When it’s chilly outside, comfort food really hits the spot. And one of my favorite recipes is this super easy homemade beef stroganoff recipe!
Tender sirloin is sliced in strips and cooked in butter with sliced mushrooms and garlic, then coated in a thick, rich white sauce. Served on a bed of egg noodles and paired with a side salad and crusty bread, it’s an excellent dish for family dinners, quiet date nights, or a midweek supper.
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What Is Beef Stroganoff?
Beef stroganoff is a hearty dish that is usually composed of strips of sirloin beef, mushrooms, and onions in a sour cream based sauce. It is traditionally served hot over a bed of egg noodles, but can also be served over rice or potatoes.
This dish has an interesting history. It is named after Count Pavel Stroganoff, a Russian aristocrat who was born in Paris, France inn 1774. Stroganoff was quite the traveler, having served as a diplomat to Britain and as a general in the Napoleonic Wars. Like many Russian elite, he hired a French chef who was able to create French-inspired food that was carefully catered to the Russian palate.
Stroganoff’s chef, who remains unknown, created the dish named after his master by seasoning beef with French mustard and topping it with Russian sour cream. This dish became known as beef stroganoff, and it won a cooking competition held in St. Petersburg, Russia, in the 1890s by the chef who created it.
From there, the dish slowly spread to kitchens throughout the world. It rose to popularity in the United States in the 1950s and has remained a classic comfort food recipe since then.
Do You Have Any Tips or Tricks to Make the Best Stroganoff?
Yes! This is one of my favorite dishes, so I have a few tricks and tips up my sleeve.
- Be sure to cut your meat against the grain. This means that it your cuts will be opposite the way the muscle fibers run.
- Cutting sirloin is easier when the meat is partially frozen. If your meat is fresh, put it into the freezer for about half an hour before cutting it.
- If the sour cream curdles when you add it, try tempering it next time. Add a small amount of hot broth to the sour cream and stir, then add the warmed sour cream to the pan.
- The perfect sauce consistency varies from person to person. If you want the sauce thicker, whisk together 1/4 cup water + 1 tablespoon of flour, then whisk into the sauce and heat. If you want it to be thinner, add more sour cream.
Do You Need Any Special Equipment to Make Beef Stroganoff?
You can use any large skillet to make our easy beef stroganoff recipe, but I like to use my electric skillet. I like how easy it is to control the heat. And with this model (the Presto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet) cleanup is super easy!
The heating element is removable, so you can put the skillet basin and lid in the dishwasher. I LOVE this aspect of my skillet! My old one never fit into my sink properly so it was always a struggle to clean.
And for storage, the handles fold into the heating element, and all of that fits inside the skillet. That way, it saves space in the cabinet because the handles aren’t sticking out. I have to say that this is my favorite electric skillet ever!
Directions
- Slice the sirloin across the grain in thin strips. Salt and pepper the strips to taste, then toss with flour.
- Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Lightly brown beef strips, then add mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Cook until tender. Remove from pan.
- Add beef stock into pan drippings 1 cup at a time, whisking between additions. Lower heat and simmer about 5 minutes.
- Replace meat mixture in pan. Stir in Worcestershire, sherry, Dijon, paprika, and sour cream.
- Simmer over low heat for ten minutes or until thickened and warmed through. Do Not Boil. Serve over hot egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Looking for More Main Dishes?
- Sausage and Cheese Stuffed Shells are tangy, flavorful, and great for crowds
- If you’re going light, try our Baked Tilapia with Mango-Jalapeno Salsa
- If you’re looking for easy, our 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is just what you need
Easy Homemade Beef Stroganoff
Difficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesTender sirloin is sliced in strips and cooked in butter with sliced mushrooms and garlic, then coated in a thick, rich white sauce.
Ingredients
3 lbs beef sirloin
Salt and pepper to taste
1/8 – 1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter
8 oz white mushrooms, sliced
1 large onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
1 tablespoon sherry
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 cup sour cream
Directions
- Slice the sirloin across the grain in thin strips. Salt and pepper the strips to taste, then toss with flour.
- Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Lightly brown beef strips, then add mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Cook until tender. Remove from pan.
- Add beef stock into pan drippings 1 cup at a time, whisking between additions. Lower heat and simmer about 5 minutes.
- Replace meat mixture in pan. Stir in Worcestershire, sherry, Dijon, paprika, and sour cream.
- Simmer over low heat for ten minutes or until thickened and warmed through. Do Not Boil. Serve over hot egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- You can substitute ribeye or round steak for the sirloin. Ribeye is more tender; round steak is less tender than sirloin,
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I ADORE beef stroganoff! And I really enjoy learning the history of foods that I like. Thanks! I have printed off this recipe.
I hope you enjoy it. It’s so delicious for such an easy recipe.
I love the history behind this recipe it’s very interesting! The recipe sounds easy to make. Thanks for sharing.
I agree! It’s just a couple of steps beyond the cream of mushroom soup stroganoff, but so much tastier!
Yum! Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
I am horribly addicted to beef stroganoff. I practically lick the plate.
A little classic comfort food. I love the tips section and the back story.
I now have to go make this, HaHa
Thanks! It’s always fun to learn a little about food.
That looks so good. I’m a fan of stroganoff and have been craving it lately so this may be on my meal plan next week lol.
With the chilly weather we’ve been having, it’s perfect for this time of year!