Creamy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff – Tender, Cozy & Classic Comfort

🎉 Introduction

Few meals feel as comforting and satisfying as a warm bowl of Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff. This timeless dish is all about rich flavor, tender beef, and a creamy sauce that wraps everything together beautifully. Made in the slow cooker, it transforms simple ingredients into a deeply comforting meal with almost no effort.

The magic of this recipe lies in time. As the beef cooks slowly, it becomes incredibly tender, soaking up the savory flavors of mushrooms, onions, and seasoning. The creamy finish adds just the right amount of richness without overpowering the dish. It’s the perfect answer to busy days when you want a homemade meal that tastes like it simmered all day—because it did.

Ideal for family dinners, cozy evenings, or meal prep, this slow cooker stroganoff is hearty, reliable, and always a crowd-pleaser.

🧰 Equipment Needed

To make this slow cooker beef stroganoff, you’ll need:

• Slow cooker (5–6 quart)
• Large skillet
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Small bowl

Optional but helpful:

• Ladle for serving

🛒 Ingredients

These ingredients come together to create a rich and creamy beef stroganoff.

Beef

• 2 lb beef stew meat or sliced beef chuck

Vegetables

• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cups mushrooms, sliced

Cooking Fat

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Liquid Base

• 3 cups beef broth

Creamy Finish

• 1 cup sour cream or thick plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Seasoning

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley, finely chopped

👩‍🍳 Directions

Follow these easy steps for tender slow-cooked beef stroganoff.

Step 1: Sear the Beef

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add beef and sear quickly on all sides until browned.
• Transfer beef to the slow cooker.

Step 2: Add Vegetables

• Add sliced onions and mushrooms on top of the beef in the slow cooker.

Step 3: Season and Add Broth

• Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the mixture.
• Pour in beef broth.
• Stir gently to combine.

Step 4: Slow Cook

• Cover and cook:
  • Low: 7–8 hours
  • High: 4–5 hours
• Beef should be fork-tender.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

• In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water.
• Stir the mixture into the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on High for 20–30 minutes until thickened.

Step 6: Add the Creamy Finish

• Reduce heat to Low.
• Stir in sour cream or yogurt until smooth and creamy.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7–8 hours (Low) or 4–5 hours (High)
• Total Time: ~8 hours

Perfect for family dinners or make-ahead meals.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container.
• Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Freezing

• Freeze without the sour cream for up to 2 months.
• Add the creamy component after reheating.

Reheating

• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
• Stir well and add a splash of broth if needed.

🥄 Variations

Customize your slow cooker beef stroganoff with these ideas:

• Extra Creamy
  • Add an extra ¼ cup sour cream.
• Mushroom Lover’s Version
  • Increase mushrooms to 4 cups.
• Lighter Option
  • Use yogurt instead of sour cream.
• Chicken Alternative
  • Replace beef with chicken thighs.
• Herb Boost
  • Add fresh parsley or thyme at the end.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What cut of beef works best?
   Beef chuck or stew meat becomes very tender.
2. Do I need to brown the beef first?
   It adds flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
3. Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream?
   Yes, it creates a lighter creamy texture.
4. Will the sauce thicken on its own?
   The cornstarch helps achieve the perfect consistency.
5. Is this dish kid-friendly?
   Yes, it’s mild and comforting.
6. Can I cook this overnight?
   Yes, use the Low setting.
7. Does it reheat well?
   Yes, flavors deepen the next day.
8. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, use a larger slow cooker.
9. Why add dairy at the end?
   It prevents curdling and keeps the sauce smooth.
10. Is this a complete meal?
    Yes, it’s hearty and filling on its own.

🏁 Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff is the definition of comfort made easy. Tender beef, savory mushrooms, and a creamy, rich sauce come together effortlessly in the slow cooker for a meal that feels both nostalgic and satisfying. Perfect for busy days and cozy nights, it’s a recipe you can count on every time.

Once you try it, it’s sure to become a regular favorite at your table.

Adam

Creamy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff – Tender, Cozy & Classic Comfort

Few meals feel as comforting and satisfying as a warm bowl of Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff. This timeless dish is all about rich flavor, tender beef, and a creamy sauce that wraps everything together beautifully. Made in the slow cooker, it transforms simple ingredients into a deeply comforting meal with almost no effort. The magic of this recipe lies in time. As the beef cooks slowly, it becomes incredibly tender, soaking up the savory flavors of mushrooms, onions, and seasoning. The creamy finish adds just the right amount of richness without overpowering the dish. It’s the perfect answer to busy days when you want a homemade meal that tastes like it simmered all day—because it did. Ideal for family dinners, cozy evenings, or meal prep, this slow cooker stroganoff is hearty, reliable, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• These ingredients come together to create a rich and creamy beef stroganoff.

Beef

• 2 lb beef stew meat or sliced beef chuck

Vegetables

• 1 medium onion thinly sliced
• 3 cups mushrooms sliced

Cooking Fat

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Liquid Base

• 3 cups beef broth
• Creamy Finish
• 1 cup sour cream or thick plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Seasoning

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley finely chopped

Equipment

• To make this slow cooker beef stroganoff, you’ll need:
• Slow cooker (5–6 quart)
• Large skillet
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Small bowl
• Optional but helpful:
• Ladle for serving

Method

 

1. Follow these easy steps for tender slow-cooked beef stroganoff.

Step 1: Sear the Beef

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add beef and sear quickly on all sides until browned.
3. Transfer beef to the slow cooker.

Step 2: Add Vegetables

1. Add sliced onions and mushrooms on top of the beef in the slow cooker.

Step 3: Season and Add Broth

1. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the mixture.
2. Pour in beef broth.
3. Stir gently to combine.

Step 4: Slow Cook

1. Cover and cook:
2. Low: 7–8 hours
3. High: 4–5 hours
4. Beef should be fork-tender.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water.
2. Stir the mixture into the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on High for 20–30 minutes until thickened.

Step 6: Add the Creamy Finish

1. Reduce heat to Low.
2. Stir in sour cream or yogurt until smooth and creamy.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Freeze without the sour cream for up to 2 months.

Add the creamy component after reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Stir well and add a splash of broth if needed.

🥄 Variations

Customize your slow cooker beef stroganoff with these ideas:

Extra Creamy

Add an extra ¼ cup sour cream.

Mushroom Lover’s Version

Increase mushrooms to 4 cups.

Lighter Option

Use yogurt instead of sour cream.

Chicken Alternative

Replace beef with chicken thighs.

Herb Boost

Add fresh parsley or thyme at the end.

❓ 10 FAQs

What cut of beef works best?
Beef chuck or stew meat becomes very tender.

Do I need to brown the beef first?
It adds flavor but can be skipped if short on time.

Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, it creates a lighter creamy texture.

Will the sauce thicken on its own?
The cornstarch helps achieve the perfect consistency.

Is this dish kid-friendly?
Yes, it’s mild and comforting.

Can I cook this overnight?
Yes, use the Low setting.

Does it reheat well?
Yes, flavors deepen the next day.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger slow cooker.

Why add dairy at the end?
It prevents curdling and keeps the sauce smooth.

Is this a complete meal?
Yes, it’s hearty and filling on its own.

🏁 Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff is the definition of comfort made easy. Tender beef, savory mushrooms, and a creamy, rich sauce come together effortlessly in the slow cooker for a meal that feels both nostalgic and satisfying. Perfect for busy days and cozy nights, it’s a recipe you can count on every time.

Once you try it, it’s sure to become a regular favorite at your table.