Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff recipe is the easy, healthy version of the classic, making the perfect keto easy dinner for busy weekdays. It consists of tender beef and mushrooms in a rich and creamy sauce. If you enjoy stroganoff, check out our lean Pork Stroganoff and also Chicken Stroganoff.
One of my goals this year is to put my slow cooker to use and make more healthy dinners.
As a result, I decided to start with a long-time family favorite: Beef Stroganoff!
But this recipe offers a plus above other recipes that you may find out there.
It’s the healthy recipe version of the classic, yet is just as yummy as the regular stew. This is not a beef stroganoff with cream of mushroom soup or cream cheese.
It features tender lean stewed beef, low sodium broth, nonfat Greek yogurt instead of the usual sour cream, and our stroganoff sauce has no flour or corn starch.
Thus, it is gluten-free, low carb, and contains less fat than most online Beef Stroganoff recipes.
The result: a dish to enjoy all year round without stretching your waistline.
Although our Slow Cooker Beef Stew is sided by (gluten-free) egg noodles if desired you could serve it over spaghetti squash for a keto or low carb complete meal.
Or serve it with a hard-crusted bread or any other side of your choice.
WHAT DOES THE WORD STROGANOFF MEAN?
The word stroganoff comes from a French mustard for seasoning beef according to the “A Taste of Russia” cookbook.
WHAT CUTS OF BEEF IS BEST FOR BEEF STROGANOFF?
If making on the stovetop, use more tender cuts of beef such as:
- beef tenderloin
- sirloin steak
- boneless sirloin
- boneless rib eye
Why? Because it will reduce the cooking time to 30-45 minutes and will render a tender meat stew.
But if you are making the recipe for beef stroganoff in the slow cooker, you may use more affordable, tough cuts of meat such as:
- beef round
- beef chuck or chuck roast
- ground beef
INGREDIENTS FOR SLOW COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF RECIPE
- Olive oil – to brown the vegetables and beef. Of course, if you decide to dump most of the ingredients in the crock pot, you won’t need any oil.
- Beef stew meat – lean beef stew meat comes from either the chuck or round. They are tough cuts that become tender and flavorful when slowly simmered in liquid.
- Beef Broth – I used low-sodium but you can use a regular one and adjust the salt.
- Fresh mushrooms – white button is my choice. They are more affordable and rend great umami flavor.
- Red Wine – It will deglaze the pan and provide acidity to our stroganoff.
- Tomato Paste – it provides acidity as well.
- Garlic and onion – they provide flavor!
- Greek yogurt or Light sour cream – You may replace with ½ to ¾ cup of heavy cream, but I much prefer Greek yogurt. It has protein and no fat. But the thing is you must add it when it is at room temp; otherwise it’ll make the sauce of our beef stroganoff curdle.
- Seasonings – I used salt, black pepper, and paprika but you can add others of your choice such as garlic or onion powder. We don’t use worcestershire sauce in our but you can add to your if you want.
- Herbs such as parsley, thyme, or dill – to give our crockpot beef stroganoff a fresh touch.
TOOLS FOR MAKING HEALTHY BEEF STROGANOFF IN THE SLOW COOKER
- Nonstick skillet (for browning beef and vegetables)
- Slow Cooker (for cooking)
- Wooden spoon (for stirring)
HOW LONG TO COOK BEEF STROGANOFF IN A CROCK POT?
You may cook this recipe for slow cooker beef stroganoff on HIGH for 4 hours, or LOW for 6-8 hours.
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF
- First, season chunks of beef with salt, pepper, and paprika on all sides.
- Second, heat 2 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat in a large no stick skillet.
- Third, add beef in a single layer (do NOT overcrowd the pan). Brown for about 4-5 minutes on each side.
- Then, add the meat to the slow cooker. Brown the rest of the beef and add to the slow cooker.
- Using the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil and cook onions and mushrooms over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker. Pour the broth, wine, and tomato paste into the slow cooker, stirring well.
- OR, if desired, skip all the browning and dump all into the crock pot except the oil (which is only needed if browning before slow cooking and otherwise is skipped).
- But be aware stew will have less flavor!
- Cover the slow cooker and set on HIGH for 4 hours, or LOW for 6-8 hours. Uncover, stir in Greek yogurt, and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff either over cooked egg noodles or squash. Enjoy!
CAN EASY CROCK POT BEEF STROGANOFF BE MADE ON THE STOVETOP?
Yes! But be aware that to cook this easy beef stroganoff on the stovetop will take about 45-60 minutes to cook and will need to use a more tender cut of beef.
