Creamy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients

For the beef:

• 2 lb (900 g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes

• 8 oz (225 g) fresh mushrooms, sliced

• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 cups beef broth

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp salt, or to taste

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp olive oil for browning

For the creamy sauce:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

• ½ cup sour cream

• ½ tsp Dijon mustard (optional)

• ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)

For serving:

• 12 oz (340 g) wide egg noodles

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• Extra black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

2. Brown the meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches for 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer to the slow cooker.

3. Add the vegetables: Add sliced mushrooms, diced onion, and minced garlic to the slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add thyme if desired, then stir gently.

4. Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender. Follow your slow cooker’s instructions for safe cooking.

5. Cook the noodles: About 15 minutes before serving, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions, then drain.

6. Prepare the thickener: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of hot cooking liquid from the slow cooker until smooth.

7. Thicken the sauce: Stir the flour mixture back into the slow cooker. Allow the sauce to cook for another 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

8. Add the creaminess: Reduce the heat setting if possible. Stir in sour cream and Dijon mustard until the sauce is smooth. Avoid boiling after adding the sour cream.

9. Combine and serve: Add the cooked egg noodles and gently toss until coated with the creamy sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and black pepper. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Information

Estimated per serving, based on 6 servings. Actual values vary by ingredients and brands.

Recipe Details

• Prep time: 20 minutes

• Cook time: 4–8 hours

• Total time: Approximately 4 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes

• Servings: 6

• Cuisine: American-inspired comfort food

• Cooking method: Slow cooker

• Difficulty: Easy

Tips for the Best Beef Stroganoff

• Use beef chuck or stew meat for tender, flavorful results.

• Brown the beef before slow cooking to develop a deeper flavor.

• Slice mushrooms evenly so they cook consistently.

• Add sour cream at the end to prevent curdling.

• Keep the noodles separate until serving if you plan to store leftovers; this helps prevent them from becoming too soft.

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3–4 days.