Classic beef stroganoff is the ultimate comfort food: tender strips of beef folded into a rich, creamy sour-cream sauce with a whisper of tomato. It is the kind of hearty, soul-warming dish that turns an ordinary weeknight into something special — especially ladled over a mountain of buttery mashed potatoes. If you enjoy slow-simmered beef dishes, you will also love our Tender Beef Braised in Dark Beer.
Ingredients
- 500-600 g (1.1-1.3 lb) beef
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3-4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 5 tbsp sour cream, 20-25% fat
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt, black pepper, and chili flakes to taste
- 50 g (3.5 tbsp) butter
- Boiling water as needed
How to make it
- Slice the beef into thin plates, pound well, then cut into strips.
- Dredge in flour mixed with salt and seasonings; sear in batches until browned.
- Separately, fry the onion; add the garlic and return the beef to the pan.
- Stir in the tomato paste and butter; fry briefly.
- Add the sour cream, pour in enough boiling water to make a sauce, and braise until the meat is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and fresh herbs.
Tips
- Sear the beef in small batches — crowding the pan steams the meat instead of browning it, and browning is where the flavor comes from.
- Stir the sour cream in off high heat and never let the sauce boil hard afterward, or it can split.
- Slice the beef against the grain and pound it thin; this classic trick keeps every strip meltingly tender.
For another cozy beef dinner, try our Juicy Beef Meatballs in Tomato Sour Cream Sauce or Melt-in-Your-Mouth Braised Beef with Onions. And as always, cook beef to a safe internal temperature — the USDA publishes handy food-safety guidelines.
Nutrition (per 100 g): 182 kcal | Protein 9.8 g | Fat 8.8 g | Carbs 15.9 g