Easy Dairy-Free Beef Stroganoff (Beef Stroganov) is a creamy, savory recipe inspired by the classic Russian dish but made without the usual sour cream. Serve over noodles or mashed potatoes for a hearty comfort dish.
Dairy-free beef stroganoff is a simple version of the classic Russian dish but made without sour cream. It’s budget-friendly, made with only 5 main ingredients.
Russians typically serve this dish over mashed potatoes, but it’s delicious with noodles as well. Both provide a comforting, hearty, and filling meal.
It’s quick and simple to prepare or make ahead, so it makes a terrific dinner at the end of a busy weekday. And it’s a perfect meal for a potluck with friends.
The leftovers are great too!
And beef has health benefits!
About Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff (or Stroganov) is a classic Russian dish made with sauteed beef and a sour cream sauce. There are legends about how the dish was created, but it was first made sometime in the 1800s and named after one of the members of the Stroganov family. Since then it has been recreated all over the world, with multiple variations.
What does it mean when recipes say “to taste” about an ingredient?
When recipes say “to taste,” it means that you can put in as little or as much as you like to your own taste. Some recipes have many ingredients that a cook can adjust to their own taste when cooking (not so much when baking though).
The best way to calculate what your taste is with a recipe that you are not yet familiar with is to first taste the dish and then add the “to taste” ingredient GRADUALLY, a little at a time—a splash of this or a pinch of that—until the dish is just the way you like it.
Make sure to stir the ingredient after each time you add it so that the flavor will distribute evenly and become part of the dish. Then taste again. Repeat until you reach your personal preference.
Note: If you plan on using the recipe again, it is highly recommended to make a note of what and how much you added so that you can refer to it next time.
What does it mean when a recipe says that an ingredient is “optional”?
If an ingredient is “optional,” it means that you can add it in or not based on your own preference. An optional ingredient can be flavor related (i.e., salty, sweet, spicy, etc.), appearance related (garnish), or even something like nuts or chocolate chips in baking.
What does “savory” mean?
“Savory” refers to foods that are not sweet, such as foods that taste salty, spicy, or herbal.
Suggestions of ingredients to have in your cupboard for last-minute meal prep:
Seasoning and flavoring:
- salt (my recipes use regular table salt)
- ground black or white pepper
- granulated garlic or garlic powder (I prefer granulated)
- onion powder
- sweet paprika and/or sweet pepper flakes (paprika is ground dried red pepper, pepper flakes are crushed dried red pepper)
- hot paprika, hot pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper (moderately spicy dried ground chili pepper) for those occasional spicy dishes
- ground turmeric
- ground cumin
- ground cinnamon
- ground ginger
- ground nutmeg
- ground cloves (for pumpkin flavors)
- sugar (granulated)
- brown sugar
- chicken consommé powder / beef bouillon powder (regular or vegetarian)
- onion soup mix
- onion flakes (substitute for fresh onion—3 tablespoons for 1 medium onion).
- various additional herbs and spices to adapt taste to preference
Misc:
- oil / margarine / butter / cooking spray
- flavorless milk substitute, such as coconut cream or oat milk, as a dairy-free milk alternative
- cornstarch as a thickening agent
- flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce
- tomato sauce/tomato paste/canned tomatoes—diced or crushed/pasta sauce
- soy sauce (makes a great flavoring for savory foods)
We always have eggs in the fridge and onions, rice, and potatoes on our shelves, as well as pasta.
So, what ingredients are needed to make dairy-free beef stroganoff?
beef (that cooks quickly)
yellow onion
mushroom (canned or fresh)
chicken consommé powder
unsweetened, neutral milk substitute (such as oat milk)
tomato paste (optional)
mustard (optional)
oil for frying
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I freeze dairy-free beef stroganoff?
Yes, you can freeze dairy-free beef stroganoff! Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How do I reheat leftover beef stroganoff?
Reheat it gently on the stovetop over low-medium heat, adding a small splash of water if needed to restore the creamy consistency. You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals, stirring occasionally.
What are the best side dishes to serve with beef stroganoff?
Traditional wide egg noodles work best because their flat, broad surface holds onto the savory sauce. You can also use noodles that are made with flour and water.
And you can use macaroni instead of the noodles. It’s also delicious over rice. And you can have it over mashed potatoes, which is how the Russians eat classic beef stroganoff.
Can I make this beef stroganoff ahead of time?
Yes, you can easily prepare this dish in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheat it on the stovetop when ready to serve. Add liquid if needed for creaminess.
Want to make another classic Russian recipe?
Try Vegetarian Russian Olivier Potato Salad!
Easy Dairy-Free Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Easy and delicious, hearty and creamy Beef Stroganoff, made with no sour cream and no pork whatsoever.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of beef (that cooks quickly, like steak or ribeye), sliced into thin strips
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced very thin
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (canned or fresh)
- 2 cups unsweetened milk substitute with a neutral flavor (or 1 cup of milk substitute and 1 cup water)
- 2-3 tablespoons beef or chicken soup powder
- 1 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional)
- 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard or other mustard such as dijon or yellow (optional)
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Pour a little (minimal) oil into the bottom of a skillet that is large enough to hold all of the ingredients and place on medium heat.
- Fry the onions and mushrooms together on medium heat until they have darkened a little.
- Add the beef strips to the onions and mushrooms and cook until cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Mix in the tomato paste (if using any) and the mustard (if using any).
- Mix in the milk substitute (and 1 cup water if you are using water).
- Add in the beef or chicken soup powder. Start with 2 tablespoons and slowly add more until you have reached your desired flavor.
- Cook for a few minutes, mixing occasionally so that all of the ingredients have had a chance to cook together, then turn off the heat.
- Recommended: Serve over noodles or mashed potatoes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 446Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 427mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 39g