What beef to use for stroganoff

Originating in Russia in the mid-19th century, beef stroganoff has continued to be a family favourite. With its succulent meat and delicious sauce rich to the point of being irresistible, the popularity is justified. When you get the recipe right, you can expect everyone to be licking their plates, shortly followed by a food coma.

This meal is quick to prepare and cook, and is also great for leftovers as it will hold in the fridge for three to four days.

What is the sauce made of?

The sauce is a wonderful combination of sour cream, mustard and beef stock, thickened with cornflour. There are many variations – some with Worcestershire, some with soy sauce – we like to add a bit of tomato paste to give a richer, punchier flavour.

Let’s talk beef. What’s the best cut for a good stroganoff?

A common issue is knowing what cut of beef is best to create a scrumptious stroganoff. Get it right and you’ll have a delicate dish, but get it wrong and you’ll be biting into chunky, dry cuts of beef.

The best cuts of beef to use for stroganoff are:

Scotch fillet (aka boneless rib eye)

As the most tender of steaks, you’ll want to splurge on this one. The boneless ribeye will create a succulent beef stroganoff with the marbling making it flavoursome. The fat content is what keeps this beef mouthwatering and will result in high levels of tenderness.

Sirloin (aka Porterhouse or New York strip)

Sirloin is a great all-rounder cut that is tender and tasty. It’s quite lean though, so keep an eye on it during cooking – overcooking this beef could give your stroganoff a bit more chew.

Rump steak

Performing best when thinly sliced, rump steak is the most tender cut that comes from the hip section of the animal. This option will prove to be one of the most affordable for your stroganoff. Similar to the sirloin, thinly cut strips seared over high heat will be the most effective and tasty way to cook them.

Round Steak

If you’re on a budget you can get away with using a round steak. This cut is the most affordable, but can be chewy and fibrous if not prepared correctly. The round steak is great if you are in a rush and need something to cook, fast. However, if you take this option, we recommend slow cooking as this will turn the meat tender and give your meal a nice taste.

Overall, we recommend high quality beef is best so head to your local butcher for advice and selection of high quality products.

Cooking tips

• When slicing your beef thinly, freeze it for 15 minutes first to make it easier to slice.
• Searing the beef first coats it in flavoursome crunchy bits and add to the flavour of the sauce.
• When searing, ensure the pan isn’t overcrowded – this creates too much moisture, which will steam the beef instead of searing it.
• A heavy based pan should be your pan of choice – and avoid the non-stick variety.

Now that you know all of the important details, it is time to get cooking.

Try out this classic beef stroganoff dish that will prove to be a crowd favourite.