Classic Beef Stroganoff

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/13/21
Tested by
Diana Andrews
Diana Andrews
Tested by Diana Andrews
Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for the Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer and product tester at Food Network. 
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Classic Beef Stroganoff

The Spruce / Qi Ai
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 32 mins
Total: 42 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
536 Calories
35g Fat
5g Carbs
47g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 536
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 15g 73%
Cholesterol 178mg 59%
Sodium 538mg 23%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 47g
Vitamin C 3mg 13%
Calcium 57mg 4%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 650mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Beef stroganoff is a Russian recipe that originated in the 1800s and has stood the test of time, becoming a standard American comfort food. This version maintains all the classic flavors of the traditional dish, combining lean beef and onions with a creamy sauce made of a roux, beef broth, and sour cream. A sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley adds color and flavor to the finished dish.

Serve this delicious beef stroganoff over hot buttered noodles, rice, or potatoes, or even split buttered biscuits. Add a basic tossed salad or side vegetable for a tasty, satisfying meal.

1:44

Click Play to See This Classic Creamy Beef Stroganoff Recipe Come Together

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"Classic, creamy, rich beef stroganoff is comfort food at its best. This recipe is streamlined to be quick and easy. Served on top of a tangle of buttery noodles for a satisfying meal." —Diana Andrews

Classic Beef Stroganoff Test Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds lean beef (top sirloin or similar)

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup beef stock, preferably unsalted or low sodium

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, sliced 1/4-inch-thick lengthwise

  • 3 tablespoons sour cream, at room temperature

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, garnish

For Serving:

  • Hot buttered noodles, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Classic beef stroganoff ingredients

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  2. Pat the meat dry with paper towels. Cut the beef against the grain into 2-inch strips about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle the meat with the salt and pepper and set aside.

    Cut the beef against the grain into 2-inch strips about 1/2-inch thick

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  3. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

    Melting butter

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  4. Blend in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.

    Flour and butter mixture

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  5. Gradually pour in the beef stock, stirring and cooking until thickened and smooth.

    Gradually pour in the beef broth into the flour mixture

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  6. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and the remaining tablespoon of butter over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring frequently until the onion is tender and translucent, about 4 minutes.

    Sauté onions in butter

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  7. Push the onion to one side of the skillet. Add the meat in batches and sear until light brown on both sides. Once done, push the seared meat into the onion to make room for the next batch.

    Browning beef for stroganoff

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  8. Once all of the beef is browned, add the beef and onion to the thickened sauce. Cover and cook on low, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.

    Add the beef and onions to the thickened sauce

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  9. Take a tablespoon or two of the hot sauce and add to the sour cream; mix well. This is called tempering and prevents the sour cream from curdling.

    Add hot sauce and sour cream to the beef mixture

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  10. Stir the sour cream into the sauce and heat through but do not boil.

    Add sour cream to the beef mixture

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  11. Arrange the beef stroganoff on a platter over buttered noodles, if desired, and garnish with the fresh chopped parsley. 

    Classic beef stroganoff in a baking dish

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  12. Enjoy.

What's the Best Beef for Stroganoff?

This recipe calls for top sirloin, which is a tender cut of meat. Because the beef isn't cooked for too long in this recipe, the beef shouldn't be a cut that is tough or requires a long, slow cooking time. If you cannot find top sirloin, you can use boneless rib-eye steak, filet mignon tips, or beef tenderloin. (Tenderloin is pricey, but it is excellent in stroganoff.) If you happen to use a tougher cut of beef, just take note that it will need more simmering time but be mindful to not overcook.

Recipe Variations

  • Add 4 to 6 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms and 1 extra tablespoon of butter or olive oil to the skillet along with the sliced onion.
  • Sauté 1 clove of finely minced garlic for about 2 minutes; add to the beef and sauce mixture. Alternatively, add about 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to the sauce mixture.
  • For an extra saucy stroganoff, increase the flour to 2 tablespoons and increase the beef broth to 1 1/2 cups. Double the sour cream to 6 tablespoons.
  • Instead of parsley, garnish the stroganoff with thinly sliced fresh chives or green onion tops.
  • For those with lactose issues, make dairy-free beef stroganoff.