This is hands-down the BEST crock pot beef stroganoff recipe—easy to make, insanely delicious, and perfect for busy nights! Just toss everything in the crockpot and let it simmer into tender, fall apart tender beef and mushrooms in a rich, creamy, flavor-packed gravy. Serve it over riced cauli, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes for a cozy dinner the whole family will devour. Oh, and did we mention it’s high protein, low carb, and totally keto-friendly? Yeah... it’s that good.
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The backstory.
Let me tell you—this recipe for beef stroganoff in a crockpot has been the MVP of so many of our family events. What started as a simple weeknight dinner turned into a full-blown fan favorite. I’m talking friends, neighbors, even our kids’ friends—every single sports event, potluck, or post-game hangout, someone would casually ask, “You didn’t happen to bring that beef stroganoff, did you?”
It got to the point where I just started making it in massive batches. Yes, this recipe can totally be tripled—or even quadrupled—if your slow cooker’s up for the challenge (mine’s seen some things). It’s comforting, hearty, and always, always the first thing to disappear. You’ve been warned!
xoxo Kori
The must-make crockpot beef stroganoff.
Ridiculously Easy. This slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe is what busy dinner dreams are made of. Just toss in everything (minus the dairy), set it, and go live your best life. When you come back? Add the creamy goodness and boom—dinner is done. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.
Seriously Tasty. What makes this dish so crave-worthy? That silky, savory, creamy gravy. It's rich, comforting, and downright addicting. If you're a sauce-lover like me, you’ll be scraping the slow cooker clean. No shame.
Family-Approved. This recipe has earned “most requested” status in my house—and that’s saying something. The whole crew gets excited when this is on the menu. Kid-friendly, adult-approved, and totally worth the hype.
What you'll need.
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this crockpot beef stroganoff recipe:
- 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.
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup - make this homemade version or use a store-bought variety. Substitute any condensed soup like onion or golden mushroom, etc.
- Dried Onion Soup Mix - french onion soup mix could also be used. Adjust salt pepper if needed.
- Fresh Mushrooms - use fresh sliced mushrooms or canned mushrooms that have been drained.
- Sour Cream - keto followers should use full fat, but fat-free can also be used if you want to lower the fat.
- Cream Cheese - it is very important that it is very soft. Full-fat, reduced-fat, or fat-free can be used.
- Salt and Black Pepper
- Fresh Herbs - adding thyme, parsley, or sliced green onions lends freshness as well as color.
- 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. Dissolve half a teaspoon in 1 teaspoon of olive oil and add to the stroganoff.
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
Customize it your way.
- Turn up the heat by adding red pepper flakes or a splash of your favorite hot sauce for a spicy twist.
- Toss in fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for a burst of earthy flavor.
- Chop and add onion and minced garlic with the beef for extra depth and aroma. Onions and garlic are always welcome!
- Season it up with garlic powder or paprika—both add warmth and a little kick.
- Swap in cube steaks for the beef cubes. Just don’t cut them up, and reduce the slow cooker time slightly.
- Add a tangy twist with a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a spoonful of Dijon mustard.
- Craving chicken stroganoff? Sub in boneless chicken breasts or thighs and use cream of chicken soup instead. Just be sure to cut the cook time down.
- No fresh mushrooms? No problem. Canned, drained mushrooms work like a charm.
- Want next-level flavor? Sear the beef cubes in a hot medium high heat skillet before adding them to your slow cooker beef stroganoff. It’s not required—but the extra flavor is chef’s kiss.
Flexible dietary swaps.
Whether you're low carb, gluten-free, or just doing your own thing in the kitchen, this recipe for beef stroganoff in a crock pot plays nice with all kinds of dietary tweaks:
- Low Carb / Keto: Skip the noodles and serve over mashed cauliflower, riced cauliflower, or steamed green beans. You can also swap traditional flour for a low-carb thickener like xanthan gum or almond flour.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup or make your own. And double-check your Worcestershire sauce—it’s not always gluten-free!
