Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff | 45g of Protein Per Serving!

This easy and delicious slow cooker beef stroganoff has that classic nostalgic flavor you remember, with no cans or bouillon needed. Perfect for hitting your protein goals on a busy weeknight or a sit-down Sunday meal with the family.

To me, beef stroganoff is one of those comfort foods that you love as a child but forget how awesome it is until you go back home and visit family and your mom or grandma makes it again.

It’s also one of those recipes that is perfect for Sunday family dinners, busy weeknights, or when the weather is cold, and you want something that warms the soul while filling your bellies.

My Classic Slow Cooker Pot Roast is another Sunday night favorite, and Slow Cooker Beef Stew is PERFECT for busy weeknights! They have that classic comfort food flavor too.

But to me, no meal is more nostalgic than classic beef stroganoff.

Can you make beef stroganoff in a slow cooker?

Making slow cooker beef stroganoff means you get the ease of hands-off cooking for a comforting bowl of tender beef, rich and creamy sauce, and pasta for an amazing low-effort meal.

THE BEST SLOW COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

This is the best slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe because you can make it:

• Without cream of mushroom soup or beef bouillon cubes. No overly processed ingredients here!
• Dairy-free with one small swap.
• Gluten-free with one substitution.
• With a cheaper cut of meat. You have many options for the beef – you don’t HAVE to use steak!
• Without using expensive or unusual ingredients. You get all of the classic savory flavor without spending more of your grocery budget.

SLOW COOKER STROGANOFF RECIPE INGREDIENTS

The ingredients for this crock pot beef stroganoff recipe are pretty straightforward:

• Beef. You have several choices for the cut you use (more on that below).
• Mushrooms. Thick-cut mushrooms add a meaty, umami flavor to this dish.
• Pasta. Egg noodles, penne, or rotini are hearty enough to soak up the sauce and make a good base for the beef.
• Simple Spices. Dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder.
• Salt and Pepper. The usual suspects for flavor.
• Beef Broth. A bit of liquid to help keep the beef tender and so that you have that delicious gravy sauce at the end. Chicken stock works too if that’s what you have on hand.
• Worcestershire Sauce and Dijon Mustard. These add depth to the crock pot stroganoff sauce. (Check the label to see if your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free if you need it to be.)
• Cornstarch. To help thicken the sauce at the end.
• Greek Yogurt. Greek yogurt is what gives slow cooker stroganoff that tangy taste. Sour cream also works here.

BEST CUTS OF BEEF FOR SLOW-COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

There are a few different ways to make slow-cooker beef stroganoff, but the biggest difference will be the type of meat you choose.

• Sliced steaks (usually sirloin steak, but can be flank steak)
• Sliced roasts (bottom round or shoulder roast; chuck roast sometimes has too much fat for this recipe). This is also called beef stew meat at the store if you buy it already chopped up, or you can cut it up yourself.
• Ground beef
• Meatballs

I’ve tested this recipe using a sliced roast and flank steak, and both versions came out delicious. I suggest using the cut of meat you have on hand, or what’s on sale at the store.

To make ground beef stroganoff instead of chunks of beef, you’ll want to brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat first. Drain off the excess grease before adding the meat to the slow cooker. Browning beforehand isn’t necessary for the other cuts of beef.

I get my beef for stroganoff from Butcher Box. Butcher Box delivers grass-fed beef, pasture-raised and organic chicken, and heritage pork directly to your front door each month. You can read my honest review of Butcher Box here and how to make Butcher Box worth the cost here.

WHAT IS BEEF SLOW COOKER STROGANOFF SAUCE MADE OF?

If your grandma had a “secret” crock pot beef stroganoff recipe, it’s probably because of her sauce.

The history of traditional beef stroganoff recipes is like a family tree with several branches dictating how the recipe is made:

• Early recipes called for beef cubes or bouillon and sour cream to make the sauce. Oftentimes there were no mushrooms and no onions.
• As the recipe evolved, onion powder and mushrooms were added, along with the bouillon and sour cream (à la Betty Crocker). Occasionally you’ll find yellow onion in the mix too.
• When moms went back to the workplace (which is the time my mom’s version was created), their sauce was made with cream of mushroom soup. (If you like that flavor, try the healthier version with this Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup!)
• A fancier variation may include white wine or brandy or even cream cheese in the sauce (think the slow cooker beef stroganoff Jamie Oliver would make). We’re sticking with a simpler version here because you don’t need all of that to make a stroganoff with great flavor!

My beef slow cooker stroganoff recipe tastes just as good as the fancy version, is SUPER simple, and doesn’t rely on processed foods. I think that’s the best combination of all!

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY BEEF STROGANOFF RECIPE SLOW COOKER

Step 1. Cut the mushrooms into thick slices. This allows the mushrooms to hold their shape throughout the long cooking time.

Step 2: Using the same cutting board (and you don’t need to wash it in between), cut the stew meat, steak, or roast into thin 1” strips. If you’re using ground beef, brown it in a skillet on the stove and drain the excess grease.

