If you’re on a ketogenic diet but craving a rich and comforting meal, this Keto Beef Stroganoff Recipe is the perfect dish to satisfy your hunger without breaking your carb limits. Traditional beef stroganoff is a creamy, hearty dish packed with tender beef strips, mushrooms, and a luscious sauce made with sour cream. This keto-friendly version swaps out high-carb ingredients for low-carb alternatives while keeping the deep, satisfying flavors intact.
Introduction
Beef Stroganoff is a classic Russian dish known for its creamy mushroom sauce and tender strips of beef, typically served over noodles or rice. However, these sides are off-limits for those on a ketogenic diet due to their high carbohydrate content. This keto beef stroganoff recipe transforms the dish into a low-carb, high-fat delight by replacing noodles with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, making it perfect for keto enthusiasts.
This recipe is quick to prepare, packed with flavor, and offers a comforting meal that’s perfect for weeknights or special occasions. With tender beef, mushrooms, garlic, and a creamy sauce made from sour cream and beef broth, it hits all the right notes of richness and umami. Plus, it’s gluten-free and can be made dairy-free with simple substitutions.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
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Calories: 450 kcal
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Protein: 35g
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Fat: 32g
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Carbohydrates: 5g
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Fiber: 1g
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Net Carbs: 4g
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Sugar: 2g
This macro-friendly dish fits perfectly into your ketogenic lifestyle, offering plenty of fat and protein with minimal carbs.
Prep Time, Active Time, and Total Time
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Active Cooking Time: 20 minutes
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Resting Time: 5 minutes
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Total Time: 35 minutes
Cuisines
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Keto
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Low-Carb
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Russian-Inspired
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Gluten-Free
Course
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Main Course
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Dinner
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Comfort Food
Servings
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Serves 4 people
Equipment Needed
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Large skillet or frying pan
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Cutting board and knife
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Wooden spoon or spatula
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Optional: Spiralizer (if using zucchini noodles)
Ingredients
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1 lb (450g) beef sirloin or tenderloin, thinly sliced into strips
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2 tbsp butter or olive oil
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8 oz (225g) mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini)
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup beef broth (low sodium preferred)
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1 cup sour cream (full fat)
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1 tbsp Dijon mustard
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1 tsp paprika
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
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Zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, for serving
Instructions
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Prepare the beef: Pat the beef strips dry with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. This step helps the beef brown nicely.
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Cook the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef strips in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Sear the beef for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
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Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter or oil. Add the chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes until they release their juices and start to brown.
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Add garlic and deglaze: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
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Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the Dijon mustard. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
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Finish the sauce: Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream until fully combined and smooth. Return the cooked beef strips to the pan and toss to coat them in the sauce. Heat gently on low if needed, but do not boil as the sour cream may curdle.
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Serve: Spoon the keto beef stroganoff over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Tips for the Best Keto Beef Stroganoff
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Use high-quality beef like sirloin or tenderloin for the best texture.
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Avoid overcooking the beef; it should be tender and juicy.
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Full-fat sour cream provides richness and keeps the dish keto-friendly.
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You can add a splash of heavy cream for extra creaminess.
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For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream with coconut cream and butter with coconut oil.
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If you prefer mushrooms with more flavor, try mixing button mushrooms with shiitake or cremini.
Why This Recipe Works for Keto
The main challenge in adapting beef stroganoff to keto is replacing the carb-heavy noodles or rice with low-carb alternatives. Zucchini noodles (zoodles) or cauliflower rice both absorb the delicious sauce well and keep the carb count low. The use of sour cream and butter adds fat, which is essential for staying in ketosis and feeling satiated.
Conclusion
This Keto Beef Stroganoff Recipe is a flavorful, satisfying dish that brings the classic comfort food into the low-carb era. Whether you’re new to keto or a long-time follower, this recipe provides a quick and easy way to enjoy a creamy, savory meal without the carbs. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner, it’s a must-try recipe that will become a staple in your keto meal rotation.

I am Ashley Doyle, Senior Specialist in Food & Policy at The Humane Society of the United States and editor at airfryermama.com. I am passionate about transforming our global food system by promoting delicious, climate-friendly, plant-based foods. After transitioning from law to food and public policy, I now work with major food service companies to develop plant-based initiatives and animal welfare policies. My goal is to drive institutional change to combat climate change and improve our food system.