Lighter Beef Stroganoff is a healthier twist on a rich and luxurious dish that has aristocratic origins. This lightened-up version, scaled for two servings, makes it perfect for today.
Beef stroganoff is a luxurious dish that makes a quick, comforting meal. What’s not to love about thin strips of tender beef and earthy Cremini mushrooms in a tangy sour cream sauce?
Origin of Beef Stroganoff:
A true classic, beef stroganoff has been around since the 1800s, when it is believed the chef for a prominent Russian general named Stroganov created it for a cooking competition. After the fall of imperial Russia, it became popular in Chinese hotels and restaurants. It caught on in the United States in the 1950s.
Because of beef stroganoff’s aristocratic origin, it’s customary to use tenderloin. However, beef tenderloin is pricey. Less expensive cuts of beef such as sirloin or flank steak will also work. Pork, turkey or chicken may be substituted for the beef.
Beef stroganoff has a reputation for being heavy. This version uses light sour cream, which works just as well as full-fat sour cream. Using a nonstick skillet allows you to use less fat in the cooking process.
How to temper sour cream:
When adding sour cream to hot liquid, it may curdle. With light sour cream, curdling is even more probable. The way to avoid this problem is to “temper” it first.
- Place the sour cream in a small bowl and stir in a small amount of the hot liquid. This increases the temperature of the sour cream so it doesn’t separate when it hits the hot liquid.
- Add the tempered sour cream right at the end of cooking because it shouldn’t boil.
In this country, beef stroganoff is traditionally served over egg noodles. For even more "healthy," use whole wheat noodles. Rice, mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower are also an option. Serve with a green salad and steamed green vegetables.
More great beef recipes you'll love!
- Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak with Peperonata
- Buttery Blackened Steak Bites with Gorgonzola
- Indian-Style Beef Kabobs with Cilantro – Coconut Sauce
- Steak au Poivre and Broiled Lobster Tail with Roasted Asparagus
- Japanese Beef and Shishito Pepper Skewers
- Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Cambozola Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce
- Korean Braised Beef Short Ribs
Lighter Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil - divided
- 8 ounces beef tenderloin - thinly sliced and cut into strips
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter - divided
- 4 ounces baby Portobello mushrooms - (cremini) sliced
- ½ small onion - finely chopped (about ½ cup)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup light sour cream
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 4 ounces yolk-free whole-grain egg noodles - cooked
Instructions
- Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season beef tenderloin strips with salt and black pepper. Add beef to skillet and brown 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
- Add 1 teaspoon butter to the pan. Add the mushrooms and brown, stirring often until softened and browned, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to plate with the beef.
- Add remaining oil and butter to pan then add onion, reduce heat to medium-low and cook 4-5 minutes, stirring often or until onion has softened. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Add wine, stir, then slowly add chicken and beef broths along with tomato paste, whisking constantly.
- Bring back to a boil and cook 3-4 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat to low.
- Place sour cream in a small bowl. Remove approximately ½ cup of the hot liquid and whisk into sour cream in small increments then transfer back to the pan along with beef and mushrooms.
- Heat through and stir in half the chopped parsley.
- Serve over egg noodles. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Emily says
Delicious! Even without mushrooms (though of course they are what makes the stroganoff classic. I did not use tomato paste at all. Having no white wine in the house, I used dry vermouth, which worked beautifully! Thanks!
Carol says
Thanks, Emily! So glad you enjoyed and please stay in touch!