Step 3. Add the beef and spices to the slow cooker. If your slow cooker is older, you may want to spray the inside with nonstick cooking spray (or reuse wrappers from butter) or use slow cooker liners. Stir to make sure the meat is well-coated.

Step 4. Add the mushrooms, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.

Step 5. Cook the beef stroganoff recipe on high for 2-3 hours or low for 5-7 hours. I prefer to cook beef on low so it’s fall-apart tender. I recommend using a slow cooker that has an automatic turn-off feature, so your dinner doesn’t continue to cook beyond the cooking time.

Step 6. Just before you’re ready to serve the slow cooker beef stroganoff, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Meanwhile, whisk together a cornstarch slurry mixture in a mug and stir it into the beef sauce in the crockpot to thicken it. Stir in the yogurt.

Step 7. Serve over cooked pasta.

You can store crockpot beef stroganoff leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

FREEZER-FRIENDLY SLOW COOKER STROGANOFF

Slow-cooker beef stroganoff also makes a great freezer meal – you can pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Did you know you can freeze cooked pasta? That means you can prepare both the slow cooker beef stroganoff and the pasta ahead of time for a thaw-and-eat meal later on. Freeze the beef stroganoff sauce and the pasta separately to avoid mushy pasta as the meal thaws.

CREAMY BEEF STROGANOFF RECIPE SLOW COOKER TIPS

• If you want firmer mushrooms, wait to add them until halfway through the cooking time.
• I usually use spicy brown mustard, but you can use Dijon mustard or even yellow mustard if that’s what you have.
• To make this dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt or sour cream.
• To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free noodles. Penne and rotini are good options, and Aldi has a great price on gluten-free pasta.
• If you aren’t in a pasta mood, beef stroganoff is also delicious served over Mashed Potatoes or Cauliflower Rice.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH SLOW COOKER STROGANOFF

Since slow cooker meals are for busy days, I recommend choosing super easy side dishes with slow cooker stroganoff as well – something that can be made while the egg noodles are cooking:

MACRO-FRIENDLY SLOW COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

This crock pot beef stroganoff recipe is fairly well-balanced when it comes to the macros.

• You’ve got plenty of protein (45g!) from the beef and the mushrooms.
• The pasta adds carbohydrates.
• And the yogurt or sour cream gives you healthy fats.

To boost the protein even more and lower the carbs, serve beef stroganoff with protein pasta like Banza.

And don’t forget the produce! Enjoy steamed or roasted veggies or a dinner salad on the side.

CROCK POT BEEF STROGANOFF RECIPE FAQS

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Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Tiffany

This easy and delicious slow cooker beef stroganoff has that classic nostalgic flavor you remember, with no cans or bouillon needed. Perfect for hitting your protein goals on a busy weeknight or sit-down Sunday meal with the family.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Main Meals

Cuisine Russian

Servings 6

Calories 427 kcal

Ingredients  

1x2x3x4x

• 16 oz mushrooms sliced thick (454g)
• 2 lbs stew beef or flank steak, or beef roast cut into thin 1” strips (907g)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried dill
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 cup beef broth (240g)
• 3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (45g)
• 1 Tbsp Dijon or spicy brown mustard (15g)
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (245g)
• 8 oz egg noodles (225g)

Instructions 

• Cut the mushrooms into thick slices. This allows the mushrooms to hold their shape throughout the long cook time.

• Then using the same cutting board and without washing, cut the stew meat steak, or roast into thin 1” strips.

• If your slow cooker is older, you may want to spray the inside with nonstick cooking spray (or re-use wrappers from butter), or use slow cooker liners. Add the sliced meat, sprinkle the spices over the meat, and stir to coat the meat with the spices.

To make Beef Stroganoff with ground beef instead of chunks of beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 Tbsp coconut oil and add the ground beef. Sprinkle the seasonings over the ground beef and break up the meat using a potato masher or wooden spoon as it cooks. When the beef is cooked through, drain off excess grease and discard. Add the cooked ground beef to the slow cooker and continue with the next step.

• Add the mushrooms, broth, Worcestershire, and mustard.

• Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 5-7 hours. I prefer to cook beef on low so it’s fall-apart tender. I recommend using a slow cooker that has an automatic turn-off feature, so your dinner doesn’t continue to cook beyond the cook time.

• Just before you’re ready to serve, cook the noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, finish the sauce with a cornstarch slurry and yogurt.

Notes

• Be sure to use whole milk yogurt; otherwise, it will curdle in the sauce.
• Substitute penne, rotini, or similar-sized noodles. Gluten-free noodles also work.

This crock pot beef stroganoff recipe is fairly well-balanced when it comes to the macros.

• You’ve got plenty of protein (45g!) from the beef and the mushrooms.
• The pasta adds carbohydrates.
• And the yogurt or sour cream gives you healthy fats.

To boost the protein even more and lower the carbs, serve beef stroganoff with protein pasta like Banza. And don’t forget the produce! Enjoy steamed or roasted veggies or a dinner salad on the side.
Adapted from WellPlated.com

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 427kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 45gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 784mgPotassium: 1001mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 44IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 5mg

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