VARIATIONS
Ours is the healthy version of the classic Stroganov, which is a 19th century Russian dish.
The old version consists of sautéed pieces of tender beef (tenderloin/sirloin steak) served in a sauce with sour cream!!!
The dish has become popular all around the world.
But now features all sorts of variations in the type of meat and other ingredients used…
…in addition, of course, to a diverse group of sides.
It’s served with crispy pan-fried potatoes in Russia.
But egg noodles are among the most common sides in the U.S…
… while white rice and shoestring potatoes are the most usual sides in Brazil.
SLOW COOKER OR CROCK POT COOKING METHOD
Although this dish can be cooked in about 45 minutes in a regular pan, this time we made it in the slow cooker.
Unlike a regular pan, the stew can cook by itself for hours in the slow cooker.
Just set the timer, and relax!
Dinner will be ready within 4 to 8 hours, hassle free.
CAN YOU FREEZE Healthy BEEF STROGANOFF?
Yes! You can freeze beef stroganoff with sour cream or cream cheese for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and heat gently, stirring well.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH HEALTHY BEEF STROGANOFF?
It goes well with:
- egg noodles (including gluten-free),
- spaghetti squash or zoodles for a low carb version,
- hard-crusted bread or no yeast bread
- mashed potatoes,
- rice or cauliflower rice
- crispy potatoes or shoestring potatoes
I hope you enjoy our Crock Pot Beef Stew as much as we did…and also take a look at other low carb, gluten-free and slow cooker recipes.
More beef recipes to try:
- Instant Pot Corned Beef
- Instant Pot Ground Beef
- Brazilian Beef Stew
- Beef Oxtail
- Beef Brisket
- Air Fryer Steak
- Picanha Roast
- Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
PIN & ENJOY!
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Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Equipment
- nonstick skillet
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon olive oil this is used only if pre-browning/sauteeing before slow cooking
- 2 ½ pounds lean beef stew meat
- 2 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 small onion, small diced
- 8 ounces white button mushrooms sliced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ¾ cup low sodium vegetable or beef broth
- ⅓ cup red wine (use broth instead if desired)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ¼ cups nonfat plain Greek yogurt (or light sour cream if desired) AT ROOM TEMP to prevent curdling. SEE NOTES!
- 2-3 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season chunks of beef with salt, pepper, and paprika on all sides.
- Heat 2 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat in a large no stick skillet. Add beef in a single layer (do NOT overcrowd the pan). Brown for about 4-5 minutes on each side.
- Add the meat to the slow cooker. Brown the remaining beef and add to the slow cooker.
- Using the same skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil and cook onions and mushrooms over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Pour the broth, wine, and tomato paste into the slow cooker, stirring just until combined.
- Alternatively, if desired, skip the browning/ sauteeing steps above and dump everything into the crock pot or slow cooker except the oil (which is only needed if browning before slow cooking and otherwise is omitted). But be aware stew will be less flavorful!
- Cover the slow cooker on HIGH for 4 hours, or LOW for 6-8 hours depending on your time.
- Uncover, stir in Greek yogurt, and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff either over cooked egg noodles or cooked spaghetti squash. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- (Gluten-free) egg noodles;
- White Rice and/or shoestring potatoes;
- Crispy pan-fried potatoes;
- Spaghetti squash (low carb).
- Zoodles (low carb)
- Cauliflower rice (low carb)
- Hard-crusted bread
Nutrition
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Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
Fabulous version of Beef Stroganoff! I'm always ready for a quick and tasty dinner recipe.
Denise Browning says
Thanks Deb!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
It is a classic and for a good reason, it is delicious. I like your lighter version and I would definitely have it with the noodles. 🙂
JB says
OMG this was so tasty! Had it served with the noodles. Leaner, but every bit as flavorful.
Tova says
I made this for dinner last week and everyone loved it. We ate with spaghetti squash because my wife is on a low carb diet. It's the best beef stroganoff that we have ever tried-- and the easiest to make as well. Thanks for the recipe, Denise!
Alma says
I love beef stroganoff but I can't eat a lot because of its fat content. Thanks for making it leaner and the best thing, showing how to make this in the slow cooker. I can leave it cooking and have all ready when I get home after my work shift. I followed your suggestion and served it with spaghetti squash. It was my first time and I enjoyed it. Thank you
Dawna Gorius says
I had this slow cooker beef stroganoff with pasta but next time i have to try with the butternut squash spaghetti as you suggested. delifinitly less heavy. Thnaks for the recipe, my family loved it.