Okay, so, listen – I’m *always* on the hunt for dinners that are, like, actually doable on a weeknight. You know? Something that doesn’t involve a million dishes or hours chained to the stove. That’s how this Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream became a staple in my house. It’s seriously the answer to my “what’s for dinner?!” prayers.
My friend Sarah first told me about it. She swore it was faster than takeout, and I didn’t believe her… until I tried it! Now, even *I* can whip it up without a fuss. I’ve tweaked it over the years, adding little things here and there, but the core of it is still pure, creamy, beefy goodness. It’s the kind of comfort food that makes everyone happy, and honestly, that’s what I’m all about. If you’re looking for a simple, scrumptious meal that the whole family will devour, trust me, this is it!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
Seriously, what’s not to love? This stroganoff is a total winner. Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:
Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal
I’m talking from fridge to table in, like, *thirty minutes*. Yes, really!
Rich and Creamy Flavor
That sour cream sauce? Oh my gosh. It’s so decadent and coats everything perfectly. My favorite part is how it makes your taste buds sing!
Tender Beef
No tough, chewy bits here! The beef is perfectly seared and stays super tender.
Family-Friendly
Even picky eaters will gobble this up. I swear, it’s magic! My kids always ask for seconds (and sometimes thirds!).
Ingredients for Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! This isn’t one of those recipes where you need to search for crazy hard-to-find stuff. Nope! Everything is pretty basic, but trust me, the quality makes a difference. So grab these goodies:
Beef
You’ll want about 600g / 1.2 lb of scotch fillet steak – or boneless rib eye works great too. It needs to be tender, you know?
Oil
Grab 2 tbsp of vegetable oil. We’re gonna need it divided, so keep that in mind!
Onion
One large onion, sliced. Two small ones will do in a pinch, don’t worry.
Mushrooms
300g / 10 oz of mushrooms, sliced. Don’t slice them too thin, or they’ll disappear!
Butter
40g / 3 tbsp of butter. Because butter makes everything better, right?
Flour
2 tbsp of flour. All-purpose is perfect!
Broth
2 cups / 500 ml of beef broth. I like to use the salt-reduced kind, but hey, you do you!
Mustard
1 tbsp of Dijon mustard. Adds a little *zing*!
Sour Cream
150 ml / 2/3 cup of sour cream. Full fat is my go-to, for maximum creaminess!
Seasoning
Salt and pepper. To taste, of course!
Pasta
250 – 300 g / 8 – 10 oz of pasta or egg noodles. Your choice! I love egg noodles best.
Garnish
Chopped chives. Optional, but they make it look fancy! They’re just so darn cute.
How to Prepare This Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
Okay, ready to cook? This is the fun part! Just follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying a bowl of creamy stroganoff in no time. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks!
Preparing the Beef
First things first, let’s get that steak ready. Lay your steak flat and give it a good whack with your fist (or a rolling pin, if you’re feeling proper) until it’s about 3/4cm or 1/3″ thick. This helps tenderize it. Then, slice it into thin strips, about 5mm or 1/5″ wide. And hey, don’t be shy about discarding any excess fat you see – we don’t need that!
Browning the Beef
Now, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large skillet over HIGH heat. Seriously, get it HOT! This is key to getting a good sear. Scatter *half* the beef in the skillet – don’t overcrowd it! Quickly spread it around with tongs and leave it untouched for about 30 seconds to brown. Then, flip it as best you can (it’s okay if it’s not perfect!) and leave it for another 30 seconds. Remove it to a plate. Repeat with the remaining beef and the other tbsp of oil. Don’t worry if it’s still a bit pink inside – it’ll finish cooking in the sauce!
Sautéing the Vegetables
Turn the heat down to medium-high. Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt. Then, add the sliced onions and cook for about a minute, until they start to soften. Now, toss in the mushrooms and cook them until they’re nice and golden brown. And don’t forget to scrape the bottom of the pan to get all those yummy golden bits off – that’s where the real flavor is!
Making the Sauce
Sprinkle the flour over the onions and mushrooms and cook, stirring constantly, for about a minute. This helps thicken the sauce. Now, add *half* the beef broth while stirring like crazy to avoid lumps. Once that’s all mixed in, add the remaining broth. Stir, then add the sour cream and Dijon mustard. Stir it all together until it’s nicely incorporated. Don’t freak out if it looks a little split – the sour cream will “melt” as it heats up!
Combining Beef and Sauce
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it thicken to the consistency of pouring cream – this should take about 3-5 minutes. Give it a taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Finally, add the beef back into the skillet, including any juices that have collected on the plate (more flavor!). Simmer for just a minute, then remove the skillet from the stove immediately.
Serving
Serve your amazing stroganoff over your favorite pasta or egg noodles. And if you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle it with some chopped chives. Ta-da! Dinner is served!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
Okay, so sometimes you gotta make do with what you’ve got, right? Here are some swaps and tips to keep your Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream delicious, even if you’re missing an ingredient or two!
