Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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updated May 30, 2019
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Credit: Joe Lingeman

In this beef stroganoff, hearty pieces of inexpensive beef cook alongside mushrooms, onion, and broth in the slow cooker.

Serves4

Makes8 cups

Prep15 minutes

Cook6 hours to 8 hours

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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Family-friendly classics don’t have to start with a can of condensed soup. This easy beef stroganoff is just as comforting as the one you grew up with, but is made with fresh mushrooms and a simple gravy that comes together as the ingredients braise in the slow cooker. It requires minimal upfront prep (no stovetop browning!), meaning you can toss in all the ingredients in the morning and then return to a warm dinner in the evening.

In this beef stroganoff, hearty pieces of inexpensive beef cook alongside mushrooms, onion, and broth in the slow cooker. Just before serving, you’ll stir in sour cream to thicken the sauce, giving it a rich and creamy texture. Serve this hearty stew over buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or polenta for a cozy end to a cold winter’s day.

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Choose Your Ingredients Wisely

When beef stroganoff is on the menu, leave the lean steaks and expensive cuts on the shelf and reach for inexpensive stew meat instead. Tough cuts like chuck or bottom round beef are the best choices for braised meat stews like this stroganoff because they contain collagen. The collagen breaks down into gelatin over long periods of moist heat cooking. The result? Meltingly tender beef.

Learn more: Food Science: Why Tougher Meats Make Good Braises

The coziest part of beef stroganoff is the creamy gravy coating the pieces of beef and mushroom. The sauce starts when you coat the stew meat in flour, which thickens the savory sauce during the braise. For a silky-rich finishing touch, stir or whisk in sour cream. Choose full-fat sour cream — reduced-fat or fat-free sour cream or even Greek yogurt are more likely to curdle. To further prevent curdling, you can temper the sauce by whisking the sour cream with a few spoonfuls of the sauce to warm the cream before adding it to the final dish.

Beef Stroganoff Variations

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Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

In this beef stroganoff, hearty pieces of inexpensive beef cook alongside mushrooms, onion, and broth in the slow cooker.

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 6 hours to 8 hours

Makes 8 cups

Serves 4

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray

  • 2 pounds

    chuck or bottom round beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

  • 1/4 cup

    all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/4 teaspoons

    kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper

  • 8 ounces

    cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/4-inch thick

  • 1

    small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)

  • 2 cloves

    garlic, minced

  • 1 1/4 cups

    low-sodium beef broth

  • 2 tablespoons

    Worcestershire sauce

  • 8 ounces

    dried egg noodles

  • 2 tablespoons

    unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 cup

    full-fat sour cream (8 ounces)

  • 2 tablespoons

    chopped Italian parsley leaves (optional)

Instructions

  1. Coat a 5-quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray. Place the beef, flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and toss until the beef is evenly coated. Transfer the beef and any flour left in the bowl to the slow cooker. Add the mushrooms, onion, garlic, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir to combine. Cover and cook until the beef is tender, 6 to 8 hours on the LOW setting, or 3 to 4 hours on the HIGH setting.

  2. 30 minutes before you are ready to eat, cook egg noodles according to package directions. Drain, toss with the butter, and set aside.

  3. Gradually and slowly stir the sour cream into the stroganoff. Serve over buttered noodles and sprinkle with the parsley if desired.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: The stroganoff can be made up to 2 days in advance. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove over low heat.

Storage: Refrigerate stroganoff and pasta in separate airtight containers for up to 2 days.

Filed in:
Beef
Cooking Methods
dairy
dinner
easy
Ingredient