Beef Stroganoff: Air Fryer Magic In Minutes

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They allow you to cook crispy and delicious meals with less oil, making them a great tool for those following a keto diet. One recipe that can be made in an air fryer is beef stroganoff, a hearty and easy one-pot meal. This dish combines tender meat with a rich, creamy sauce, and can be served with roasted veggies, garlic bread, brussels sprouts, potatoes, or carrots.

Beef Stroganoff recipe

Ingredients

• Beef (ribeye steak, sirloin steak, beef tenderloin, stew meat, or ground beef)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Butter
• Onion
• Garlic
• Mushrooms
• Beef broth
• Condensed cream of mushroom soup
• Brown gravy with onions
• Sour cream or yoghurt
• Tomato paste
• Egg noodles, ribbon noodles, pappardelle, or mashed potatoes
• Thyme
• Flour
• Bouillon cube
• Worcestershire sauce
• Soy sauce

Method

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Season the beef strips with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to the air fryer basket, then add the beef strips in a single layer. Cook the beef for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the mushrooms and sauté until they are golden brown and tender. Return the beef to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until heated through.

For the sauce, add the beef broth, condensed cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy with onions, sour cream, and tomato paste to the skillet with the mushrooms. Stir to combine.

Serve the beef stroganoff with egg noodles, ribbon noodles, pappardelle, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Tips

• If you are using an air fryer, you can cook the ground beef in 10 minutes.
• If you are using a Ninja Foodi, you can cook the meat and vegetables using the saute function and then use the pressure cooker function.
• If you are using gluten-free pasta, cook according to the package instructions, but halve the cooking time and subtract 2 minutes.
• Beef stroganoff can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Air fryer preparation

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Season your beef strips with salt and pepper, and add olive oil to the air fryer basket. Place the beef strips in a single layer in the basket and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and cooked through. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.

Next, melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. You can also add sliced mushrooms and sauté until they are golden brown and tender. Then, return the beef to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce.

For ground beef stroganoff, mix the beef with water and seasonings of your choice in a 6-inch round cake pan. Press the mixture into an even layer in the pan and place it in the air fryer. Set the timer for 10 minutes, stirring the beef with a spatula or wooden spoon halfway through. Drain any excess fat and return to the air fryer for the remaining time.

You can serve your beef stroganoff with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, garlic bread, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, or carrots. It can also be served with egg noodles, ribbon noodles, pappardelle, or rice.

Cooking time

The cooking time for beef stroganoff in an air fryer will depend on the ingredients and steps involved in preparing the dish. Here is a breakdown of the cooking times for each step:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This is a crucial step as it ensures even cooking and helps achieve the desired crispy texture.

Next, prepare the beef strips by seasoning them with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to the air fryer basket, and then place the beef strips in a single layer. The cooking time for the beef strips will be around 6-8 minutes. It is important to flip the beef strips halfway through to ensure even browning and cooking.

Once the beef strips are cooked, transfer them to a plate and set them aside. Now, it's time to cook the onions and garlic. Add butter to the skillet and melt it over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they are softened.

At this point, you can return the beef to the skillet and stir it into the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat everything through.

If you are using ground beef for your stroganoff, the process is slightly different. Mix the ground beef with water and your choice of seasonings in a 6-inch round cake pan. Spread the mixture into an even layer and place it in the air fryer. Set the timer for 10 minutes, but remember to stir the ground beef after 5 minutes. This step ensures even cooking and browning. After stirring, return the pan to the air fryer for another 2 minutes. Finally, remove any excess fat from the ground beef and put the pan back into the air fryer for the remaining 2 minutes. The ground beef should be cooked through with no pink remaining.

Beef stroganoff can be served with a variety of sides and accompaniments, such as roasted vegetables, garlic bread, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, or carrots.

Serving suggestions

Beef stroganoff is a hearty, creamy, and flavorful dish. While it is traditionally served with egg noodles, there are several other ways to serve it. Here are some serving suggestions:

Noodles and Rice

The classic choice for beef stroganoff is to serve it with egg noodles. You can cook these noodles by boiling them according to the package instructions and then mixing them with the stroganoff sauce. Ribbon noodles and pappardelle are also good options. If you want to avoid gluten, cauliflower rice is a great alternative that complements the dish well.

Potatoes

For a heartier meal, mashed potatoes are an excellent pairing. You can serve the beef stroganoff directly on top of the mashed potatoes, allowing the creamy sauce to mix with the potatoes. For a more textured option, try rosemary mashed potatoes. If you prefer a more solid side dish, roasted potatoes are another great choice.

Vegetables

Beef stroganoff goes well with a variety of vegetables. Air fryer asparagus is a light and healthy option that can be made right in the air fryer, keeping the overall meal preparation simple. Broccoli is another vegetable that pairs well with the dish; you can serve it steamed or try a broccoli casserole for a more indulgent option. If you're looking for something fresh and light to balance out the richness of the stroganoff, a classic caprese salad is a great choice.

Breads

To make your meal more filling, consider serving beef stroganoff with a side of garlic bread. This option is especially good if you have extra sauce, as the bread can be used to soak it up.

Other Sides

If you're looking for something a little different, beef stroganoff also pairs well with roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or cauliflower. For a more indulgent option, try twice-baked potatoes.

With its creamy sauce and tender meat, beef stroganoff is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your preferences and dietary needs. Whether served with traditional egg noodles or something more unique, it is sure to be a comforting and satisfying meal.

Storage and reheating

When storing beef stroganoff, it is important to let it cool down before placing it in the refrigerator or freezer. It should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated within two hours of cooking. If possible, store the noodles separately from the stroganoff to prevent them from becoming soft and absorbing too much sauce.

Beef stroganoff can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw frozen stroganoff, place it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

When reheating, stir the stroganoff well to maintain its creamy texture. If using a stovetop, reheat the stroganoff over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If using a microwave, place the stroganoff in a microwave-safe container, cover it, and stir at intervals until heated evenly throughout.

To prevent the sour cream from curdling, some people choose to make the sauce without it, keeping it separate until serving. This way, you can reheat the rest of the dish and add the sour cream just before serving, maintaining its texture and taste. This method is especially useful if you are keeping the stroganoff warm for a few hours before serving.

Frequently asked questions