Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Easy Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff Recipe for Perfect Comfort

This hearty beef stroganoff transforms an ordinary weeknight dinner into a culinary adventure that captures comfort and sophistication.

Rich, creamy textures mingle with deep umami flavors in a classic dish beloved by home cooks and food enthusiasts.

Slow-cooked beef becomes magnificently tender when prepared with meticulous technique and carefully balanced ingredients.

Mushrooms add earthy depth while creating a luxurious foundation for the sauce’s complex profile.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of robust meat, silky cream, and nuanced seasonings that dance across your palate.

Sour cream provides a subtle tanginess that cuts through the richness, preventing the dish from feeling heavy or overwhelming.

Strategic cooking methods elevate this traditional recipe from simple to spectacular: prepare to fall in love with a timeless culinary classic:

Experience The Creamy Richness Of Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff

Experience The Creamy Richness Of Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff
  • Savor Tender Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef: The slow cooking method transforms tough chuck roast into incredibly soft, succulent meat that practically dissolves on your tongue with rich, deep flavor.
  • Craft a Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: This stroganoff recipe brings gourmet cooking techniques to your kitchen, letting you create a sophisticated dish with professional-level results using simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
  • Quick Comfort Food with Minimal Prep: Despite the long cooking time, the actual preparation is super easy – just slice meat, sauté ingredients, and let the skillet do the hard work, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a hearty, satisfying meal.
  • One-Skillet Wonder with Rich Flavor Layers: The recipe builds incredible depth by cooking beef, onions, and sauce in the same pan, allowing each ingredient to develop complex flavors and create a luxurious, creamy sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.

Key Ingredients For Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff

Meat:
  • Chuck Roast: A flavorful, tender cut perfect for slow-cooking stroganoff. Look for well-marbled meat with minimal fat and gristle.
Seasonings:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing the meat's natural flavors. Use freshly ground black pepper for maximum taste.
Aromatics and Vegetables:
  • Onions: Adds sweet, depth of flavor to the stroganoff. Choose yellow or white onions for best results.
  • Mushrooms: Provides earthy umami taste and meaty texture. White button or cremini mushrooms work well.
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates rich base and helps brown the meat. Use unsalted butter for better control of salt content.
  • Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth texture.
  • Beef Broth: Provides deep, savory liquid base for the sauce. Low-sodium broth recommended.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Mustard: Adds tangy, sharp undertone to the sauce. Dijon mustard provides best flavor.
  • Sour Cream: Creates creamy, tangy finish. Full-fat version gives richest taste.
  • White Wine: Adds depth and acidity to the sauce. Dry white wine preferred.
Serving Component:
  • Noodles: Traditional base for stroganoff. Wide egg noodles recommended for classic presentation.

How To Make Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff

How To Make Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff

Step 1: Prepare The Beef

Cut chuck roast into 1/2-inch-thick by 2-inch-long strips after carefully trimming away all fat and gristle. Season meat with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Sear The Meat

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt butter. Quickly sear beef strips until they develop a golden brown exterior.

Step 3: Cook Onions

Move beef to one side of skillet. Add onions and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently until they become soft and translucent.

Step 4: Create Sauce Base

Sprinkle flour over pan juices and stir to combine. Gradually pour in beef broth, whisking continuously until mixture starts to boil and thicken.

Step 5: Simmer The Beef

Add dijon mustard and reduce heat. Cover skillet and let beef simmer for 1 hour until meat becomes incredibly tender.

Step 6: Final Touches

Stir in ingredients:
  • Sour cream
  • White wine
  • Mushrooms

Cook for additional 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step 7: Serve

Ladle stroganoff over prepared egg noodles and enjoy immediately.

Practical Advice For Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff

  • Enhance Sauce Depth: Brown flour carefully to eliminate raw, chalky undertones that can diminish your stroganoff's rich flavor profile.
  • Master Meat Cutting: Slice beef chuck roast at a precise angle against muscle fibers, ensuring each bite remains incredibly tender and succulent.
  • Select Premium Protein: Opt for well-marbled chuck roast, which guarantees maximum flavor intensity and melt-in-your-mouth texture throughout the dish.
  • Balance Seasoning Subtly: Taste sauce incrementally, adding pinches of salt and pepper to develop a harmonious, well-rounded flavor without overwhelming the delicate meat and mushroom notes.
  • Control Moisture Strategically: Allow excess liquid to reduce naturally, concentrating the sauce's complexity and preventing a watery, lackluster consistency that can compromise the stroganoff's luxurious appeal.

