Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff – A Rich, Creamy Dinner on a Budget

Craving a rich, creamy, comforting meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? This Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff is affordable, easy, and absolutely delicious—all while being a budget-friendly alternative to restaurant-style stroganoff.

Made with tender beef, a velvety sour cream sauce, and hearty egg noodles, this dish is a set-it-and-forget-it classic. Plus, slow cooking turns cheaper cuts of beef into melt-in-your-mouth perfection!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Budget-Friendly – Uses affordable beef cuts like chuck roast or stew meat.
✔ Set It & Forget It – The slow cooker does all the work for you.
✔ Ultra Creamy & Flavorful – Rich, velvety sauce made with sour cream and mushrooms.
✔ Feeds a Family – Serves 4-6 people for under $2 per serving!
✔ Perfect for Meal Prep – Tastes even better the next day.

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🥩 Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps it affordable by using budget-friendly beef cuts and pantry staples.

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs beef stew meat or chuck roast, cubed 🛒 Best cheap beef cuts for slow cooking
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 ½ cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, but adds depth)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
• 12 oz egg noodles (or pasta of choice)
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

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📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

1. Dice the onion and garlic, and slice the mushrooms.
2. Trim and cube the beef into bite-sized pieces if not pre-cut.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Beef & Sauce

3. Add beef, onion, garlic, mushrooms, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika to the slow cooker.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef is tender.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce

5. In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water to create a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken the sauce.

Step 4: Cook the Noodles

6. About 15 minutes before serving, cook egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 5: Finish with Sour Cream & Serve

7. Stir in ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt) until smooth and creamy.
8. Serve over cooked egg noodles and garnish with fresh parsley.

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💰 Cost Breakdown (Estimated per Serving)

Total Cost per Serving: ~$1.90

• Beef stew meat (1.5 lbs) – $6.50
• Egg noodles (12 oz) – $2.00
• Mushrooms (8 oz) – $2.00
• Sour cream (½ cup) – $1.00
• Onion, garlic, seasonings – $1.00

🛒 Save more by:
✅ Buying cheaper beef cuts (chuck roast is often more affordable).
✅ Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
✅ Swapping egg noodles for regular pasta or rice.

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🥗 What to Serve with Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Pair your stroganoff with easy and budget-friendly sides like:

✔ Roasted Vegetables – Easy roasted veggie recipe
✔ Garlic Butter Green Beans – Quick stovetop recipe
✔ Homemade Bread Rolls – Budget-friendly bread recipe

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🔍 Common Questions

What’s the Best Cheap Cut of Beef for Stroganoff?

The best budget-friendly options for slow cooker stroganoff are:
✔ Chuck roast – Affordable and ultra-tender when slow-cooked.
✔ Stew meat – Already cubed and budget-friendly.
✔ Round steak – Leaner but still works well.

👉 Guide to budget-friendly beef cuts

Can I Make This Without a Slow Cooker?

Yes! Use a stovetop or Instant Pot:

• Stovetop: Sear the beef, then simmer for 45 minutes on low heat.
• Instant Pot: Pressure cook on HIGH for 25 minutes, then quick release.

👉 How to convert slow cooker recipes to Instant Pot

How Do I Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze without noodles for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.

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🛒 Where to Buy Cheap Groceries for Stroganoff

💡 Want to save even more on groceries? Try these budget-friendly grocery stores:

• Aldi – Cheap beef and dairy
• Walmart – Best for pantry staples
• Costco – Buy in bulk for big savings
• Local Butcher – Often cheaper than supermarkets

🔗 Helpful resources:

• Best places to buy affordable beef
• How to cut grocery costs by 50%

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Final Thoughts: A Budget-Friendly Comfort Meal

This Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff proves that you don’t need an expensive cut of meat to enjoy a rich, creamy, and comforting meal. By using affordable ingredients and slow cooking, you get tender beef and velvety sauce—without the restaurant price tag!

👉 What’s your favorite budget-friendly slow cooker recipe? Drop it in the comments below!

📌 Loved this recipe? Pin it for later!

🔗 More budget-friendly meals:

• Easy $5 Dinners That Taste Gourmet
• 10 Cheap & Delicious Crockpot Meals
• Grocery Budgeting 101: How to Save Hundreds Per Month