- Dairy-Free: Sub the sour cream and cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative like plain coconut yogurt, dairy-free cream cheese, or cashew cream. Just keep an eye on flavor—add a splash of lemon juice for tang.
- Lighter Option: Use light sour cream and reduced-fat cream cheese for a lower-calorie twist. You could even swap some of the stew meat for mushrooms to bulk it up, plant-style.
- Vegetarian Version: Replace the beef with hearty mushrooms (think portobello or cremini), tofu cubes, or a beef-style meatless substitute. Use veggie broth and dairy-free alternatives for a fully plant-based spin.
- Soup Swap: No cream of mushroom? Try cream of chicken, cream of celery, or make a quick homemade version with broth, milk, and a thickener.
How to make slow cooker beef stroganoff.
Follow these simple steps for making this recipe for beef stroganoff in a crock pot! For full details, see the recipe card below. Enjoy!
Slow cook
First things first. Add everything but the dairy ingredients and slow cook until the beef is tender.
Make it creamy
Add in the dairy (be sure to soften the cream cheese before adding).
How to serve it.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste then top it off with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme for a pop of color and flavor. That’s it—easy and delicious.
- This slow cooker beef stroganoff is the ultimate comfort food, and it plays well with all your favorite sides. Spoon it generously over classic egg noodles, fluffy rice, or creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty, cozy meal.
- Going low carb or keto? No problem. Serve it over riced cauliflower or mashed cauliflower for all the comfort, minus the carbs.
- Meal idea: Pair your crock pot beef stroganoff with a side of steamed or air-fried broccoli for a well-rounded dinner that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying.
Kori's tips.
- Add cream cheese only after it has been softened or even warmed in the microwave - this helps it melt better when adding to the slow cooker.
- 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. Allow to sit until thickened.
FAQs
Store leftover slow cooker beef stroganoff in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Due to the high dairy content it is not recommended that this recipe be frozen.
You can lower the fat in this slow cooker beef stroganoff by substituting fat-free or low-fat dairy and cream of mushroom soup.
Keep in mind that using lower fat ingredients may cause your keto beef stroganoff to be runnier.
Beef stew meat or a beef chuck roast is my favorite cut of beef for slow cooker beef stroganoff. Bottom round, eye round, rump roast, and top round are also good choices.
Your slow cooker beef stroganoff is done when the meat is tender and breaks apart easily with a fork.
A package of onion soup mix only has 4 g of carbs with less than 1 g of net carbs. A serving size in one package is 8. That is only 0.5g of carbs per serving.
This keto beef stroganoff recipe serves 10, of the total carbs in this recipe coming from the onion soup mix are only 0.4g. I consider that a low-carb onion soup mix!
Yes, you have two options. One, 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.
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. See recipe card notes.
Another option, if you have the time at the start, you can season the meat with a little salt and pepper at the beginning and brown the meat before layering in the other ingredients. It adds great flavor, but if you're in a hurry I'd skip that step.
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📖 The recipe.
Easy Creamy Beef Stroganoff Crockpot Recipe
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds beef stew meat
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 recipe or packet onion soup mix (our homemade recipe is easy!)
- 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced (or, 8 oz canned mushrooms, drained)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- salt and black pepper to taste
- optional garnish: fresh parsley or thyme
- optional thickener: ½ teaspoon or 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Spray crockpot with nonstick spray. Add beef stew meat, cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and sliced mushrooms. Stir until combined.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, add very soft cream cheese and stir to melt until incorporated. Add sour cream and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve over riced cauliflower (keto and low carb option), egg noodles, or rice. Sprinkle with parsley or thyme.
Video
Kori's Tips
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- TO THICKEN THE SAUCE before serving:
- Xanthan Gum (low carb option): dissolve ½ teaspoon xanthan gum with 1 teaspoon olive oil, then add to sauce at the end. Stir in and allow to thicken before serving.
