Rich Creamy Pork Stroganoff

Rich, hearty, and undeniably delicious, this savory pork stroganoff recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a warm embrace in a bowl, designed to bring comfort and joy to your entire family. Imagine tender, succulent slices of pork tenderloin, generously coated in a lusciously creamy, deeply flavorful sauce. This decadent sauce is brimming with earthy mushrooms and sweet, caramelized onions, all perfectly seasoned and served over a bed of tender, al dente egg noodles. It’s the ultimate comfort food experience that promises to satisfy every palate.

Why This Homemade Pork Stroganoff Recipe Is a Must-Try

Pork stroganoff, a delightful twist on the classic beef dish, brings a unique tenderness and flavor profile that makes it an instant family favorite. This recipe stands out not just for its incredible taste, but also for its simplicity and versatility. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your weekly meal rotation:

• Unrivaled Comfort Food Experience: At its heart, pork stroganoff is the epitome of comfort dining. The combination of tender pork, a velvety cream sauce, and hearty egg noodles creates a profoundly satisfying dish that warms you from the inside out. The rich, umami flavors from the mushrooms and onions, perfectly balanced with the tangy sour cream, make every bite absolutely mouth-watering. It’s the kind of meal that instantly feels like home.
• Effortless One-Skillet Preparation: Despite its gourmet taste, this stroganoff is incredibly simple to prepare, requiring minimal effort and maximizing flavor. Most of the cooking happens in a single skillet, allowing all the delicious ingredients to meld together beautifully. This not only streamlines the cooking process but also makes cleanup a breeze, leaving you more time to enjoy your meal with loved ones.
• Perfect for Any Gathering (and Budget-Friendly): Whether you’re feeding a small family or a larger crowd, this pork stroganoff is an excellent choice. Pork tenderloin is often more affordable than beef, making it a budget-conscious option without sacrificing quality or taste. The recipe is also easily scalable; you can double or even triple the ingredients to accommodate more servings, adjusting the proportions of pork or noodles based on your needs. It’s a reliable dish that consistently delivers on flavor and satisfaction.

Unlock the Best Flavors: Expert Chef’s Tips

Creating an exceptional pork stroganoff is all about mastering a few key techniques and understanding your ingredients. These expert tips will help you elevate your dish from delicious to truly unforgettable:

• Choosing and Preparing Your Mushrooms: The beauty of stroganoff lies in its earthy flavors, and mushrooms play a starring role. You can use any variety, from common white button mushrooms to more robust cremini (baby bellas) or even a mix of gourmet mushrooms for added complexity. Each type will lend its own unique nuance, so choose what you love most. Before slicing, ensure your mushrooms are clean. Instead of washing them under running water, which can make them soggy, gently wipe them with a damp paper towel or use a soft mushroom brush to remove any dirt. This ensures they caramelize beautifully and absorb the sauce without becoming watery.
• Versatile Serving Options Beyond Egg Noodles: While traditional pork stroganoff is often served over classic egg noodles, don’t hesitate to experiment with alternatives based on your preference or dietary needs. For a gluten-free option, swap in gluten-free pasta. If you’re looking to reduce carbs, consider serving it over mashed cauliflower, zucchini noodles (zoodles), or even a fluffy bed of rice. Creamy mashed potatoes also make an excellent pairing, soaking up every last drop of the rich sauce. For an extra touch, a crusty piece of bread on the side is perfect for dipping.
• Mastering the Creamy Sauce: The Sour Cream Secret: The hallmark of a great stroganoff is its smooth, velvety sauce. The key to preventing your sour cream from curdling and ensuring a perfectly creamy texture is simple: always remove the skillet from the heat before whisking in the sour cream. Furthermore, allowing your sour cream to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before adding it can help prevent temperature shock, making it less likely to curdle. Whisk it in gradually until fully incorporated and the sauce is wonderfully smooth and luscious.
• Enhancing Flavor: The Role of Sherry (or Broth): Dry sherry wine adds incredible depth, complexity, and a subtle nutty sweetness to the stroganoff sauce, elevating its overall flavor profile. If you prefer to cook without alcohol, you can easily substitute the sherry with an equal amount of good quality beef broth. While the flavor will be slightly different—lacking the specific nuanced notes that sherry provides—you’ll still achieve a wonderfully rich and savory sauce thanks to the concentrated beef flavor. Don’t worry, the dish will still be absolutely delicious!

