So you’re craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same.
Let me introduce you to your new best friend, the Simple Crockpot Beef Stroganoff. It’s like giving your taste buds a warm hug while your slow cooker does the dirty work. Seriously, the hardest part about this dish is finding your couch to binge-watch your favorite show while it simmers away. So grab a snack and let’s get down to business.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
First off, this is basically a no-brainer. If I can make this delicious dish, so can you. Seriously, even my cat could probably figure this out if you gave her a tiny apron. It’s super forgiving, meaning you won’t mess it up unless you decide to, you know, set it on fire or something.
Plus, who doesn’t love a meal that makes your house smell like heaven for hours? The beef, mushrooms, and spices mingle together like old friends at a high school reunion, creating a rich, savory sauce that you’ll want to put on everything from noodles to toast. And trust me, your weeknight dinner game will be forever changed.
So why keep getting takeout when you can whip up something so comforting in your crockpot? You’ll not only impress yourself but probably anyone lucky enough to share a meal with you.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Alright, let’s do this. Here’s your shopping list. Get ready to make some magic happen.
- 2 pounds beef sirloin or chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces (because bigger is not always better)
- 1 onion, chopped (goodbye tears)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (the more, the merrier)
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (for that extra oomph)
- 4 cups beef broth (liquid gold)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (don’t ask me to pronounce it)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (fancy, huh?)
- 1 tsp salt (just a pinch, promise)
- ½ tsp black pepper (let’s spice things up)
- 1 cup sour cream (the creamy dream)
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening, not to be confused with baking)
- 12 oz egg noodles or rice, optional (whatever floats your boat)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional but looks good)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you have the magic ingredients, let’s roll up our sleeves and get cooking. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be eating like royalty in no time.
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut the beef into 1-inch pieces. Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the mushrooms. This is where you sharpen those kitchen skills.
- Sear Beef and Sauté Aromatics: Heat some oil in a pan and sear the beef until browned. Like a golden nugget of happiness. Then transfer the beef to the slow cooker. In the same pan, sauté the chopped onion until it’s translucent. After that, add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms and sauté until softened. Toss those beauties into the slow cooker with the beef.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir like you mean it to combine all ingredients and seasonings. Secure the lid so the magic can happen.
- Slow Cook: Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender. This is your ‘me time’—go binge-watch that show.
- Prepare Thickening Mixture: About 30 minutes before you serve, whisk together the sour cream and all-purpose flour in a medium bowl until it’s absolutely smooth. This is the secret to creamy goodness so don’t rush this step.
- Temper and Thicken Sauce: Scoop ½ to 1 cup of hot liquid from the slow cooker into the sour cream mixture and whisk vigorously. This is called tempering, and it’s key to avoid the dreaded curdle. Pour the tempered mixture back into the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly, replace the lid, and cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings if you need a little more pizazz.
- Cook Accompaniments: While your stroganoff is finishing up, cook the egg noodles (or rice) according to package directions until al dente. Drain well like a pro.
- Serve and Garnish: Spoon a generous portion of cooked egg noodles (or rice) onto plates. Ladle the creamy crockpot beef stroganoff over the noodles and garnish with fresh parsley if you want to get all fancy. Serve immediately and get ready for compliments.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
So, what’s more fun than cooking? Messing it up. Here’s a list of common goofs that you can easily dodge, so you can spend more time enjoying and less time regretting.
- Skipping the Searing Step: I get it. You want to be lazy. But searing the beef adds so much flavor. Trust me, don’t be that person.
- Overloading the Slow Cooker: It’s not a buffet, folks. If it’s packed tighter than a can of sardines, your ingredients won’t cook evenly.
- Ignoring the Tempering Process: Skipping this step will lead to a curdled mess, and no one wants that. Just whisk it like you mean it.
- Not Adjusting Seasoning Before Serving: Give it a taste! If it’s bland, season again until it sings with flavor. A little extra salt or pepper can go a long way.
Alternatives & Substitutions
Now if you want to play around with this recipe, here are some fun alternatives and substitutions. Because who needs to stick to the rules.
- Meat Options: If beef isn’t your jam, you can totally use chicken. Just adjust the cooking time because chicken cooks faster.
- Mushroom Alternatives: If you despise mushrooms (I won’t judge), just leave them out, or toss in some peas or green beans instead for that veggie crunch.
- Broth Variations: You can swap beef broth with chicken or vegetable broth if you are in a pinch. Just keep it flavorful, my friend.
- Sour Cream Substitutes: Greek yogurt can stand in for sour cream in a pinch, but expect a slight flavor shift. Cream cheese can also work but just be prepared for a thicker consistency.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
So you’ve got questions. I’ve got answers, and a little bit of humor to sprinkle on top.
Can I use margarine instead of butter? Well, technically yes, but why hurt your soul like that? Butter just makes everything better.
Can I make this without a slow cooker? Sure! Just simmer on the stovetop until the beef is tender. It will take a bit less time, so keep an eye on it.
Is it okay to make this the day before? Absolutely! The flavors deepen overnight like a fine wine. Just reheat it gently the next day.
Why do I need to sauté the onions and garlic? It awakens their flavors! Plus, it gives you a chance to feel like a real chef as the kitchen fills with those lovely scents.
Do I need the parsley? Optional, but it does make your plate look fancy. You could also skip it if you don’t want to pay for it and just think it’s like a herb crust you don’t have to cook.
Can I double the recipe? Yes! Just make sure your slow cooker is big enough or you might end up with a beef explosion
Do I have to serve it over noodles? Nope, go wild! Serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or even straight up by itself if you’re feeling brave.
Final Thoughts
Now you are armed with the knowledge to turn your weeknight dinners into something legendary. You’ve got the magic recipe, some giggles from my blabbering, and a new dish that’s bound to impress.
So get out there or stay in there and knock this recipe out of the park. You might even want to make a double batch because trust me, leftovers for lunch are a game changer. Now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it!
Print
Simple Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 260 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Description
A comforting and easy beef stroganoff made in the slow cooker that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef sirloin or chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 12 oz egg noodles or rice, optional
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut the beef into 1-inch pieces. Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the mushrooms.
- Sear Beef and Sauté Aromatics: Heat some oil in a pan and sear the beef until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker. Sauté the onion until translucent, then add the garlic and mushrooms, and transfer to the slow cooker.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and secure the lid.
- Slow Cook: Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
- Prepare Thickening Mixture: About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together sour cream and flour until smooth.
- Temper and Thicken Sauce: Scoop ½ to 1 cup of hot liquid from the slow cooker into the sour cream mixture and whisk. Pour the tempered mixture back into the slow cooker, stir, and cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes, until thickened.
- Cook Accompaniments: Cook the egg noodles (or rice) according to package directions until al dente.
- Serve and Garnish: Spoon cooked egg noodles onto plates, ladle the stroganoff over, and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Searing the beef adds flavor. Adjust seasonings to your taste before serving.