- Corn Starch Slurry: 1 tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in a ladle full of the stroganoff sauce. Leave the lid off of the crock pot and continue to cook on low until the sauce thickens.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve over rice or egg noodles with a fresh side salad, steamed broccoli, or beans. Low-carb keto followers serve over riced cauliflower or zoodles.
Nutrition
© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™
Renee
Can I use chicken breast?
seekinggoodeats
I believe you could! I haven't tried that yet but let me know how it turns out. It sounds like a great idea!
Renee
I only have a 1 1/2 lbs of beef stew meat, so I was thinking to sub the other lb with chicken... we’ll see what happens!
seekinggoodeats
Let me know! I love experimenting with ingredients you never know will come of it 🙂
Stacy
Absolutely fantastic.
seekinggoodeats
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!
Monica
Does this call for 2 one half lbs of beef stew meat or 2 1/2 lbs? 🙂
seekinggoodeats
2 1/2 lbs 🙂 That totally looked weird and confusing! Thanks for noticing - I changed it. Enjoy!
Myrissa
How many people does this feed?
seekinggoodeats
8 to 10 servings
Nancy
What do you say a serving is?
seekinggoodeats
Around 3/4 cup.
Cate
Sorry to be silly.... is it one can of cream of mushroom or two? Info is conflicted in the top of the article versus the recipe. Itself
seekinggoodeats
It should be 1 can of soup, thanks Cate!
Stephanie
Could I use ground beef? I would brown it first.
seekinggoodeats
Yes, I'm sure. Let me know how it turns out. I thought about making it that way too. You won't need to cook very long in a crockpot if beef is already cooked. 🙂
Elizabeth
Is this something that would freeze well?
seekinggoodeats
Yes, I have frozen it before!
Lyss
Can I put in the meat frozen? Or has to be thawed?
seekinggoodeats
Hi! So I will say that I have cooked meat in the crockpot from frozen in the past with no issues. However, according to the USDA the crockpot can't heat the food up fast enough to kill off the bacteria. To be on the safe side I would recommend defrosting in your microwave then tossing the meat in. There seems to be some debate on this across the internet, but here is a link to their info:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/shared/PDF/Slow_Cookers_and_Food_Safety.pdf
Olivia
Made this for dinner tonight according to recipe. Was delicious! My husband and I both loved it. I did not add xantham but did leave lid off for about 45 mins and it was plenty thick. Great recipe!
Mandy
Can you use Strognoff seasoning from McCormick instead of the dried onion soup mix?
Kori
I haven't used their seasoning mix, but I don't see why you couldn't though. Double-check how much meat you need for their seasoning per pound not the quantity of the onion soup mix. You may also need to adjust salt and pepper at the end too. Let me know how it turns out I'm super curious!! 🙂
Stacey
I see the macros for this but what are the calories per serving ?
seekinggoodeats
Hi Stacey, 284 calories per serving. The nutritional analysis is back in the post again! Enjoy!
Kala
Can this be cooked in an instant pot?
seekinggoodeats
Yes, it can! Please see the notes in the FAQ's section for instructions on how to make instant pot beef stroganoff.
Allison R
Can you brown the meat before you put it in the crockpot?
seekinggoodeats
Hi Allison, you sure can!
Yvonne
I accidentally put in the sour cream with everything thing morning, except the cream cheese. Will it be spoiled? It’s very watery right now. I’m hoping I don’t have to throw it away. It’s been 7 hours now. Do you think the cream cheese will thicken it when added?
seekinggoodeats
Hi! The liquid will naturally build up in a slow cooker anyway, and the cheese will help it chicken as the stroganoff cools. Also, you could remove the lid about 30 minutes (or more) prior to serving to let some of the liquid evaporate. The sour cream added early means that it could curdle, unfortunately. I follow a low carb diet so I use 1/2 tsp xanthan gum to thicken soups and stews if needed. If you are not following a low carb diet you could use some flour mixed with some of the stroganoff as a thickener.
