Lazy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Slow cooker beef stroganoff is a delicious and easy meal worthy of a regular spot on your dinner table. Tender chunks of beef and flavorful mushrooms in a rich creamy sauce served over pasta - don't expect leftovers!

One of the most commonly asked questions regarding slow cooker recipes is: What can I make with stew meat besides stew. This dish is the perfect answer. It is a simple, but deliciously different twist on typical beef stew.

📝Shopping list

To make beef stroganoff in your crockpot, you will need:

• beef stew meet, cut into cubes
• mushrooms, sliced (white button or cremini)
• flour
• onion, sliced
• beef broth
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• fresh ground pepper
• sour cream
• egg noodles
• corn starch (optional)

🥣Preparation method

If you plan to use a slow cooker liner, adding it to your slow cooker is always the first (and most often forgotten!) step.

To start the actual recipe, place flour, pepper and beef into a bag that can be fully closed such as a zipper lock type bag. Shake bag until all beef is lightly coated with flour mixture.

Dump bag contents into slow cooker and add all other ingredients except sour cream, corn starch and noodles. Stir ingredients to combine, cover and cook on low for about 6-8 hours.

Thirty minutes or so prior to serving, cook noodles according instructions on the package.

In a small separate bowl, combine sour cream with a ladle full of the hot juices from your slow cooker and stir to temper. This will prevent your sour cream from curdling. Once fully mixed, add the sour cream mixture back into your slow cooker and stir to fully combine.

After the sour cream has settled in, you can choose to thicken the sauce further. To thicken, use a separate bowl to mix corn starch with a few tablespoons of the hot gravy from your slow cooker.

Stir, fully smoothing out any lumps. Add corn starch mixture into slow cooker. Stir and allow to cook for 15 - 30 minutes more.

🍽Serving suggestions

Slow cooker beef stroganoff can be served on top of noodles. However, you can also choose to mix the noodles into the beef/sauce mixture right in your slow cooker. It is great served with a crispy side salad, some crusty bread, zucchini and squash parmesan or mashed cauliflower.

Storing leftovers

If you think you will have leftovers, it is best to serve this dish on top of your noodles rather than mixing them all in. Frozen, cooked noodles don’t always reheat well in sauce. They will break apart while defrosting.

Without the noodles, your beef mixture can be stored in air-tight containers or bags for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. You can also store any leftover cooked noodles on their own in the refrigerator or freezer. Alternatively, you can serve the reheated beef mixture with fresh noodles.

😉Hints & hacks

1. To make the easiest version of this dish, purchase stew meat that has already been cut into chunks. You can also purchase both mushrooms and onions pre-sliced. Can't find stew meat but pre-cut beef strips are on sale? Those work really well too!
2. If you want thicker gravy but don't have time to wait for a corn starch slurry to thicken it up, add instant mashed potato flakes. At the end of the cooking process, stir potato flakes one tablespoon at a time right into the pot until the gravy reaches the desired consistency.
3. I generally recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. As always, this an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price. I love mine!
4. This is a great dish if your people will be eating at different times. After the cooking time, turn your slow cooker to warm and everyone can have a delicious and filling meal, no matter what time they are ready to eat. If you will be serving this dish at different times throughout the evening, spooning it over noodles, rather than mixing them together works best.

❓Frequently asked questions