This Slow Cooker Healthier Beef Stroganoff is a lighter and Weight Watchers friendly version of beef stroganoff. Made with a creamy sauce, and tender beef, it's perfect for anyone looking for a healthier version of beef stroganoff or following a low calorie diet. Easy to make in the Slow cooker, it's also economical using stewing beef.
This Healthy Crockpot Beef Stroganoff recipe is popular during the winter months, but great any time of the year, especially since it can be cooked in a slow cooker and avoid heating up the house! This Skinny Beef Stroganoff pairs well with and makes a great easy weeknight dinner!
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🥘Ingredient Notes
You don't need to use heavy cream to make beef stroganoff sauce. For this lighter beef stroganoff, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Stewing beef. You can use an economical cut of meat with this recipe because the slow cooking tenderizes the meat.
- Dry red wine. I prefer to use a Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz for this recipe, but you can use any red wine you like. You could also use no-alcohol red wine (Leitz Pinot Noire is my favorite). *See recipe tips for additional ideas
- Dried dill. Dill adds a unique and welcome flavor to this dish!
- Fat-free sour cream. Fat- free sour cream makes it creamy1
- Cornstarch and water. Cornstarch and water thicken the sauce.
- Noodles. I use Extra broad no yolk egg noodles
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Beef - you can substitute a more tender cut of meat, such as beef tenderloin, flank steak or sirloin steak, ground beef or cut up a chuck roast, in place of the beef stew meat.
- Noodles - you could use whole wheat egg noodles or whole wheat pasta, a different type of noodle, or even swap out noodles for zucchini noodles (zoodles) or cauliflower rice.
- Sour Cream - you could substitute Greek yogurt, but it will taste a little sour, so you'll need to add something to sweeten it a bit (like a couple of tsps of condensed milk) or use reduced-fat sour cream or full-fat sour cream, if you don't mind the additional calories.
- Mushrooms - you can substitute canned mushrooms for fresh mushrooms.
- Wine - you can substitute white wine for red wine.
- Garnish- you can use green onions instead of fresh herbs.
🔪How to make Healthier Beef Stroganoff
Prep: Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray.
Add the beef, onions, mushrooms, and bay leaves to slow cooker.
Mix wine, beef broth, garlic, Worcestershire, tomato paste, thyme, oregano and in a small bowl.
Then pour liquid mixture over meat mushroom mixture.
Cover and cook on high until beef is tender - 3.5- 4 hours ( or 8 hours on low)
Make the cornstarch and water into a paste.
Mix in the sour cream, then mix in the cornstarch and water. Cook for 15 - 20 minutes longer (if on high ) or 30-40 minutes longer, if on low.
Cook noodles of choice as per package directions and mix them into sauce. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, herbs such as fresh dill or fresh parsley, and black pepper if desired.
Hint: Add more cornstarch and water if it's not thick like gravy.
Recipe Tips
- Brown the Beef for Extra Flavor: While this is a slow cooker recipe, searing the stewing beef in a hot pan before adding it to the crockpot will enhance the depth of flavor. This caramelizes the surface of the meat, giving it a richer taste.
- Prevent Curdling of Sour Cream: Since fat-free sour cream is more prone to curdling, let it come to room temperature before adding it to the slow cooker. You can also temper it by mixing a bit of the hot sauce from the stroganoff into the sour cream first, then gradually stir it in.
- Thicken the Sauce Properly: Mix the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + cold water) thoroughly before adding it to prevent lumps. Stir continuously as you pour it in to ensure a smooth sauce.
- Best Wine for Cooking: Red wine enhances the richness of the dish, but if you don’t want to use wine, substitute beef broth with a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar for similar acidity and depth.
🥗 What to serve with Weight Watchers Beef Stroganoff
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Lightened Up Beef Stroganoff are this Quick Cucumber Kimchi, Healthy Glazed Roasted Carrots, Cranberry Kale Salad , and Skinny Coleslaw - it's 0 (zero) ww points (shown below).
🌡️Storage
Store leftover slow cooker beef stroganoff in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze this recipe in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
👪 Serving Size
This recipe makes 8 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🔢WW Points
This Weight Watchers Beef Stroganoff is 7 pts and if you use the broad no-yolk egg noodles, they are 3 pts per cup, for a total of 10 pts (using a FULL cup of noodles). Given a serving of Classic Beef Stroganoff recipe is about 22 pts, that's a pretty big cut in points! However, you can further lighten this recipe by up to 5 points, using a lighter red wine, and a lighter type of noodle.
If you're looking for a creamy beef stroganoff for the slow cooker, this is one the whole family will love!
❔ Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can substitute stewing beef with more tender cuts like sirloin, flank steak, or beef tenderloin. You can also use ground beef or diced chuck roast for a different texture.
You can use non-alcoholic red wine (such as Leitz Pinot Noir), grape juice, or beef broth with a splash of vinegar for a similar depth of flavor.
If the sauce isn’t thick enough, mix an additional tablespoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the stroganoff. Let it cook for a few more minutes until it thickens.
Yes, you can cook this in a large pot on the stovetop. Simmer the ingredients on low heat until the beef is tender, which should take about 1.5–2 hours.
🍲More Healthy Weight Watchers Meals
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📋 Slow Cooker Healthier Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lb stewing beef
- 454 gram pkg fresh mushroooms
- 1 medium onion
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 1 cup fat-free sour cream
- 6 tablespoon cornstarch
- 6 teaspoon water
- 340 g pkg no yolk egg noodles
Instructions
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- Prep: Spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray
- Add the beef, onions and mushrooms and bay leaves to slow cooker
- Mix wine, beef broth, garlic, worcestershire, tomato paste, thyme, oregano and in a medium bowl,
- Then pour over meat and mushroom mixture.
- Cover and cook on high unti beef is tender - 3.5- 4 hours ( or 8 hours on low)
- Make the cornstarch and water into a paste.
- Mix in the sour cream, then mix in the cornstarch and water. Cook for 15 - 20 minutes longer (if on high ) or 30-40 minutes longer, if on low.
- Add more cornstarch and water if it's not thick like gravy
- Cook noodles of choice as per package directions and mix in.
Garnish:
- Ggarnish with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill, if desired.
Notes
- Brown the Beef for Extra Flavor: While this is a slow cooker recipe, searing the stewing beef in a hot pan before adding it to the crockpot will enhance the depth of flavor. This caramelizes the surface of the meat, giving it a richer taste.
- Prevent Curdling of Sour Cream: Since fat-free sour cream is more prone to curdling, let it come to room temperature before adding it to the slow cooker. You can also temper it by mixing a bit of the hot sauce from the stroganoff into the sour cream first, then gradually stir it in.
- Thicken the Sauce Properly: Mix the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + cold water) thoroughly before adding it to prevent lumps. Stir continuously as you pour it in to ensure a smooth sauce.
- Best Wine for Cooking: Red wine enhances the richness of the dish, but if you don’t want to use wine, substitute beef broth with a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar for similar acidity and depth.
Terri Gilson
This Slow Cooker Light Beef Stroganoff is incredible! All that rich, creamy flavor without weighing you down? Yes please! It's perfect for when you're craving comfort food but still want to keep things light. The best part is how easy it is - just toss everything in the slow cooker and come home to a perfect meal. Dinner doesn't get easier than this!