Ruth
Can't wait to make this tomorrow I love stroganoff, sounds like a great keto addition to my meal planning. The only question I have is how much is each setving. So many recipes State how many servings but I would love to have the measurements
. Can't wait to try some of your other menus.
seekinggoodeats
About 3/4 cup for each serving of crock pot beef stroganoff.
Kath
Don’t add the water to can soup , correct ... ? Making and just checking.. thanks having tonight 👍
seekinggoodeats
You are correct! 🙂
Amanda Tenney
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
seekinggoodeats
Yes, it can! Please see the notes in the FAQ's section for instructions on how to make pressure cooker beef stroganoff.
Nikki
Can you cook it on high for less time?
seekinggoodeats
Yep! You can cook on slow cooker beef stroganoff on High for approximately 4 hours or until meat is tender! 🙂 Some crockpots cook hotter then others so it's hard to be exact. Hope you like it!
Savanna
I added in the sour cream & cream cheese with everything else and now it’s cooking. Do you think that’s ok??
seekinggoodeats
Hi Savannah! It is highly possible your dairy could separate and curdle. I sent an email to your gmail address, with some options! Hope I'm not too late 🙂
Jude
I make crack chicken with cream cheese and it cooks fine 🙂
Kori
Sounds great! 🙂 Thank you!
Selina
I just did the same thing? Can you please let me know how to not ruin dinner. The dairy was mixed in with everything else when I was in a hurry
seekinggoodeats
It will hopefully be okay, keep it on low. Refresh with a little extra sour cream, cream, or cream cheese when it's done cooking.
Sara k Borman
Hi there! This looks delicious. What do you think would be a good alternative to the cream of mushroom soup?
seekinggoodeats
Hello Sara! If you don't like the taste of mushroom soup, use condensed onion is a good substitute. If you use cream of onion, make sure to only use half of the onion soup mix or it will be salty. If you are avoiding all cream of "anything" soups, you could try 1 cup of cream or sour cream (light is fine too). You could even try 1 cup beef gravy (homemade or from a jar). If your stroganoff becomes too runny in the end, just use a thickener or take the lid off and let it evaporate some. Honestly, I've been short ingredients before and have made substitutions as needed. Somehow it always comes out delicious! 🙂
Margie
This is now one of my "go-to" recipes. I put it on in the morning before work and it's pretty much done when I get home. LOVE IT!
seekinggoodeats
Thanks Margie! Glad you love it. This low carb slow cooker beef stroganoff is a perfect solution if you work full time or have a busy week!
Laura
Hi!! My family and I LOVE this recipe but I am short on time today, have you done it using an instapot? Thanks for sharing!!
seekinggoodeats
Hope I'm getting this back to you in time! Yes, I have done it in the instant pot! I would add 1 cup of beef broth to the bottom of the pot, then add the beef, the dried onion soup mix, the mushrooms, then top with the canned soup. I would then pressure cook for 10 to 15 minutes and then use the quick release once it's finished. From there you can stir it all up, add the sour cream and cream cheese. If it is too runny I'd thicken with a little cornstarch, xanthan gum, or flour. One other thing, if you have the time at the start, you can season the meat with a little salt and pepper at the beginning and brown the meat before layering in the other ingredients. It adds great flavor, but if you'r in a hurry I'd skip that step. 🙂
seekinggoodeats
I forgot! Thank you for trying out this slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe! Super happy you and your family love it 🙂
Debbie
This was delicious and super easy!
seekinggoodeats
Thanks Debbie! It is a family favorite of ours, and all of our friends too. I love that you can just dump everything into the crock pot and forget about it until dinner!
Julie
I loved this..super easy and yummy..going to make it again..!!
seekinggoodeats
Thank you so much! I have this crockpot beef stroganoff on my menu this weekend! 🙂