Ground Beef Stroganoff

What You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make ground beef stroganoff with gravy from scratch. Scroll down to the printable recipe card to find the exact ingredient quantities and full recipe instructions.

• Ground beef – I use ground chuck (80/20) for its tender texture and rich beefy flavor.
• Salt & pepper – Simple seasonings amplify the flavors perfectly.
• Butter – Use unsalted butter here; if you only have salted butter on hand, add a touch less salt to the recipe.
• Mushrooms – I add either cremini or button mushrooms. You can buy them pre-sliced and save a little prep time.
• Onion and garlic – Dice the onion evenly so it’s all softened at the same time.
• Flour – To thicken the gravy. For a gluten-free option, you can use cornstarch.
• Beef broth – This adds beefy flavor to the gravy. Reduced-sodium gives you better control over the flavor.
• Sour cream – Use full-fat sour cream for a rich, lightly creamy, tangy gravy with the best flavor and texture.
• Worcestershire sauce – Adds savory umami depth that pairs perfectly with beef.
• Dijon mustard – This adds an earthy, pungent flavor to the gravy and balances the richness.
• Egg noodles – While they’re not your only serving option, they’re my family’s favorite!
• Parsley – Optional, for a pop of fresh flavor and color.

How to Make Ground Beef Stroganoff

These photos will show you the process of making this recipe step-by-step.

• Brown the beef. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet with salt and pepper until it’s just browned, then transfer it to a plate. Leave about a tablespoon of fat in the pan.
• Sear the mushrooms and onions. Melt the butter in the skillet, add the mushrooms and onions, and let them brown undisturbed. Stir, cook again, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

• Start the gravy. Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in half of the beef broth, then once it’s incorporated, add the rest.
• Make it creamy. Stir in the sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.

• Simmer. Let the gravy bubble gently over medium-low heat until thickened. Season to taste.
• Finish and serve. Fold the cooked ground beef back into the skillet and heat through. Spoon over warm egg noodles and garnish with parsley.

Substitutions and Variation Ideas

Want to switch things up a bit? I have a few ideas to get you started!

• Make it with steak instead of ground beef. Traditional beef stroganoff features steak, so let’s talk about how to do that, too. Slice sirloin, ribeye, or flank steak into thin strips, against the grain (for optimal tenderness and easy chewing). Season with salt and pepper, then sear in the skillet, cooking for a minute or two on each side, until just medium-rare. Transfer to a plate and make the rest of the recipe as directed, adding the beef back to the skillet at the end of the cooking time.
• Use fancy mushrooms. Sometimes I find wonderful wild mushrooms at the farmers market and I just can’t resist them. They’d be fantastic in this ground beef stroganoff. You can really use any mushrooms as long as the total weight is the same.
• Swap the parsley out for chives. They’ll add subtle onion-y flavor, as opposed to the bright herbaceousness of parsley.
• Other serving options. My family prefers to eat beef stroganoff over tender-chewy egg noodles; either long noodles as shown in the photos here, or short wavy egg noodles. But any shape of noodle you personally like will work. Mashed potatoes are also super yummy and totally acceptable, instead of noodles. See “Serving Suggestions” below for our top mashed potatoes recipes.

Serving Suggestions

• Mashed potatoes: Besides noodles, mashed potatoes are another great pairing for this comfort food meal. Serve the stroganoff over Creamy Mashed Potatoes or Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes.
• Rolls: Many people like to offer a soft bread roll with a gravy meal, so they can swipe up every last bit of that creamy, flavorful deliciousness. My homemade Rhodes Rolls and Popovers are hard to beat!
• Veggies: A side of Honey Garlic Carrots or Roasted Asparagus make a great side.
• Fresh salad: And a beautiful, light salad provides wonderful fresh contrast. Favorite pairings include my Winter Citrus Salad and Winter Apple Salad.
• Pickled Vegetables: For a sharp, fresh bite (an awesome offset to rich, creamy dishes), offer Quick Pickled Beets or my mom’s Refrigerator Sweet Pickles.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Store leftover ground beef stroganoff in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: You can also freeze the stroganoff in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Let it thaw before reheating.
• To reheat: Warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals. If the gravy is too thick, add a splash of broth, water, or milk to thin it a bit.