Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff is the ultimate comfort food—beef so tender it nearly melts in your mouth, cloaked in a rich, creamy sauce threaded with garlic butter mushrooms. This dreamy dish is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays, filling your home with savory aromas as it simmers to savory perfection.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The best Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff starts with humble, pantry-friendly staples that transform into pure comfort. Every ingredient plays a star role in creating that unmistakable depth, creaminess, and umami you crave in a stroganoff!

• Beef Chuck or Stewing Beef: These tougher cuts fall apart into juicy, ultra-flavorful bites after hours in the slow cooker.
• Salt and Pepper: Don’t skimp—seasoning the beef well enhances every savory note in this dish.
• Oil & Unsalted Butter: For browning the beef and sautéing the aromatic base for maximum richness.
• Large Onion & Garlic: Classic aromatics that lend sweetness and punchy depth to the sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken your stroganoff to perfect, spoon-coating consistency.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds gentle tang and complexity, highlighting the creamy sauce.
• Reduced-Salt Beef Stock: The backbone of hearty flavor—choose good stock for best results!
• Full Fat Sour Cream: For that signature, silky body and the perfect amount of tanginess.
• Mushrooms: Sautéed in garlic butter, they amplify the savory swoon factor of this stroganoff.
• Pasta, Egg Noodles, or Mashed Potatoes: The traditional vehicles for serving all that luscious sauce.
• Chives: A bright, fresh garnish that completes the dish with a pop of color and flavor.

Variations

This Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff is endlessly flexible! You can easily adapt the ingredients or cooking method to suit what you have on hand, your dietary needs, or your family’s favorite flavors.

• Gluten-Free Option: Skip the flour and use a cornstarch slurry at the end to thicken for an equally creamy, gluten-free Stroganoff.
• Mushroom Lover’s Stroganoff: Double up the mushrooms or try a mix of cremini, portobello, or shiitake for more earthy depth.
• Lighter Version: Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream (add it off the heat) for a leaner but still tangy finish.
• Pressure Cooker Shortcut: Use an Instant Pot for a faster weeknight version—just adjust the flour as explained in the notes for a fuss-free cook.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Pat your beef dry and season generously with salt and pepper. In a heavy skillet, heat the oil over high and sear the beef in batches, making sure you don’t overcrowd the pan—this is where you lock in all that deep, meaty flavor. Set aside each batch once gorgeously browned for the best foundation.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Allow the skillet to cool a bit (prevents garlic burning!), then add a bit of butter, followed by the onions and garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, scraping up all those savory brown bits from the pan—these build the sauce’s signature base.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Sprinkle flour over the sautéed aromatics and stir well, then add in the Dijon mustard. The mixture will thicken and look a little sticky—no worries, this is absolutely right!

Step 4: Add Stock & Simmer

Gradually pour in half the beef stock while stirring, dissolving the flour and creating a smooth, thick gravy. Add in the remaining stock, stir, and bring to a gentle simmer. Don’t forget to scrape the bottom for every last bit of flavor!

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Transfer everything to your slow cooker, nestle in the browned beef, and let the magic happen—8 hours on low or 5 on high. The beef will become fork-tender and utterly irresistible, infusing the sauce with every bit of flavor.

Step 6: Make Garlic Butter Mushrooms

While the stroganoff simmers, sauté mushrooms in batches with butter and garlic until deeply golden and fragrant. These get added at the end to ensure they stay plump, juicy, and beautifully caramelized.

Step 7: Finish & Serve

Whisk sour cream with a little hot liquid from the slow cooker to avoid curdling, then gently fold it into the stew with the mushrooms. Stir carefully so the tender beef holds together. Serve over noodles or mash, scattered with chives and dig in!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Garnishes

A flourish of fresh chives, minced parsley, or even a little cracked black pepper is the finishing touch that pops against the creamy sauce and makes each plate extra inviting. Try a tiny dollop of extra sour cream on top if you’re feeling indulgent!

Side Dishes

This Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff is usually served over buttered egg noodles or billowy mashed potatoes, but it’s also divine with rice, spaetzle, or even a rustic chunk of sourdough on the side. Add a crisp green salad or simple steamed veggies to round out the feast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try spooning the stroganoff into individual ramekins and topping with puff pastry for personal pot pies, or layer leftovers in a casserole with creamy mash and bake until golden à la cottage pie style. Serve family-style in a big dish for cozy gatherings, or plate it up restaurant-style with a nest of noodles and a drizzle of sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days. The flavors only get better, and you’ll have a ready-made comfort meal waiting for you after a long day.

Freezing

This dish freezes surprisingly well! Portion cooled stroganoff into freezer-safe containers, label, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating—don’t forget to stir with care to keep those beef pieces whole and succulent.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, or in the microwave at medium power. For best results, stir occasionally and heat until just warmed through to preserve the tender beef and creamy texture of the sauce.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Nothing says comfort food like a generous bowl of Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try—the slow simmered beef, creamy sauce, and garlicky mushrooms create the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table with big smiles. Enjoy every cozy, flavorful bite!

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