Beef Stroganoff is a timeless dish known for its rich and creamy sauce, tender beef, and savory mushrooms. It’s a perfect balance of flavors, making it a comforting meal to enjoy during any season. The addition of Dijon mustard adds a slight tang that elevates the classic cream sauce to a new level of deliciousness. This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something hearty yet quick to prepare. The succulent beef combined with a luscious, velvety sauce pairs beautifully with egg noodles. Plus, it’s easily customizable – you can switch the beef for chicken or even go meatless by using more mushrooms for a vegetarian twist.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef sirloin, cut into thin strips
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked and drained
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add beef strips, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in flour, cooking for an additional minute to form a roux.
- Gradually add the beef broth, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Lower heat and stir in sour cream and Dijon mustard. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Return the beef strips to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Serve the beef stroganoff over cooked egg noodles, garnished with fresh parsley.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 480 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Why Beef Stroganoff is the Best Comfort Food
At its core, Beef Stroganoff is all about comfort. The creamy sauce, tender strips of beef, and sautéed mushrooms make it the perfect dish for chilly evenings or when you need a little extra warmth from your meal. The richness of sour cream combined with beef broth and a touch of Dijon mustard gives it a depth of flavor that is both savory and tangy, resulting in a balanced dish that feels indulgent but not too heavy.
This recipe’s success is rooted in its ability to provide comfort while remaining relatively simple to prepare. You only need basic ingredients like beef, onions, mushrooms, and sour cream, all of which are easy to find and affordable. Despite the simplicity of its components, the result is a sophisticated and flavorful dish, one that can easily become a family favorite.
Benefits of This Recipe
- Quick and Easy to Make: This recipe can be prepared in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. It doesn’t require hours of slow cooking, yet the flavors develop beautifully in a short amount of time.
- Nutritious and Balanced: The dish contains a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The beef provides essential protein and iron, while mushrooms add fiber and B vitamins. Egg noodles offer a hearty carbohydrate base, and the sour cream provides a healthy dose of fat without making the dish too greasy.
- Customizable: One of the best things about Beef Stroganoff is its versatility. You can easily adapt the recipe to suit your dietary needs or preferences. For a lighter version, use low-fat sour cream and lean beef cuts like sirloin or tenderloin. If you’re vegetarian, swap the beef for a variety of hearty mushrooms, such as portobello or shiitake, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Perfect for Leftovers: Beef Stroganoff tastes just as good, if not better, the next day. The flavors have time to meld and deepen when left in the fridge overnight, making it an ideal dish for meal prep. Simply store it in an airtight container and reheat for a quick lunch or dinner later in the week.
A Dish with a Rich History
Beef Stroganoff is more than just a delicious meal – it’s a dish steeped in history. It first appeared in Russian cookbooks in the mid-1800s and was often served at banquets or special events. It was originally made with small cubes of beef, smothered in a mustard and bouillon-based sauce, and enriched with a spoonful of sour cream. Its association with the Stroganov family, known for their wealth and influence in Russia, gave the dish a prestigious aura.
During the early 20th century, the recipe spread internationally, reaching Western Europe and the United States, where it became particularly popular in the post-World War II era. In America, Beef Stroganoff became a quintessential comfort food, often prepared with canned soups or pre-packaged sauces to save time. However, this modern recipe brings the dish back to its roots by using fresh, simple ingredients that deliver a rich and flavorful meal.
The Role of Mushrooms in Stroganoff
Mushrooms play an important role in Beef Stroganoff, adding an earthy, umami flavor that balances the richness of the sour cream sauce. Sautéing mushrooms until golden enhances their flavor and brings out their natural sweetness, making them the perfect companion to the tender beef strips. Not only do mushrooms add flavor, but they also provide health benefits. They are rich in antioxidants and offer important vitamins like vitamin D, which can help boost your immune system and promote healthy bones.
If you’re a mushroom lover, this recipe is ideal for you. While the traditional recipe calls for common button mushrooms, feel free to experiment with other varieties like cremini, portobello, or even wild mushrooms like chanterelles. Each type of mushroom will impart its own unique flavor to the dish.
How to Make the Perfect Beef Stroganoff
While Beef Stroganoff is a straightforward recipe, there are a few tips and tricks that can take it from good to great:
- Choose the Right Cut of Beef: For the best results, use a tender cut of beef like sirloin or ribeye. These cuts cook quickly and stay tender in the creamy sauce. If you’re in a pinch, you can also use ground beef, but strips of sirloin or tenderloin offer a more authentic and luxurious texture.
- Sear the Beef First: When cooking the beef strips, make sure your pan is hot enough to give the meat a nice sear. Browning the beef adds depth to the flavor and helps lock in its juices, ensuring that the meat remains tender and juicy.
- Don’t Overcook the Beef: Overcooking beef can make it tough, so only cook it until it’s just browned on the outside. It will continue cooking when you return it to the sauce later, so there’s no need to keep it on the heat for too long.
- Use Full-Fat Sour Cream for Creaminess: Full-fat sour cream gives the dish a velvety texture and rich flavor. If you’re trying to cut down on calories, you can use light sour cream, but the full-fat version adds that extra bit of indulgence.
- Fresh Herbs for Garnish: Freshly chopped parsley adds a bright pop of color and freshness to the dish, cutting through the richness of the sauce. You could also try using dill for a more traditional Russian touch.
Perfect Pairings with Beef Stroganoff
This rich and hearty dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides and beverages. For a complete meal, serve it alongside:
- Egg Noodles: This is the classic pairing for Beef Stroganoff. The broad, buttery noodles are perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
- Rice or Mashed Potatoes: If you’re looking for an alternative to noodles, both rice and mashed potatoes work beautifully with Beef Stroganoff.
- A Green Vegetable: To add a bit of color and lighten up the plate, try serving your Stroganoff with a simple green vegetable like steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, or green beans.
For drinks, a rich red wine like a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon complements the hearty flavors of the dish. If you prefer white wine, a Chardonnay with buttery notes would pair nicely with the creamy sauce.
Conclusion:
Beef Stroganoff is the ultimate comfort food, blending rich, creamy flavors with tender beef and mushrooms to create a dish that’s satisfying on every level. Whether you’re cooking for your family, entertaining guests, or simply craving a warm, hearty meal on a cold evening, this recipe is sure to hit the spot. Its quick preparation, nutritious ingredients, and adaptable nature make it a versatile dish that everyone can enjoy.
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Beef Stroganoff
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Description
Beef Stroganoff is a timeless dish known for its rich and creamy sauce, tender beef, and savory mushrooms. It’s a perfect balance of flavors, making it a comforting meal to enjoy during any season. The addition of Dijon mustard adds a slight tang that elevates the classic cream sauce to a new level of deliciousness. This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something hearty yet quick to prepare. The succulent beef combined with a luscious, velvety sauce pairs beautifully with egg noodles. Plus, it’s easily customizable – you can switch the beef for chicken or even go meatless by using more mushrooms for a vegetarian twist.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef sirloin, cut into thin strips
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked and drained
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add beef strips, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in flour, cooking for an additional minute to form a roux.
- Gradually add the beef broth, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Lower heat and stir in sour cream and Dijon mustard. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Return the beef strips to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Serve the beef stroganoff over cooked egg noodles, garnished with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