Understanding the Star Ingredient: Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is an exceptional choice for stroganoff, offering several advantages over other cuts or even traditional beef. This lean, tender cut of pork cooks quickly and remains incredibly juicy, provided it’s not overcooked. Its mild flavor readily absorbs the rich seasonings of the stroganoff sauce, making it a perfect canvas for the creamy mushroom and onion blend. Sliced into thin strips, it cooks rapidly, ensuring your stroganoff comes together efficiently on a weeknight. Unlike tougher cuts that require long braising, pork tenderloin is all about speed and tenderness, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth experience without the wait.

A Culinary History: The Origins of Stroganoff

While we’re enjoying a pork variation, it’s fascinating to briefly acknowledge the origins of stroganoff. This iconic dish dates back to 19th-century Russia, named after Count Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov. It typically featured sautéed pieces of beef served in a sauce with smetana (sour cream). Over the centuries, the recipe evolved and traveled globally, adapting to local ingredients and preferences. Our pork stroganoff is a testament to this culinary evolution, taking the classic creamy, savory elements and applying them to a versatile and equally delicious protein.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Perfect Pork Stroganoff

Ready to create this comforting masterpiece? Follow these steps for a perfectly executed pork stroganoff that will impress everyone at your table.

Preparing the Hearty Egg Noodles

The foundation of a great stroganoff often begins with perfectly cooked egg noodles. Choose a large pot and fill it with enough water to comfortably cover the noodles by about 1-2 inches. Bring this water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, season the water generously with salt – this is crucial for flavoring the noodles from within. Add your dry egg noodles to the rapidly boiling, salted water. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and boil them for about 7 minutes, or until they reach an al dente texture. Drain them thoroughly in a colander and set aside.

Building the Flavorful Stroganoff

The magic truly happens in the skillet. Begin by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add unsalted butter and allow it to melt completely, swirling the pan to coat the bottom evenly. Once melted, but before it browns, introduce the chopped white onion, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic. Sauté these aromatics for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions soften and the mushrooms begin to release their moisture and develop a beautiful color. This step is vital for building a deep flavor base.

Next, add your pork tenderloin strips to the skillet. Season them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook the pork for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, turning as needed, until the strips are lightly browned on all sides. This quick searing locks in the juices and adds another layer of flavor. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the pork and vegetables, stirring well to fully incorporate it. The flour will act as a thickening agent for your luscious sauce.

Pour in the dry sherry (or beef broth) and additional beef broth, stirring continuously to create a smooth mixture. Bring the liquids to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened to your desired consistency. The slow simmer allows the flavors to deepen and meld together beautifully.

Finally, remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool for a couple of minutes. This is critical for preventing curdling. Add the room-temperature sour cream and finely chopped fresh parsley. Whisk everything thoroughly until the sour cream is fully incorporated, and the sauce is smooth and creamy with no lumps. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper as needed.

The Ultimate Creamy Pork Stroganoff Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Pork Stroganoff

Prep:
15 minutes

Cook:
35 minutes

Total:
50 minutes

Tender pork tenderloin cooked in a creamy sauce with mushrooms, onions, garlic, then served over egg noodles. A savory, satisfying comfort meal the whole family will enjoy.

Sam Guarnieri

Print Recipe

6 servings

Ingredients

For the Egg Noodles

• Water, enough to cover noodles by 1-2 inches
• 2-4 large pinches salt
• 8 ounces dry egg noodles

For the Pork Stroganoff

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 large white onion, chopped (approximately 1 cup)
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound pork tenderloin, sliced in half lengthwise, then cut into ¼-inch strips
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cup dry sherry or ½ cup beef broth
• 1 ½ cups beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Equipment

• Large pot
• Large wooden spoon
• Colander
• Large skillet
• Silicone spatula
• Whisk

Instructions

For the Egg Noodles

1. Fill a large pot with enough water so that the waterline will sit roughly 1 to 2 inches above the top of the egg noodles. Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. Once the water begins to boil, generously salt it, then bring the salted water to a rapid boil.

