the heat so it stays smooth. Serve it over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or whatever cozy carb is currently earning your trust.

Sliced seared steak and browned mushrooms in a skillet with onions, ready for sauce to be added

Why It Works

Tender beef, not rubber: We sear quickly and finish gently in the sauce instead of boiling it into sadness.
Deep savory flavor fast: Browning mushrooms and deglazing the pan pulls all the good bits into the sauce.
Silky, balanced creaminess: Sour cream goes in off the heat, plus Dijon and Worcestershire for that “wait, what is that?” depth.
Weeknight-flexible: Works with sirloin, ribeye, or even ground beef if you need a budget pivot.

Storage Tips

How to Store and Reheat

Fridge: Cool leftovers, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: You can freeze it, but creamy sauces can separate. If you plan to freeze, consider holding back the sour cream and stirring it in after reheating. Frozen stroganoff keeps up to 2 months.

Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of beef broth or water. Stir often. Avoid a hard boil or the sour cream can break.

Noodles tip: Store noodles separately if possible so they do not soak up all the sauce like a tiny pasta sponge.

Common Questions

FAQ

What cut of beef is best for stroganoff?

Sirloin is the weeknight hero: tender enough, reasonably priced, and cooks quickly. Ribeye is luxurious. Tenderloin is excellent but usually overkill unless you are feeling fancy on purpose.

Can I use ground beef?

Yes. Brown it well, drain excess fat if needed, then proceed. You will lose the steakhouse vibe but gain true pantry-weeknight energy.

Why add sour cream at the end?

Sour cream can curdle if it boils. Taking the pan off the heat first keeps the sauce smooth and creamy.

Can I make it without mushrooms?

Absolutely. Swap in extra onions, a handful of peas at the end, or sautéed bell peppers. It will not be “classic,” but neither is eating over the sink and we do that too.

How do I thicken the sauce?

The flour helps, but if you want it thicker: simmer a few minutes longer, or mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir it in while the sauce is gently bubbling (before adding sour cream).

Do I have to use pasta water?

Nope. It is optional, just a handy way to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick while you are finishing the beef. A splash of broth works too.

Is paprika “traditional”?

Many versions use it. If you want that classic warmth, add 1 teaspoon paprika with the flour.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Large skillet (12-inch preferred) or sauté pan
Pot for boiling noodles
Sharp knife and cutting board
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons

The first time I made beef stroganoff, I thought it was a “special occasion” dish, like you needed a tablecloth and restaurant-level technique. Turns out, it is mostly just a creamy sauce and confidence. Now it is my go-to when I want dinner to feel a little dramatic without actually doing anything dramatic, like making a second pan. Also, it is the rare meal where leftovers somehow taste even more like a hug the next day.

Beef Stroganoff

(4.8 Reviews)

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

12 oz egg noodles
1 lb sirloin steak, sliced into thin strips (slice against the grain)
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided (plus more for pasta water)
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 tbsp unsalted butter
10 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Optional: 1 tsp paprika (stir in with the flour)
1/2 cup sour cream (full-fat recommended)
Optional: 1 to 2 tsp lemon juice for brightness
To serve: chopped parsley or dill

Notes: If you only have low-fat sour cream, it can work, but keep the heat very gentle and do not boil after adding it.

Instructions

Boil the noodles. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles until just tender. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water (optional), then drain.
Season and sear the beef. Pat the beef dry (this matters for browning). Season with 1 tsp of the salt and all the pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef in a single layer (do not crowd it, plan on 2 to 3 batches) and sear 30 to 60 seconds per side until browned but still a little pink inside. Transfer to a plate.
Brown the mushrooms. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and the butter. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release moisture and then brown, about 8 to 12 minutes. Season with 1/4 tsp of the salt.
Soften onions and add garlic. Add sliced onion to the mushrooms and cook until soft and lightly golden, about 4 to 6 minutes. Season with another 1/4 tsp of the salt. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Build the sauce. Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir for 1 minute. (If using paprika, add it here too.) Slowly pour in beef broth in a steady stream while stirring or whisking to prevent lumps, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in Worcestershire and Dijon. Simmer until slightly thickened and the flour taste cooks out, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Finish with sour cream (no boiling). Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in sour cream until smooth. Taste and season with the remaining salt as needed, plus more pepper and a little lemon juice if you want it brighter.
Return beef to the pan. Add the seared beef and any juices back to the skillet. Return to low heat and warm gently for 1 to 2 minutes until the beef is heated through (cook a little longer if you prefer no pink). If the sauce feels too thick, loosen with a splash of reserved pasta water (optional) or beef broth.
Serve. Spoon over noodles and finish with parsley or dill. Eat immediately while it is creamy and everyone is mysteriously quiet.

Nutrition information is estimated.

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Beef Stroganoff

Why It Works

Storage Tips

How to Store and Reheat

Common Questions

FAQ

What cut of beef is best for stroganoff?

Can I use ground beef?

Why add sour cream at the end?

Can I make it without mushrooms?

How do I thicken the sauce?

Do I have to use pasta water?

Is paprika “traditional”?

Recommended

Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms

Perfectly Boiled Egg Noodles

Juicy Pan-Seared Sirloin Steak

Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients

Instructions

Recommended

Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms

Perfectly Boiled Egg Noodles

Juicy Pan-Seared Sirloin Steak

Fluffy and Creamy Mashed Potatoes

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Skillet Browned Ground Beef (Flavor-Forward and Not Steamed)