Creamy Beef Stroganoff Recipe: The 30-Minute Russian Classic You Need Now
The Ultimate Beef Stroganoff Recipe That’ll Make Your Taste Buds Dance! – Ever found yourself craving something rich, creamy, and soul-satisfyingly savory? Me too!
Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients
- 1 tbls olive oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp butter
- 250g mushrooms
- 500g beef fillet
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 150g crème fraîche
- 1 tbsp English mustard
- 100ml beef stock
- Fresh parsley, for topping
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan then add the sliced onion and cook on a medium heat until completely softened, so around 15 mins, adding a little splash of water if they start to stick at all.
- Crush in the garlic and cook for a 2-3 mins further, then add the butter.
- Once the butter is foaming a little, add the mushrooms and cook for around 5 mins until completely softened. Season everything well, then tip onto a plate.
- Tip the flour into a bowl with a big pinch of salt and pepper, then toss the steak in the seasoned flour.
- Add the steak pieces to the pan, splashing in a little oil if the pan looks particularly dry, and fry for 3-4 mins, until well coloured.
- Tip the onions and mushrooms back into the pan. Whisk the crème fraîche, mustard and beef stock together, then pour into the pan.
- Cook over a medium heat for around 5 mins. Scatter with parsley, then serve with pappardelle or rice.
Nutrition
That’s where this incredible beef stroganoff recipe comes in — a dish that’s seriously transformed my weeknight dinner game.
And trust me, once you try this version, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t been making it weekly!
What Makes This Beef Stroganoff Special?
Let’s get real — not all beef stroganoff recipes are created equal. This Russian classic has been reinvented countless times, but this version? It hits all the right notes.
The secret? Taking the time to properly develop flavors at each stage.
Yeah, you could rush it — but those extra few minutes of caramelizing the onions and mushrooms make a world of difference. And the tender beef fillet coated in a silky, tangy sauce? Absolutely worth every minute spent in the kitchen!
A Brief History Bite — Where Does Beef Stroganoff Come From?
Before we dive into the cooking, let’s talk origins for a sec. Beef stroganoff hails from Russia and was named after the influential Stroganov family in the 19th century.
The original beef stroganoff recipe featured sautéed pieces of beef served in a sauce with sour cream — not too different from what we’re making today!
The dish has traveled the world and evolved along the way, but this version stays pretty darn close to its Russian roots while being totally doable for home cooks. No fancy chef skills required!
Ingredients of the Beef Stroganoff Recipe You’ll Need
Ready to make magic happen in your kitchen? Here’s everything you’ll need for this beef stroganoff recipe:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 250g mushrooms, sliced
- 500g beef fillet, sliced
- 1 tablespoon plain flour
- 150g crème fraîche
- 1 tablespoon English mustard
- 100ml beef stock
- Fresh parsley for topping
Each ingredient plays a crucial role — from the butter that adds richness to the English mustard that gives that distinctive tangy kick!
Let’s Get Cooking! The Step-by-Step Process
Follow the following step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Creating the Flavor Base
First things first — we need to build our flavor foundation. And it all starts with those onions!
Heat that tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick frying pan and add your sliced onion. Now, here’s where patience becomes your secret ingredient.
Cook those onions on medium heat for about 15 minutes until they’re completely softened and starting to caramelize. If they start sticking (they probably will), just add a tiny splash of water to release all those flavorful bits.
This might seem like a long time for just onions — but trust me, properly softened onions create the backbone of an incredible beef stroganoff! There’s simply no shortcut worth taking here.
Step 2: Adding Layers of Flavor
Once your onions are beautifully soft, crush in that garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes. The aroma? Absolutely heavenly!
Now add the butter and let it foam slightly before tossing in your mushrooms. Cook these for about 5 minutes until they’re completely softened and have released their moisture.
Season everything well with salt and pepper — don’t be shy here! — then transfer this mixture to a plate temporarily.
Why remove them? Because we want to give our beef the spotlight for perfect browning!
Step 3: Preparing and Cooking the Beef
Place your tablespoon of flour in a bowl with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss the beef fillet pieces in this seasoned flour until they’re lightly coated.
This little trick helps create a beautiful texture on the meat and will help thicken our sauce later.
Add those flour-dusted beef pieces to your now-empty pan (add a splash more oil if needed) and fry for just 3-4 minutes until they’re browned on the outside but still tender inside.
Overcooking is the enemy of perfect beef stroganoff! You want that beef to remain juicy and tender.
Step 4: Bringing It All Together
Now for the exciting part — reuniting all our ingredients! Return those mushrooms and onions to the pan with your beef. In a separate bowl, whisk together the crème fraîche, English mustard, and beef stock until smooth, then pour this mixture into the pan.
Cook everything together over a medium heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and all the flavors to mingle. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon but still remain silky and pourable.
Is your mouth watering yet? Because mine sure is!
Serving Your Beef Stroganoff — The Grand Finale!
This beef stroganoff recipe pairs beautifully with either pappardelle pasta or fluffy white rice — both are fantastic for soaking up that incredible sauce.
Before serving, scatter freshly chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color and fresh flavor that cuts through the richness.
And can we talk about leftovers? If you somehow manage to have any (which, let’s be honest, is unlikely!), beef stroganoff actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop further in the fridge.
Just reheat gently to prevent the sauce from splitting.
Troubleshooting Your Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Steps you can try to maximize this beef stroganoff recipe:
Help! My Sauce Curdled!
Been there, done that! If your sauce starts looking grainy or separated, reduce the heat immediately and try whisking in a tablespoon of room-temperature water. The most common cause is heating too quickly or at too high a temperature.
Can I Use Different Cuts of Beef?
Absolutely! While beef fillet gives you the most tender result, you could use sirloin or ribeye with great results. If budget is a concern, try chuck steak cut into strips — just increase the cooking time to ensure tenderness.
Making It Ahead?
This beef stroganoff recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to prep ahead, cook everything except adding the crème fraîche. Refrigerate the base, then reheat gently and stir in the crème fraîche just before serving.
Why You Need To Make This Beef Stroganoff Recipe Tonight!
There’s something magical about that first bite of perfectly made beef stroganoff — the way the tender beef and earthy mushrooms complement each other, all wrapped in that creamy, tangy sauce. It’s comfort food that’s somehow both homey AND sophisticated!
Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself (because you absolutely deserve it!), this recipe delivers serious flavor with minimal fuss. And isn’t that what great home cooking is all about?
So grab those ingredients, set aside a little time to let those flavors develop properly, and prepare to fall in love with this classic dish all over again. Your taste buds will thank you!
Have you tried making beef stroganoff before? Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions — I’d love to hear from you!
