A slow beef braise and roasted mushrooms are the secret to the best beef stroganoff recipe, the most popular dish at Salt Lake City’s Copper Onion, and the only way I’ll ever make beef stroganoff again.
The BEST Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Salt Lake City is on a local food scene high and I’m one of the lucky locals to reap the benefits. This homemade beef stroganoff recipe is just one meal of the many that locals call a favorite.
The first time I had it was while sitting at the counter of one of the most popular restaurants in Salt Lake City, Copper Onion, and I immediately started quizzing the chef cooking directly across from me for details about the recipe. I absorbed about half of the instructions in between forkfuls, but now, thanks to the new cookbook Salt Lake City Chef’s Table, I don’t have to rely on my fading memory.
Instead, it was the first thing I made from the cookbook’s pages authored by Becky and Josh Rosenthal of the food blog The Vintage Mixer. And I’m sharing the recipe and its secret as to why its my comfort food fave.
Of all of the couples I know, Becky and Josh most embody the simple lifestyle that is so currently in vogue. Except for that these two come by it honestly.
Sure, Josh sports flannel shirts and a hipster beard and Becky is a natural beauty who is always effortlessly chic. But its their authenticity to living a simple life that’s reflected in the same tone and earthy style you’ll find on her food blog The Vintage Mixer.
Becky’s blog exudes the same calmness and ease as its seasonal recipes do when made in your own kitchen.
Becky’s real and simply styled photography begs you to pull up a chair at her dining room table and enjoy one of Josh’s artisanal cocktails while noshing on bites from locals like Tulie Bakery breads, award winning Beehive cheeses (their Barely Buzzed is not to be missed) and the now-nationally-known Creminelli cured meats that started right here in SLC.
Hailing from West Texas—Lubbock to be exact—Becky and Josh knew of one another in high school but didn’t actually make a connection until being reintroduced in college. “Think Friday Night Lights and you’ll get an appropriate picture of our childhood. Our rival high school was actually the one the TV show was filmed about,” Becky says.
Now this couple lives in Salt Lake City and have authored Salt Lake City Chef’s Table, sharing some of the most popular recipes from favorite Salt Lake City eateries, and as a devotee of eating all the good stuff in SLC, I’m totally devoted to this cookbook.
Chef Ryan Lowder introduced Utah diners to small plates, Shishito Peppers, Lamb Riblets and a Wagyu Beef Stroganoff like no other. Because of Lowder’s kitchen prowess and ingenuity, Copper Onion is arguably Salt Lake City’s most popular restaurant and is consistently awarded praise by local food critics, out of state visitors and regular folk alike.
His beef stroganoff recipe is just one of the 80 included in Becky and Josh’s cookbook and is welcome at my dinner table any time.
Homemade Beef Stroganoff Ingredients
When making this homemade beef stroganoff recipe, you’ll first have to season and cook the beef until fork tender before adding it to the creamy sauce.
Here’s what you’ll need for the beef itself:
- Chuck tail or chuck roast
- Onion
- Celery
- Carrot
- Garlic
- Bay leaves
- Fresh thyme
- Water or beef stock
And for the creamy stroganoff sauce and pasta, you’ll need:
- Cremini mushrooms
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Shallot
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Kosher salt and pepper
- Pasta
- Créme fraîche
- Fresh chives
How to Make Beef Stroganoff
The beef is generously salt and peppered before being seared a little olive oil. The onions, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves and thyme are added to the Dutch oven and the whole mixture gets topped off with beef stock.
Pop the beef into the oven and check back in 2 hours later to see how it’s doing. When the beef is fork tender, set it aside to cool and strain the liquid from the vegetables, then discard the vegetables.
Once the beef is done, it’s just a matter of roasting the mushrooms before making the stroganoff sauce. The beef gets added back into the sauce and is rewarmed as the mixture thickens up.
Serve this easy beef stroganoff over your pasta of choice and garnish with fresh chives for a burst of fresh flavor.
Can I Use a Heavy Cream Substitute?
No, homemade beef stroganoff is one of those dishes where you have to use the good stuff. Don’t try using half and half or another lower fat alternative here — heavy cream is the way to go.
Where Can I Find Créme Fraiche?
Créme fraiche is sold at most grocery stores. It should be right next to the sour cream and yogurt.
Tips for Making the Best Beef Stroganoff
While Lowder uses Wagyu beef in his Beef Stroganoff, he’s instructed home cooks that a chuck tail is perfectly acceptable. Either one is slow braised for 3 to 5 hours to create the most tender of bites of beef. If chuck tail is unavailable, chuck roast works well too.
I’ve always used sour cream to add the tang to my stroganoff, but this recipe calls for the mellower, less tart créme fraiche topping the pasta dish in the final stage, and just ½ cup of cream combined with the braising liquid to create a lush sauce you won’t forget.
What makes this recipe so special is the sauce, or more aptly, the depth of the sauce. The secret to getting that depth lies in the roasting of the mushrooms before adding them to the meat. Doing so deepens the flavors and makes the whole dish meatier and more savory.
A hearty egg noodle is best in this dish and a high quality pappardelle (this is my favorite) is a good one to stand up to the meaty sauce.
More Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love
- Baby Back Ribs in the Instant Pot
- Easy Chicken Breasts with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
- Mom’s Homemade Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- Daddy’s Baked Hamburgers
- The Cheesiest Spinach and Cheese Lasagna
- Roasted Mushroom Stroganoff
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Roasted Mushroom Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound chuck tail or chuck roast , cut into chunks
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1 cup sliced carrot
- 4 cloves garlic , peeled and smashed
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- water or beef stock
For the Stroganoff:
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms , thickly sliced or quartered
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small shallot , sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , sliced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup braising liquid
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces pappardelle pasta
- ½ cup créme fraîche
- ¼ cup fresh chives , chopped
Instructions
To Prepare the Beef:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Season the meat with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat an oven-safe dutch oven to medium-high heat on the stove with the olive oil. Brown the meat in batches if needed but do not crowd the pan.
