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 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!
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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!
This recipe is incredible! The sear is so important so make sure that pan is super hot. I used 3/4 tsp salt and about the same pepper. I also used salted butter (kerrygold) and regular broth. My dish was perfect this way and wasn’t too salty for me or my family. Really great recipe, thanks!!
Mmm. This is really good. So much better than canned or frozen. I am part German and enjoy dishes like this sometimes. I am also enjoying cooking in my retirement. Thanks
Delicious looking forward to making it again!!!! Used a thin cut ribeye worked really well my first time cooking a dish like this and it turned out amazingly well can’t believe it!!!! Bf loved it I’m proud of myself. Damn good recipe!!!
This was the best beef stroganoff I have had in my life.
My husband and I both went back for seconds.
He said it was delicious and that makes me feel so happy.
There was a little bit left and my husband bagged that for his breakie on toast.
It was a totally amazing meal.
Thank you Nagi.
This meal was really delicious, thank you for the recipe. I added a small amount (maybe one dessert spoon) of Worcestershire sauce as well, and we had it over rice, Yum.
Hi Nagi,
I tried this recipe but substituted sour cream with Greek yogurt. I read that Greek yogurt is a good substitute for sour cream but it didn’t really work in this recipe. The sauce curdled and it resembled egg drop soup haha!! Luckily it still tasted good. May I know what is a good substitute for sour cream? Sour cream is quite difficult to find in Malaysia and expensive. Thank you!!
Delicious! My Mum made this and it was very yum.
Glad you enjoyed it Georgia & Harry! Thanks for letting me know! N x
Thank you for this recipe, it was simple and very tasty.
You’re so welcome Michelle! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂 N x
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. I seared the meat as instructed, and it was super tender, and the sauce turned our flavour-full and delicious.
You’re so welcome Katharine! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂 N x
Made Beef Stroganoff many times but never as superb as your recipe.. A real winner in our house.
Thanks for publishing.
That’s so great to hear Dave! I’m so pleased you enjoyed this, thank you for letting me know! N x
Hey Nagi! I just made this for dinner tonight! It was so good. Creamy and tangy. And the beef was tender and juicy. We all enjoyed it v much. I used Chicken broth though, cos there was no beef broth in the fridge. Not sure if the taste would be a whole lot different. But ours is good! THANKS again!
Made recipe exactly as specified. Both my husband and two picky children loved it! We’ll be adding it to our rotation. The note section tips were magnificent. Thanks!
That’s terrific to hear Amanda! So glad you enjoyed this! N x
This was easy to make and divine to eat! Thanks for sharing with us.
That’s great to hear Rebecca! So pleased you enjoyed this! N xx
We absolutely loved this, and will certainly be making it again. The sauce is totally addictive though – I had to force myself to stop licking the spoon! 😋 Yum!
Hi all..
Great recipe but i tweeted it..i also added garlic and spring onions… also i used corn flour… i cooked beef first, took meat out and cooked garlic as this gives the oil or butter a garlic flavour then added onion when onion was nicely cooked i added mushrooms and spring onion and cooked mushrooms well then i added everything else except flour and sour cream.. i added the flour after 10 minutes of simmering on low heat… added the sour cream before i served with rice… yummy steak is tender…
Cool
Nagi, great recipe with perfect instructions! It’s a keeper, for sure.
I chose it because it was voted five star multiple times. I’d like to add my five stars to it, as well⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So great to hear Monika!! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed this – N x
Hunted high ‘n’ low for your recipe, again. Forgot I had texted it to myself, d’oh! Now I’ve also emailed it to me. I never want to lose it! Loved it that much! Gotta follow you!
Nagi! This is an awesome recipe; tried it tonight and my family kept asking for seconds! Took your advice and bought a good cut of meat with good marbling, and it was delicious! The mustard’s genius, added a nice kick to the sauce. Yums! Will definitely make it again!
Best,
Sze Min
Great to hear you and your family enjoyed this Sze! Thanks for letting me know 🙂 N x
The best beef stroganoff recipe! I just finished making it 10mins ago and I can’t wait for my husband to be home for lunch! I made myself a plate and gone in 2seconds. I’m going to have another one when he gets home. The cut of meat and the a few seconds sear made a lot of difference!
I just discovered your blog by accident and now I’m going to try your recipes!
Thank you so much!
Love hearing that Eva! So pleased you enjoyed this 🙂 N x
Just made this for dinner this evening. Fantastic recipe! We are not eating wheat these days so used potato starch with the same amount instead of either wheat flour or cornstarch. Worked very well with no flavor difference that either of us noticed. I’m allergic to mustard so replaced with some Worcestershire sauce. I couldn’t believe how well the sour cream blended in just like you said! We had mashed potatoes underneath and I think my hubby all but licked the plate. Thanks for such a delicious recipe! We’ll be doing this again!
This is delicious!😁 Thank you! My kids loved it!