Tips For Storing Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff

  • Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer for beef stroganoff. Remove all air to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor integrity. Place cooled stroganoff in vacuum-seal bags, seal completely, and store flat in the freezer for maximum space efficiency.
  • Portion Freezing: Divide leftover stroganoff into individual serving sizes before freezing. Use small freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label each portion with the date and contents. This method allows easy thawing of exactly what you need without defrosting the entire batch.
  • Glass Container Storage: Transfer cooled stroganoff to glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Glass prevents flavor absorption and allows easy monitoring of food condition. Stack containers efficiently in the refrigerator, keeping the meal fresh for up to 4 days. Ensure containers are completely cool before sealing to prevent condensation.

Creative Twists On Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff

  • Spicy Beef Stroganoff: Kick up the heat by adding diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the beef while cooking. The spicy element brings a bold flavor profile that complements the rich, creamy sauce.
  • Vegetarian Mushroom Stroganoff: Replace beef with a mix of portobello and cremini mushrooms, keeping the same cooking technique. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a hearty meat-free version that doesn't compromise on taste.
  • Lean Protein Stroganoff: Swap chuck roast with turkey or chicken breast for a lighter protein option. Maintain the same seasoning and cooking method to ensure the dish remains flavorful and tender.
  • Mediterranean-Inspired Stroganoff: Incorporate herbs like rosemary and thyme, and replace white wine with a splash of red wine. Add kalamata olives and a sprinkle of feta cheese on top for a Mediterranean twist on the classic recipe.

Parting Thoughts On Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff

Alton Brown’s beef stroganoff whisks comfort and sophistication into one remarkable dish.

Classic Russian cuisine meets American culinary innovation through this masterful recipe.

Hearty chuck roast transforms into tender morsels bathed in rich, creamy sauce.

Mushrooms and sour cream create luxurious depth that elevates home cooking.

Culinary enthusiasts can savor each complex bite of this traditional yet reinvented classic.

Passionate cooks, share this incredible recipe, spark kitchen conversations, and inspire delicious memories with friends and family.

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Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Alton Brown Beef Stroganoff Recipe


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4.7 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Alton Brown’s beef stroganoff delivers rich Russian comfort with a gourmet twist. Tender beef, creamy mushroom sauce, and perfectly seasoned noodles combine to make this classic dish a home kitchen favorite you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 2 pounds (907 grams) beef chuck roast

Seasonings:

  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon prepared mustard

Other Ingredients:

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) butter
  • 4 green onions, sliced (white parts only)
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 (10.5 ounces/298 grams) can of condensed beef broth
  • 1 (6 ounces/170 grams) can sliced mushrooms, drained
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • ⅓ cup white wine
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Carefully trim the chuck roast, removing excess fat and gristle, then slice into uniform strips approximately 1/2-inch (1.27 centimeters) thick and 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) long. Season the meat generously with 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) ground black pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium temperature, melt the butter until it becomes golden and fragrant. Quickly sear the seasoned beef strips, ensuring a rich, caramelized exterior.
  3. Shift the browned beef to one side of the skillet, then introduce chopped onions to the open space. Sauté the onions for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently until they become translucent and slightly golden.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the pan’s accumulated meat juices, creating a roux. Gradually pour in beef broth, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a smooth, thickening sauce.
  5. Incorporate mustard into the simmering liquid, reducing heat to low. Cover the skillet and allow the beef to braise for approximately one hour, ensuring the meat becomes exceptionally tender.
  6. During the final 5 minutes of cooking, gently fold in sour cream, white wine, and sliced mushrooms. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste, allowing the ingredients to meld together.
  7. Serve the rich, savory beef mixture over a bed of steamed noodles, ensuring each portion is generously coated with the luxurious sauce.

Notes

  • Choose a well-marbled chuck roast to ensure rich, deep flavor in your dish.
  • Cutting beef against the grain breaks down muscle fibers, making each bite incredibly tender and easy to chew.
  • Toasting flour in the pan eliminates that unpleasant raw flour taste, creating a smoother, more developed sauce base.
  • Taste and customize seasonings throughout cooking to match your personal flavor profile, balancing salt and pepper for perfect results.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 445
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 556 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 111 mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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