Want to make beef stroganoff without blowing your diet? Same! That’s why I love this Healthier Beef Stroganoff recipe. It has all the rich, comforting flavors of classic beef stroganoff recipe but with a lighter twist—thanks to a simple swap: reduced-fat sour cream. It’s an easy change that makes this dish a little more figure-friendly without sacrificing taste!
Mindy’s Recipe Snapshot
Method: Cooked on the stove top.
Key Ingredients: Beef, mushrooms, onion, and sour cream.
Ease: Such an easy beef stroganoff recipe!
Top Tip: Cut the beef against the grain for maximum tenderness.
This post was originally published in April 2016 and updated in March 2025 to include clearer instructions and fresh, new photos.
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We love that this healthy beef stroganoff recipe is made with simple ingredients we always have on hand. It’s an easy, comforting meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. I’m always looking for ways to create a lighter version of our favorite recipes, and small tweaks like this help us maintain a lower calorie diet without sacrificing flavor.
You’ll love this recipe because it’s just as creamy and satisfying as traditional beef stroganoff recipes, but with a healthier twist. It’s quick to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy nights when you want something warm and hearty without a lot of fuss. Plus, the simple ingredient swap makes it feel indulgent while keeping it lighter, so you can enjoy a cozy meal without the guilt!
Serve this with an easy green salad and a vegetable like Pan Fried Green Beans or Longhorn Inspired Brussels Sprouts for a complete meal.
Ingredient Photo
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Beef: I like to use top sirloin steak for this recipe, round steak, beef tenderloin, or flank steak can be used.
- Mushrooms: Baby bella mushrooms are hearty and earthy so we use them, you can use white button mushrooms too.
- Onion: An inexpensive yellow onion is perfect, white onion is also good. Not a fan of onions? Leave them out or I have an easy One Pan Beef Stroganoff that doesn’t have any onions.
- Sour Cream: I use light sour cream, full-fat sour cream can also be used but it won’t be light. Greek yogurt can be used for all or part of the sour cream for added protein. The yogurt is tangier so the seasonings may need to be adjusted accordingly.
- Olive Oil: Canola oil or vegetable oil can be used.
- Noodles: We prefer whole wheat noodles, regular egg noodles or no yolk egg noodles work great too.
- Seasonings & Flavor Boosters: We add ketchup, dijon mustard, salt, pepper and chives to enhance the flavor of this lighter beef stroganoff.
- Chives: I use fresh chives from the produce section, usually the long ones that need to be chopped. However, when I shopped for this recipe, all they had were pre-chopped chives, which, as you can see in the photos, were starting to shrivel. If you prefer, you can use dried chives. Just use 1 teaspoon for every 1 tablespoon of fresh. For this recipe, that means 3 teaspoons of dried chives.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Cut the beef into 1″ chunks or strips and set aside .
- Start the water for the noodles. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and cook the onions over medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes. When the onions have been cooking for about 5 minutes, drop the noodles. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in the same skillet and cook the beef and mushrooms over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until beef is slightly browned, about 4-5 minutes.
- While the beef cooks combine the sour cream, flour, ketchup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the chives in a small bowl and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to low and return the onions to the skillet. Add the sour cream mixture to the skillet; stir until well blended and slightly thick, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve over noodles and sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of chives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mix the remaining sauce with the noodles and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave in 30-45 second intervals, stirring each time, until heated through. This can be reheated on the stove in a skillet over medium heat. Add water or beef broth if it seems too dry. The pasta will break apart.
I have not tried it but there are dairy free versions of sour cream such as Simple Truth (a Kroger store brand) or Violife that you can use.
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Healthier Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups wide whole wheat noodles
- 1 lb top sirloin trimmed of fat
- Cooking spray
- 1 large onion cut lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 6 oz portobello mushrooms button, cremini, or baby bella mushrooms would also work
- 1 cup low-fat sour cream
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
- additional chives for garnishment if desired
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Instructions
- Cut the beef into 1" chunks and set aside (or strips). Slice the mushrooms and cut the onion into strips.1 lb top sirloin, 1 large onion, 6 oz portobello mushrooms
- Start the water for the noodles. Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and cook the onions over medium-heat until tender, about 10 minutes. When the onions have been cooking for about 5 minutes, drop the noodles. Transfer the onions from the skillet to a plate or bowl and set aside.Cooking spray, 3 1/2 cups wide whole wheat noodles
- Heat the olive oil in the same skillet and cook the beef and mushrooms over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until beef is slightly browned, about 5 minutes.1 tsp olive oil
- While the beef cooks combine the sour cream, flour, ketchup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the chives in a small bowl and set aside.1 cup low-fat sour cream, 2 tbsp flour, 1 tbsp ketchup, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp chopped chives
- Reduce the heat to low and return the onions to the skillet. Add the sour cream mixture to the skillet; stir until well blended and slightly thick.
- Serve over noodles and sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of chives.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
This sounds really good! A couple years ago I had stroganoff at a Georgian restaurant in San Diego, it was so amazing, I’ve only made it myself a couple times since. Have to try this one though!
We love it, I am a meat-lover. Thanks for stopping by!