The most amazing Beef Stroganoff you will ever have! Golden seared juicy beef strips smothered in an incredible sour cream mushroom gravy, this Beef Stroganoff recipe is an easy 30 minute recipe.
Never suffer through dry chewy beef or bland Stroganoff sauce again – this recipe delivers!!
Beef Stroganoff
If you’ve ever chewed your way through dry, overcooked beef, you’re going to LOVE this Beef Stroganoff recipe! Just two simple rules for juicy, tender beef:
-
using the right cut; and
-
the 30 Second Sear ( <– PS I totally made up this name)
The first rule is fairly self explanatory – for a quick cooking recipe like Beef Stroganoff, you can’t get away with using a better value tough cut like chuck beef.
Sure, you could do a slow cooker stroganoff.
But if you want to make this retro classic the way it’s intended and to experience all that Beef Stroganoff is when the beef is tender, juicy perfection, then there’s no getting around the fact that you will need a good quality steak that’s nicely marbled with fat.
I know, I know, you see juicy steaks like the rib eyes above and your instinct is to throw them on the barbie.
I hear you. I have to fight the urge myself. But then I remember that sour cream mushroom gravy, and I remind myself that the only way to experience a truly great stroganoff is to use a good steak, and it’s all good. We proceed with no regrets.
What cut of beef is best for stroganoff?
The best cuts of beef for stroganoff are tender, juicy cuts such as:
-
boneless rib eye – also called scotch fillet (pictured above)
-
boneless sirloin
-
sirloin steak tips
-
beef tenderloin
Some recipes recommend beef round steak (aka topside) which I do not recommend. The beef flavour is ok but but it’s not a good cut for fast cooking like in stroganoff, it’s dry with an unpleasant texture. It’s best slow cooked.
Want to use stewing beef?
Make this Slow Cooked Stroganoff with tender fall apart chunks of beef!
And now, the 2nd secret to never suffer through dry beef in stroganoff again……
The 30 second sear
Thin strips of beef overcook in a flash. But forgoing the sear would be a blasphemy (in my books). Sear = flavour on both the beef AND in the gravy.
Therefore, there is only one way around this. A super quick sear in a smoking hot skillet. And when I say super quick, I truly mean it. 30 seconds on each side, if you miss some pink bits too bad! GET IT OUT OF THE SKILLET!!!
The beef will still be raw at this stage but don’t worry! It finishes cooking in the gravy at the end.
What is stroganoff sauce made of?
Stroganoff sauce is a sour cream gravy made with beef broth that’s thickened with flour. It’s flavoured with mustard and has mushrooms in it.
I love the pale brown creamy colour against the deep golden brown seared beef!
If you happen to have leftovers or are meal prepping, beef stroganoff will keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. But be very careful when reheating not to overcook the beef!
Wondering you if you can freeze beef stroganoff?
Yes you can! The sour cream won’t separate or congeal. Thaw, then reheat – be very careful not to overcook the beef when reheating.
What to serve with beef stroganoff
Serve it over noodles, pasta or mash – anything that’s a suitable vehicle to slop up all that gorgeous mushroom gravy. Try cauliflower mash for a low carb alternative!
If using noodles or pasta, I recommend using a short pasta. It just makes it easier to eat, ensuring you get a bit of everything with plenty of that sauce in every bite!
Dinner – on the table in 30 minutes. EVERYONE WILL LOVE THIS!!! – Nagi x
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Sometimes it helps to have a visual – so watch me make this Beef Stroganoff recipe!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients
- 600 g / 1.2 lb scotch fillet steak / boneless rib eye (Note 1)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil , divided
- 1 large onion (or 2 small onions), sliced
- 300 g / 10 oz mushrooms , sliced (not too thin)
- 40 g / 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour (Note 2)
- 2 cups / 500 ml beef broth , preferably salt reduced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 150 ml / 2/3 cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper
Serving:
- 250 - 300 g / 8 - 10 oz pasta or egg noodles of choice (Note 3)
- Chopped chives , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Use your fist (or rolling pin or mallet) to flatten the steaks to about 3/4cm / 1/3" thick. Slice into 5mm / 1/5" strips (cut long ones in half), discarding excess fat.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over high heat. Scatter half the beef in the skillet, QUICKLY spread it with tongs. Leave untouched for 30 seconds until browned. Turn beef quickly (as best you can!). Leave untouched for 30 seconds to brown. Immediately remove onto a plate. Don't worry about pink bits and that it will be raw inside.
- Add remaining 1 tbsp oil and repeat with remaining beef.
- Turn heat down to medium high. Add butter, melt. Then add onions, cook for 1 minute, then add mushrooms.
- Cook mushrooms until golden. Scrape bottom of fry pan to get all the golden bits off (this is flavour!).
- Add flour, cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Add half the broth while stirring. Once incorporated, add remaining broth.
- Stir, then add sour cream and mustard. Stir until incorporated (don't worry if it looks split, sour cream will "melt" as it heats).
- Bring to simmer ,then reduce heat to medium low. Once it thickens to the consistency of pouring cream (3 - 5 minutes), adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Add beef back in (including plate juices). Simmer for 1 minute, then remove from stove immediately. (Note 4)
- Serve over pasta or egg noodles, sprinkled with chives if desired.
Recipe Notes:
- boneless rib eye (aka scotch fillet)
- boneless sirloin, sirloin steak tips
- beef tenderloin
Nutrition Information:
Beef Stroganoff recipe originally published January 2018, updated March 2019 for housekeeping matters, no change to recipe (because readers love it as it is!).
