Beef Stroganoff – The classic dish of hearty chunks of beef and mushrooms in a creamy and tangy sauce…with one special ingredient!
Comfort food is just that, comforting. I have loved this dish in any form since I was a kid. Not sure if it is the beef or the sour cream. Probably both. I confess, I am even a huge fan of the condensed cream of mushroom soup and sour cream version of beef stroganoff, a tiny bit of childhood on a fork. But my grown up palate wanted to have something heartier, deeper, and richer. I have toyed with recipes over the years but this is by far the best version I have concocted to date.
I craved bolder flavors but not just tang from adding more sour cream. I wanted large tender chunks of beef, but despite this dish originally being an opulent creation for Russian royalty, tender filets are out of my budget. I refuse to use ground beef and even steaks that I cube myself are beyond the purse-strings. Being a busy single mom, the slow cooker is my friend. I opted to use tough chunks of stewing beef being made tender all day long in a delicious broth.
I’ve watched enough cooking programs to know that ‘brown’ food isn’t all that appealing, that chefs want color and vibrancy. I agree…it looks blah, but goodness, that is all that is blah about it. It is packed with zest, all the tang from the sour cream, the deep, rich beef flavor, and freshness provided from the parsley. I forgave it the blah appearance; I think you will too.
There are a few ingredients in this beef stroganoff that may seem nontraditional, but I promise, they are what has made the difference. I remember the first time I read that traditional Russian stroganoff had tomato paste it in, I was floored, since then I have learned to just be slightly more open minded… Dr Pepper, yes, nontraditional, but the carbonation really helps tenderize the beef and the bit of sweetness lends a depth to the broth that is eventually used in the main dish.
Update 2/6/15. Well I made this original post a year ago, before I even published my blog. I love cooking but I have missed eating/cooking some of my old favorites and I have wanted to re-do some of my original pictures that are horrible. So why not recook the favorites to get new pictures. It’s a win-win. Those of you who saw this original post, I’m happy you’re still around reading. If you didn’t see the original, I’m sure happy to have you hear now! It’s been a great year.
Ingredients
In the slow cooker
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper*
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves grated garlic (or minced)
- 1/2 onion , chunked; large
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 pounds stewing beef
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 pound mushrooms; sliced
- 1 1/2 medium ; sliced thinly
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups broth from stewing beef
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/8 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley (fresh is best, as it adds a brightness to these deep rich flavors)
- Salt and pepper; to taste.
Instructions
In the slow cooker
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Add broth, Dr. Pepper, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion and black pepper in the slow cooker on low, mix well.
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Heat a skillet, add olive oil and butter, add chunks of beef, being careful to not over crowd the pan, salt and pepper lightly and create a nice sear on each side.
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Add to the slow cooker.
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Taste the broth, salt as your palate guides.
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Cook on low 6 hours.
Sauce
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In a heated pan, add olive oil and butter, sauté the onions for about 4 minutes, add mushrooms.
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After about 3 minutes, add salt and pepper.
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Remove beef from broth and add to onions and mushrooms.
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Mix in sour cream and once smooth, add 1 cup of beef broth to the pan, reserving 1/2 cup in a bowl.
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Whisk flour and tomato paste with reserved broth, making sure it is smooth and free from clumps.
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Slowly add to the pan, once well mixed, add majority of parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
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Garnishing with remaining parsley.
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Serve over egg noodles, potatoes, how however desired.
18 Comments
Healing Tomato
February 6, 2015 at 11:27 amThis is a perfect recipe! Look at those amazing pics and your cooking style is like a pro! Ever thought of selling this recipe to a steakhouse?
Michelle
February 6, 2015 at 3:52 pmYou are so kind to me HT! And that would be fun, to sell a recipe.
Joy @ Joy Love Food
February 6, 2015 at 11:37 amThis looks delicious. Love that it is made in the slow cooker. The Dr. Pepper is an interesting addition. Pinning!
Michelle
February 6, 2015 at 3:53 pmThanks Joy, the DP was a sweet kick but can totally be omitted.
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories
February 6, 2015 at 12:02 pmThis looks delicious and brings back memories of childhood. This was my mom’s “special occasion” dish.
Michelle
February 6, 2015 at 3:53 pmSerious, stroganoff is the classic comfort food from childhood.
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3
February 6, 2015 at 9:22 pmThis looks delicious. I love, love, love stroganoff! Serious comfort food!
Your pictures are so beautiful! Congrats on teaching yourself so well!
Michelle
February 6, 2015 at 11:58 pmThank you Jamie, it’s been a fun year. I stroganoff is serious comfort food.
Mommy's Kitchen
February 7, 2015 at 1:13 amLove this dish,I haven’t had it for years !!
Michelle
February 7, 2015 at 10:25 amIt’s a classic for sure. Hope you get to make it or your own version soon.
[email protected]
February 7, 2015 at 2:26 pmThis dish looks amazing Michelle. I love the new photo!
Michelle
February 7, 2015 at 2:32 pmThank you Nancy, what a difference a year makes.
Nicole Neverman
February 7, 2015 at 8:22 pmMichelle, your beef stroganoff looks absolutely amazing. My mouth is watering looking at those photos and reading the recipe. What great progress in one year too 🙂 Wish I was as quick a learner with the camera as you!
Michelle
February 7, 2015 at 9:45 pmThank you Nicole, you are too sweet.
Geraldine Saucier
February 7, 2015 at 11:12 pmBeef stroganoff is one of my favorites. I need to try it with Dr. Pepper. Thanks for sharing:)
Michelle
February 7, 2015 at 11:27 pmThe Dr. Pepper, gives it a sweeter taste than normal, but I loved it.
peggy
February 19, 2015 at 2:36 pmI want to make this for a family gathering. How many would you say this would serve?
Michelle
February 19, 2015 at 3:23 pmHi Peggy, This will comfortably feed 6 adults. Adjust for smaller eaters or heartier portions.