This article provides a comprehensive guide to making a delicious and healthy keto beef stroganoff using a slow cooker. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a comforting and flavorful meal that is both low in carbs and high in protein.
Introduction
The keto beef stroganoff recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a classic comfort food while adhering to a ketogenic diet. This slow cooker version is incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal effort and delivering maximum flavor. It's an excellent option for those seeking a hearty, family-approved meal that aligns with their low-carb lifestyle.
Why This Recipe Works
This crock pot beef stroganoff recipe is a winner for several reasons:
- Ridiculously Easy: Just toss everything in the slow cooker (minus the dairy), set it, and forget about it. When you come back, add the creamy goodness, and dinner is done.
- Seriously Tasty: The silky, savory, creamy gravy is rich, comforting, and downright addicting.
- Family-Approved: This recipe has earned "most requested" status, making it a hit with the whole crew.
- Keto-Friendly: By skipping the traditional noodles and serving over mashed cauliflower or other low-carb options, this dish fits perfectly into a ketogenic diet.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this delectable keto beef stroganoff:
- Beef Stew Meat: Buying already cubed beef will save you some time. If you can't find it, buy a chuck roast, bottom round, eye of round, or rump roast and cut it into bite-sized pieces. 1 1/2 lbs. beef stew meat or roast cut in small chunks
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Use a store-bought variety or make a homemade version. 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- Dried Onion Soup Mix: French onion soup mix could also be used. A package of onion soup mix only has 4 g of carbs with less than 1 g of net carbs.
- Cream Cheese: It is very important that it is very soft.
- Beef Broth: This adds moisture and richness to the dish. 1/4 cup beef broth
- Optional Thickeners: A corn starch slurry (1 tablespoon of corn starch whisked together with 1 tablespoon of cold water) may also be used. Xanthan gum is a low carb alternative thickener.
- Worcestershire sauce: provides umami. 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Seasonings: salt, black pepper, and paprika but you can add others of your choice such as garlic or onion powder. 1/2 tsp.
- Olive oil: to brown the vegetables and beef. 3 tablespoon olive oil this is used only if pre-browning/sauteeing before slow cooking
- Chuck roast: A favorite for slow-cooking because it’s cheap and softens nicely after cooking long and slow.
- Mushrooms: Slice them up and let them simmer in the creamy sauce. 8 ounces white button mushrooms sliced
- Onion and garlic: Need I say more? How can we not add these flavorful ingredients? 1 small onion, small diced. Chop and add onion and minced garlic with the beef for extra depth and aroma. Onions and garlic are always welcome! 4 garlic cloves minced
- Bone broth: I prefer a homemade beef bone broth and almost always have it in my freezer.
- Apple cider vinegar:
- Tomato paste: you save carbs by using tomato paste rather than canned tomatoes. Tomato paste is higher in carbs but you only need a small amount. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Dijon mustard: adds tang to the rich and creamy sauce
- Red wine: use broth instead if desired. ⅓ cup red wine
- Sour cream: use full-fat sour cream for the ultimate comfort food. I like to stir it in with the broth and make a sour cream sauce. I also have a keto stroganoff skillet version of this recipe that can make on the stove. I use a sirloin steak in that recipe and it takes just 30 minutes. 1 ¼ cups nonfat plain Greek yogurt (or light sour cream if desired) AT ROOM TEMP to prevent curdling.
- Bacon: fatty cuts work best. It’s called “streaky bacon” here because of the streaks of fat marbled through. It’s also called side bacon.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to make this easy and delicious keto beef stroganoff in your slow cooker:
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- Prep the Ingredients: Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the mushrooms. Cube the stewing steak and dice the bacon. Season chunks of beef with salt, pepper, and paprika on all sides.
- Brown the Beef (Optional): While not strictly necessary, searing the beef before adding it to the slow cooker adds depth of flavor. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown for about 4-5 minutes on each side.
- Sauté the Vegetables (Optional): In the same skillet, heat remaining olive oil and cook the onions and mushrooms over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Spray crockpot with nonstick spray. Add beef stew meat, cream of mushroom soup, dried onion soup mix, sliced mushrooms, tomato paste, beef broth, red wine, apple cider vinegar, onion and garlic to the slow cooker. Stir 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!
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or on HIGH for 4 hours, or LOW for 6-8 hours depending on your time, until the beef is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Add Dairy: About 30 minutes before serving, add very soft cream cheese and stir to melt until incorporated. Add sour cream and stir.
- Thicken (If Needed): If the stroganoff sauce (gravy) is too runny, keep the lid off the slow cooker after adding cheese and sour cream to allow moisture to evaporate. You can also dissolve ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum in 1 teaspoon of olive oil as a low-carb thickener. Or, you can make a cornstarch slurry of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Add the mixture to the crockpot juices and stir.
- Season and Serve: Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over riced cauliflower (keto and low carb option), egg noodles, or rice. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme for a pop of color and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker beef stroganoff is versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. For a low-carb or keto meal, consider these options:
- Mashed cauliflower (try different flavors like asiago or creamy)
- Riced cauliflower (plain or with spinach)
- Steamed green beans
- Zucchini noodles or cabbage noodles
- Spaghetti squash
- Broccoli with cheese
For those not following a keto diet, you can serve it over traditional egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Tips and Variations
- Swap the Meat: Substitute cube steaks for the beef cubes. Craving chicken stroganoff? Sub in boneless chicken breasts or thighs and use cream of chicken soup instead.
- Add Depth of Flavor: Sear the beef cubes in a hot skillet before adding them to your slow cooker beef stroganoff.
- Make it Vegetarian: Replace the beef with hearty mushrooms (think portobello or cremini), tofu cubes, or a beef-style meatless substitute.
- Adjust the Dairy: For a lighter option, use light sour cream and reduced-fat cream cheese for a lower-calorie twist. For a dairy-free version, sub the sour cream and cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative like plain coconut yogurt, dairy-free cream cheese, or cashew cream.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a little heat.
Make it in an Instant Pot
Yes! To make Instant Pot beef stroganoff: add 1 cup beef broth to the bottom of the pot, then add the beef, the dried onion soup mix, and mushrooms, then top with the canned soup. Pressure cook for 10 to 15 minutes, and then use the quick release once it's finished. Add the dairy ingredients. Stir until it is melted. If it is too runny, thicken with a little cornstarch or xanthan gum.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
- Meal Prep: You can add everything to the crockpot except the dairy (which is added after cooking), cover it, and then store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or, you can cook it all, store it in the fridge, and reheat it when you want to serve it.
- Storage: Store leftover slow cooker beef stroganoff in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Allow the beef stroganoff to cool before freezing and then store in an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and heat gently, stirring well.
Nutritional Information
The approximate nutritional information per serving is:
- Calories: 267
- Net Carbs: 6.5g
- Protein: 33.3g
- Fat: 11g
Note: Nutritional information can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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