- Add the onions, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves and thyme to the meat and add enough water or stock to cover. Place in the oven, uncovered. Check after 2 hours and add more water or stock if necessary to keep the meat and vegetables covered.
- When the meat is fork tender, remove it from the oven. Pick the meat from the pot and set aside to cool and strain the liquid from the vegetables, then discard the vegetables. Cool the liquid and skim most of the fat from the top, reserving the braising liquid for later.
To Prepare the Stroganoff:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Toss the mushrooms with the olive oil and a sprinkling of kosher salt and roast for 15-20 minutes.
- In a large sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter then add the shallot, garlic, and roasted mushrooms and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved beef, cream and reserved braising liquid and cook until the liquid is reduced and thickened, about 7 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta, then add it to the sauté pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve with a dollop of créme fraîche and fresh chives.
Notes
- Reprinted with permission, Becky Rosenthal
Nutrition
What to Make With This Recipe to Make a Meal
- Beet, Carrot and Pomegranate Salad
- Citrus, Fennel and Avocado Salad
- Sweet Carrots with Tarragon
- Winter Green Salad with Orange Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Purchase Salt Lake City Chef’s Table here.
Follow Becky here: The Vintage Mixer | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest
Portrait photography by Big Bear Photo Co.
We send good emails. Subscribe to FoodieCrush and have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.
Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more FoodieCrush inspiration.
As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There may be affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own
It may have been too long to get a response here, but I’d like to try this, only confusion for me is adding the cream, I have re-read a few times, and it sounds like you mean the 1/2 Cup heavy cream, and to use the 1/2 Cup Creme Fraiche for topping only. Or do both go into the sauce ?
I have made this multiple times– the cream fraiche is for a topping: I just top the pasta with it. The whipping cream I use is 1 cup. It doesn’t look like a lot of sauce, but with the pasta and chives, it is perfect.
This would make my husband happy!
The directions on this recipe are so confusing!!! You really need to fix it before someone goes out and spends all that money and then burns their dinner!!
Sorry you found them confusing. I make it all the time and it always works for me.
If it helps – I think the only confusing thing is it never tells you to put it into the oven. If you read down, you get the gist and know to put it in the oven but otherwise, for a newbie, that wouldn’t be so clear. Another reason to always read recipes 2 or 3 times before cooking! Thanks for the great recipe. :)
“Add the onions, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves and thyme to the meat and add enough water or stock to cover. Check after 2 hours and add more water or stock if necessary to keep the meat and vegetables covered. When the meat is fork tender, remove it from the oven. “
I agree on the confusion. I also think it would help to understand approximately how long to get fork tender beef. I loved this dish at copper onion.
Had to call an audible and pick up dinner because cooking the meat is taking longer than planned. I’ll finish the meat tonight and do the stroganoff tomorrow.
I do really appreciate this recipe. One of my favorite SLC food experiences.
My Stroganoff looks slightly different but I believe that there are no mistakes. It’s always delicious. :-)
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I made this tonight and it was wonderful! My family raved and raved about it. Thank you for sharing.
This is mouth-watering! Great recipe! :D
This looks fabulous, but I have a few questions about the recipe.
In the first paragraph, when you add the stock to cover – it says check after 2 hours – do you continue cooking at the medium high heat? That seams a little high, so I’m assuming simmer or low for 2 hours? Also, should you cover with lid?
“When the meat is fork tender, remove it from the oven.” when do you put it in the oven? the direction don’t say anything about putting the meat in the oven.
What do you do with the vegetables? it says discard? so you actually throw them out? they are not needed for the dish any where else?
I’ve never heard of or used créme fraiche, can you find it with the sour cream?
thanks for your help, I could dive into that plate!
Really I am highly impressed to learn about Roasted Mushroom Beef by reading your blog! I pray to almighty that you can grow up more and more and share your
knowledge among us. By the way do you have anything special on your blog
about Mushroom? looking forward to your reply
What a beautiful tribute and post about Becky and Josh. They deserve all the wonderful blessings as their truly one of the most down to earth and honest couple I know. The blogging community is better off with Becky in it. Lucky to call her a friend. Heartfelt write up, Heidi! xo
Such an honor to be highlighted on your site Heidi!! Thanks so much for taking the time and effort (I know it’s a lot of effort to make beef stroganoff look good) for this post! And I’m blessed, more than you know, by your words and the words from the comments! Absolutely made my day!
I just LOVE this post, Heidi. I had the chance to meet Becky earlier this year and she is a true gem. I’m totally smitten with her and her authenticity. Total girl crush!
I had the pleasure of meeting Becky in person last year and she is such a gem! I always look forward to her recipes on The Vintage Mixer. Pinning this stroganoff because, well, HELLO YUMMINESS.
Such a great write up! Becky deserves every kind word. Thanks for reminding me that I need to make this dish again!
I have such a massive crush on Becky as well!! This is such a beautiful post, Heidi. And Becky – you are such an inspiration and incredible talent. Not to mention a natural beauty. I am honored to consider you a colleague and friend!!
I agree Liz, she’s the real deal and one of my favorites, too.
Oh this is just gorgeous! I’m not usually a mushroom fan, but this could change my mind!
One of my favorite meals! I can’t wait to make this version!
Great book, beautiful recipe and photos. I can almost smell those roasting mushrooms…
Congrats to Josh and Becky! Beautiful book, and we LOVE beef stroganoff!