2. When the water begins to boil rapidly, add the dry egg noodles to the pot. Boil the noodles for 7 minutes or until al dente, stirring frequently as soon as the noodles are submerged to prevent sticking.

3. Once the noodles are cooked to al dente, remove the pot from the heat and carefully pour the noodles and water through a colander. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set them aside.

   

For the Pork Stroganoff

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When the skillet is warm, add the butter and let it melt completely, swirling the pan occasionally to fully coat the bottom with melted butter.

2. When the butter is completely melted but not yet browned, add the chopped onions, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic. Stir to incorporate, then sauté the vegetables for 5 to 7 minutes or until the onions have softened and become translucent. Stir frequently to prevent sticking or burning.

   

3. When the onions have softened, add the strips of pork tenderloin to the skillet. Season the pork with salt and black pepper to taste, then cook until the pork strips are browned on both sides, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Ensure the pork is cooked through but remains tender.

   

4. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly into the skillet. Stir well to fully incorporate the flour into the existing liquid and coat the pork and vegetables. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring, to cook out the raw flour taste.

5. Once the flour is fully incorporated, add the dry sherry (or extra beef broth) and the remaining 1 ½ cups of beef broth to the skillet. Stir continuously to combine all ingredients, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer until the liquids just begin to bubble. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly to your desired consistency.

   

6. Carefully remove the skillet from the heat. Let the mixture cool slightly for a few minutes. Then, add the room-temperature sour cream and chopped parsley. Whisk well until the sour cream is fully incorporated and the sauce is perfectly smooth, with no lumps remaining. Taste the sauce and add additional salt and/or pepper as needed to achieve your preferred flavor balance.

   

7. Portion the cooked egg noodles into individual serving bowls. Ladle a generous amount of the creamy pork stroganoff mixture over each portion of egg noodles. Serve the stroganoff warm, accompanied by your desired side dishes, such as a fresh green salad or crusty bread.

Notes

• Make it Gluten-Free: To adapt this recipe for a gluten-free diet, simply use gluten-free egg noodles and replace the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

Recipe as-written yields 4 larger servings or 6 smaller servings.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 436kcal | Protein: 25g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Total Carbs: 36g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Net Carbs: 34g | Vitamin C: 5mg | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 418mg | Potassium: 662mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 2mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author:
Sam Guarnieri

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

While egg noodles are a classic accompaniment for pork stroganoff, don’t limit your creativity! This versatile dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides:

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: An absolute classic, the smooth potatoes are perfect for soaking up every bit of the rich sauce.
• Fluffy White Rice: A simple yet effective choice that provides a neutral base for the flavorful stroganoff.
• Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus: Offer a refreshing crunch and a burst of color, balancing the richness of the dish.
• Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or sourdough is ideal for dipping into the luxurious sauce.
• Simple Green Salad: A light, tangy salad with a vinaigrette dressing can cut through the richness and provide a fresh contrast.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftovers

Pork stroganoff often tastes even better the next day! If you have leftovers, proper storage and reheating are key to maintaining its delicious quality:

• Refrigeration: Store any leftover stroganoff in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze pork stroganoff. It’s best to freeze the pork and sauce separately from the noodles, as noodles can become mushy when frozen and reheated. Store the sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Gently reheat stroganoff on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir frequently until heated through. If reheating noodles, cook a fresh batch or add pre-cooked noodles to the sauce at the very end of reheating to warm them gently. Avoid microwaving the entire dish, as it can cause the sauce to separate or the pork to become tough.

More Delicious Dinner Ideas the Whole Family Will Enjoy

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• 5-Ingredient Air Fryer Flautas
• Beef Pot Pie
• 15 Bean Soup
• Creamy Rotel Pasta with Ground Beef