More quick dinner ideas you’ll love!
-
Quesadillas (Beef, Chicken or Veg)
-
A Mushroom Sauce for Steak, Chicken or anything!
-
Beef and Rice with Veggies (One Pot)
LIFE OF DOZER
” Dozer! Catch the water!”
And so he obliged. Well, attempted to. Oh so enthusiastically!
Cindy says
Hello! I made this recipe last night and my husband and I ABSOLUTELY loved it! He is Russian and he was a big fan…..so that means a lot in our household. Prior to this, I had tried different stroganoff recipes but this is by far, the favorite…super easy to make in less than an hour. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Nagi says
Thanks so much Cindy, that’s awesome to hear!
Tiffany M says
Nagi,
What do you think about using leftover sirloin steak? We cooked it on the grill last night to medium rare. Could I just skip the searing step and add the leftover meat to the sauce at the end??
Nagi says
Sounds like a great idea to use up leftovers! Enjoy – N x
Jerry Skalky says
Thanks Nagi for the wonderful Beef Stroganoff recipe. We had a lot of Stroganoff recipies from past years but they were not quite up to our liking, so I decided to bump around the internet for something new and found yours. We followed it to a T and it was “over the top”. The only addition was to squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon juice over the top after plateing….(my wifes idea)…turned out to be a nice enhancement..Thanks again Nagi for a concise, easy to follow, fast great recipe. We’ve decided to visit your site for other delicious recipes as well..
Jerry S. In California..
Nagi says
I’m so glad you loved it Jerry, thanks for letting me know what you think!
Leslie says
What a fabulous recipe – I never thought to add Dijon before but it really adds another depth of flavour. Thanks so much!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you love it Leslie!
Leslie says
Sorry, I forgot the stars!
Karla says
Quick, easy and delicious- perfect family weeknight meal. My husband and i just polished off some of this and are looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow. But your veg lasagne is still my fave – i am looking forward to trying more of your recipes. Thanks!
Nagi says
Thanks Karla! I’m glad to hear you are enjoying my recipes! – Nx
Maxine says
Husband is not a stroganoff fan, but he loved this recipe. In fact everyone at table had seconds because it was that good. Will make again and again and again.
Nagi says
SO great to hear you’ve converted him Maxine!
Neelie says
Nagi, it’s not ideal, but how do you think it’ll turn out with ground beef? I’ve got two little ones, and need to to make dinner quickly. Thanks!
Blake says
I made this with ground beef, turned out just fine. Had to make my own sour cream with buttermilk powder, water and lemon juice. Still came out great
Shannon K says
Can I use boneless strip steak?
Rowena hagunos says
Well this recipe is more yummy than the other recipe that i try to cook….thank you
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Rowena!
Agill says
Made this a few times. My husband always requests this recipe. It’s so easy to put together. I appreciate the level of detailed you’ve put into explaining choosing the right cut of meat for this recipe. Love your blog – it’s the FIRST place I go for meal planning ideas!!
Loretta says
Great, easy recipe! I used shallots instead of onions, crimini mushrooms and a dash of worcestshire sauce. Excellent!
Farrah says
Hello Nagi! Thanks for sharing this recipe! I just tried this tonight and everything was going perfectly well especially the aroma when my daughter and I dumped greek yogurt for the same amount as the sour cream and it smelled and tasted sour from that point onwards. How should we have corrected the recipe?
Frank B. says
By far the best beef Stroganoff recipe I have made. Rest of the family said the same. Thanks for sharing!
Nagi says
Awesome Frank!!
Jennifer says
I’m so glad I chose this recipe! When I cook beefy, sauce meals, they always seem blah to me. I’m always searching for a special ingredient to put something over the top. The Dijon really made this dish special. I wrote this recipe in my book for a forever keeper!
Nagi says
Woah that’s awesome Jennifer, I’m so happy you loved it!
Stephanie says
So…how do you recommend reheating? As you said, I don’t want to over cook the beef, but I do love some leftovers!!!
Nagi says
Hi Stephanie, I usually just reheat in the microwave – N x
Kate Bolen says
WOW. My new go-to recipe for Beef Stroganoff, for sure. Made this tonight and used leftover pot roast gravy (from a slow cooker recipe I like) in place of the beef broth. I will definitely be doing THAT again. Delicious! Also, I was a little short on sour cream but made up the difference with Greek yogurt, which worked (3:1 cream to yogurt ratio). The ribeye though is really what made the difference. Spot on! Thanks!
Yorick says
I’m going to try this with slow braised beef chuck (as I’ve had the beef strips version many times), like a Bolognese Ragu I recent did, and add the sour cream at the end once the beef is pulled apart. Tossed with fettuccine. Can’t wait!
Chsweep says
This is great! The recipe I’ve been looking for! Very simple ingredients, easy to make, and fantastic to eat!
Nagi says
Thanks so much for the awesome feedback!
Araya says
Spot on, delicious! Great recipe. We added rib eye strips charcoal grilled to medium rare, topped it with rosemary in addition to the chives and plated it with drizzled chile habanero. Thank you!!
Nagi says
Sounds divine Araya!
Tami Brennan says
I have tried many Stroganoff recipes and they are never that great- until yours!! Thank you for sharing this. The leftovers were delicious as well!
Nagi says
Wahoo! That’s awesome Tami ❤️