Beef Options
Can’t find scotch fillet? No worries! Sirloin or even flank steak work great too. Just make sure to slice them thinly against the grain for max tenderness. You could even use stew meat, but it’ll need longer to cook until tender, so watch out!
Sour Cream Alternatives
If you’re out of sour cream (gasp!), Greek yogurt is a pretty good substitute. It’ll give you that tangy creaminess. Crème fraîche works too for an extra decadent twist – yum!
Mushroom Variations
I usually go for classic button mushrooms, but feel free to experiment! Cremini or even shiitake mushrooms would add a really nice earthy flavor. Just use whatever looks good at the store!
Gluten-Free Option
Need this to be gluten-free? Easy peasy! Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta and swap the regular flour for a gluten-free blend. Bob’s Red Mill makes a good one! It’s almost *too* easy.
Tips for the Best Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
Wanna take your stroganoff from good to *amazing*? Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned over the years. Trust me, they make a difference!
Don’t Overcook the Beef
Seriously, this is the biggest mistake you can make! You want a quick sear, not shoe leather. High heat and a short cooking time are key for super tender beef. Don’t be tempted to cook it longer “just to be sure” – it’ll get tough!
Use High-Quality Ingredients
Okay, I know it sounds obvious, but it’s true! Using good-quality beef and sour cream really elevates the flavor. Splurge a little – you deserve it!
Adjust Seasoning to Taste
Don’t be afraid to season generously! Salt and pepper are your friends. Taste the sauce as it simmers and add more until it’s just right for *you*. Everyone’s taste buds are different!
Serve Immediately
This stroganoff is best enjoyed right away, while the sauce is creamy and the beef is tender. Letting it sit too long can make the pasta soggy. So, plate it up and dig in!
Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
Okay, so you’ve got this amazing stroganoff… what do you serve with it? Here are a few ideas to make it a complete meal. I always think about what will complement that rich, creamy sauce, you know?
Side Dishes
A simple green salad is always a winner! Something light and fresh to balance the richness. Or, some steamed green beans or broccoli would be great, too! Easy peasy!
Bread
Crusty bread is *essential*. You need something to soak up all that delicious sauce! Seriously, don’t skip the bread. Trust me on this one!
Drinks
A light red wine, like a Pinot Noir, would be lovely. Or, if you’re not a wine drinker, some sparkling water with a slice of lemon is super refreshing! It cuts through the richness perfectly.
Storing and Reheating Your Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
Got leftovers? Lucky you! But listen, a little TLC is needed to keep that stroganoff delicious the next day. Here’s how I do it:
Storage
Pop that leftover stroganoff into an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll happily keep for about 3-4 days. Just try to get it in the fridge within a couple of hours of cooking, okay?
Reheating
Stovetop is best – gently reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s warmed through. You can also microwave it, but be careful not to overcook it! The sauce might get a *little* bit thinner, but it’ll still taste amazing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things folks often wonder about when making this Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream. Don’t be shy – cooking should be fun, not stressful!
Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely! If you don’t have steak, ground beef works in a pinch – just brown it really well and drain off any excess fat. Stew meat is another option, but you’ll need to simmer it longer until it’s super tender. Honestly, the steak is best, but hey, use what you’ve got!
Can I make this ahead of time?
You *can* prep some of the ingredients ahead – like slicing the onions and mushrooms, or even browning the beef. But I wouldn’t recommend making the entire dish ahead. The sour cream sauce can separate and get a little weird when reheated. Best to assemble it right before serving!
Can I freeze Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream?
Ehhh, I wouldn’t. Freezing can mess with the texture of the sour cream sauce – it can become grainy and watery. Plus, the pasta can get a bit mushy. If you *really* need to freeze it, try to use it within a month, but honestly, it’s so quick to make fresh, I’d just whip up a new batch!
What kind of pasta should I use?
Egg noodles are classic, and they’re my personal fave! But really, any pasta shape that can grab onto that creamy sauce will work. Penne, fettuccine, even rotini would be delicious! It’s all about what you like best!
Nutritional Information for Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
Just a heads up: I’m no scientist! This is a rough estimate, okay? It’ll change based on what you use!
Disclaimer
Please remember this is just an estimate! Brands and amounts can change everything, so don’t take this as gospel!
Enjoy Your Delicious Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream!
There you have it! My go-to, super easy beef stroganoff recipe. I truly hope you love it as much as my family does! Seriously, let me know what you think!
Share Your Experience
Did you try it? How did it turn out? Leave a comment below! I wanna hear all about it! Any tweaks or fun additions? Spill the beans!
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Disgustingly Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-5 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe with Sour Cream is a quick and delicious meal. It features tender beef strips in a creamy, flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
- 600 g / 1.2 lb scotch fillet steak / boneless rib eye
- 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
- 2 cups / 500 ml beef broth , preferably salt reduced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 150 ml / 2/3 cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper
- 250 – 300 g / 8 – 10 oz pasta or egg noodles of choice
- 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.
- Serve over pasta or egg noodles, sprinkled with chives if desired.
Notes
- Use good quality beef for best results.
- Adjust seasoning to your liking.
- Serve immediately for optimal flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 150mg