Even though you may be watching your carbs, sometimes you want some comfort food! This 30 minute recipe for low carb beef stroganoff will definitely fill the bill with ground beef, mushrooms and a creamy sauce. Serve over zucchini noodles or thin sliced toast for a fast satisfying meal.
This recipe originally published in March 2017 and updated with all new step by step instructions, photos and expert tips.
Who doesn't need some comfort food in their life? This is one of our reader's favorite keto ground beef recipes! Make a batch of this beef stroganoff and enjoy a very satisfying meal. If you are looking for side dish options, I served mine over toasted ultra thin bread slices (7 gm carb each). Other options include: low carb pasta, zoodles or you may choose to serve as is.
What is Beef Stroganoff?
Beef stroganoff is a Russian dish of sautéed chopped beef pieces cooked in a sauce with smetana (sour cream). Variations exist throughout the world using chicken, shrimp and sausage. Various seasonings and vegetables are also used depending upon the country.
In the U.S., beef stroganoff generally includes beef strips, sour cream and mushrooms.
Why this recipe works:
- Ground beef is used rather than beef strips which makes this keto stroganoff recipe convenient, tasty and economical.
- Use a heavy iron skillet to produce a brown crust on the ground beef and mushrooms. This adds flavor and appealing color to the recipe.
- Sour cream is added with the pan off the stove to help prevent curdling.*
- The recipe itself is low carb, but can be easily be adapted to family friendly by serving with noodles, rice or over toast.
- Ready in less than 30 minutes!
* What is curdling??!! This simply means the sour cream structure changes and breaks down to form small lumps or "curdles". If this happens, it is perfectly safe to eat- just not the best appearance. Prevent curdling by "tempering" the sour cream. Add a small amount of the hot liquid from the skillet to the sour cream and stir. Remove the skillet from the stove then stir in the sour cream.
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The main ingredients:
- Ground Beef- I used lean ground beef to keep fat calories lower. Feel free to use regular ground beef or ground chuck if you prefer. (If available, grass fed beef contains healthier fatty acids.)
- Mushrooms- Choose your favorite type or use canned.
- Sour Cream-for best results use regular sour cream instead of low fat or fat free.
Ingredients for Low Carb Beef Stroganoff
How to Make Low Carb Keto Beef Stroganoff:
- Start by browning the mushrooms which will add loads of flavor to this dish (photo 1).
- Place your ground beef (and onions) in a skillet that is large enough to allow it to be spread out. This will help the ground beef to brown quicker instead of steaming (photo 2).
- Here is the ground beef with vegetables and other ingredients added and ready for the sour cream (photo 3). Be sure to avoid boiling or simmering after adding the sour cream to prevent curdling of the sauce.
- Simply warm and serve!
Expert tips:
- Use a large heavy iron skillet if possible to help with browning the mushrooms and ground beef. Browning helps add flavor to the dish.
- Spread the ingredients out in the skillet for better browning results. If your skillet is small, simply cook the ground beef in batches.
- Take the skillet off the stove before adding the sour cream.
- Use more beef broth if you prefer.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many carbs in this recipe? A serving of this recipe (⅓) contains approx 5 gm carb.
- What do you serve with beef stroganoff? Traditionally, beef stroganoff is served with noodles. If you are counting carbs, ⅓ cup noodles = 15 gm carbs. Low carb alternatives include cauliflower rice, low carb pasta, zucchini noodles or thin-sliced toast. Other side items that complement beef stroganoff include green beans, steamed broccoli or tossed salad.
- Can you make the recipe the day before? Yes. Prepare the stroganoff to the point of adding the sour cream. Store in the refrigerator. Warm the stroganoff, then add the sour cream and serve.
- Can you freeze this recipe? Yes. Prepare the stroganoff to the point of adding the sour cream. Freeze in an airtight container. After thawing, heat the mixture then add in the sour cream. More broth may be added if needed.
Hope you enjoy this Low Carb Beef Stroganoff Recipe! Be sure to check out these other low carb favorites:
- Tex Mex Squash Casserole
- Low Carb Gyros
- Low Carb Cheesy Turkey and Broccoli Casserole
- Low Carb Mexican Fajita Bowl
Did you make this recipe? Please leave your star rating and comment below!
Recipe
Low Carb Beef Stroganoff Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 4 oz small mushrooms , sliced
- 1 lb ground beef grassfed if available
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup lower sodium beef broth
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon salt , as desired
- ½ cup sour cream add extra as desired
Instructions
- Melt butter in skillet over medium heat then add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes or until tender and browned.
- Remove mushrooms from pan then add ground beef and onions to skillet along with broth and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until beef is browned and fully cooked. (Cook beef and onions in batches if using a small skillet.)
- Add lemon juice, paprika,salt and cooked mushrooms to ground beef in skillet and stir to combine. Heat to a simmer then remove pan from heat.
- Stir in sour cream then adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed and serve.
- May be served in bowls or over toasted ultra-thin bread slices.
Notes
- Use a large heavy iron skillet if possible to help with browning the mushrooms and ground beef. Browning helps add flavor to the dish.
- Spread the ingredients out in the skillet for better browning results. If your skillet is small, simply cook the ground beef in batches.
- Take the skillet off the stove before adding the sour cream. Prevent curdling by "tempering" the sour cream by adding a small amount of the hot liquid from the dish to the sour cream and stir. Remove the dish from the stove then stir in the sour cream.
- Use more beef broth if you prefer.
Erin
Oh my goodness, this was so good! It really hit the spot big time. It was savory and rich and will become a recipe that's part of our regular rotation.
Charlotte
So glad you enjoyed this recipe Erin! Thanks for visiting Easyhealth Living.
Cindy
This recipe sounds great, BUT it has to have more than 2g protein. Was this just a typo?
Charlotte
Yes, it was a typo! Now updated with correct amount. Thanks!
Laura
I adore this recipe! I use WAY more mushrooms though, and I use a Creole seasoning blend instead of plain paprika. The Creole seasoning does have paprika in it, but it also has a lot of other spices that gives the dish a nice zing! I use more than 1/2 tsp. too though. 1/2 tsp. barely gives it any flavor at all. SO GOOD!
Charlotte
Thanks Laura! So glad you like it!
Charlene
I made this at my parents and mom was skeptical. They had theirs over noodles and loved it. I will make this again with more mushrooms and measure the lemon juice.
Charlotte
Glad you liked this recipe! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
Libby
I am not a fan of mushrooms but I’ve been wanting a healthy/ carb friendly version of the old school hamburger helper stroganoff for years, can I make this without mushrooms, or something else in place?
Charlotte
I have never substituted the mushrooms but possible replacements could be peppers, zucchini, squash or pearl onions. Hope that helps!
susie
I dont like mushrooms either so i use low carb noodles. if your local store doesnt have them you can get them on amazon. they taste just like regular noodles. I am diabetic n so i have to eat low carb. its a great substitute for the mushrooms. And that is what the mushrooms are used for is to replace noodles.