Creamy Peppercorn Steak Stroganoff & Egg Noodles Recipe

Peppercorn Steak Stroganoff Egg Noodles is more than just a meal; it’s an experience, a symphony of flavors that promises to transform an ordinary evening into something truly special. Imagine succulent strips of tender steak, perfectly seared and then bathed in a luxuriously creamy, piquant sauce, all served over a bed of perfectly al dente egg noodles. This isn’t just dinner; it’s an invitation to savor every comforting bite.

A Culinary Journey Rooted in Tradition

This iconic dish, with its roots tracing back to 19th-century Russia, named after Count Pavel Stroganoff, has gracefully evolved from a sophisticated European delicacy into a universally adored comfort food. While the classic often features simple beef and a sour cream sauce, our rendition elevates it with the bold, aromatic kick of freshly crushed peppercorns, adding an irresistible warmth and depth that truly sets it apart. People consistently fall in love with this dish not only for its incredible taste – the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and a subtle spice – but also for its incredibly satisfying textures, from the melt-in-your-mouth steak to the silky smooth sauce and comforting noodles. It’s hearty enough for a chilly evening and elegant enough for company, making our Peppercorn Steak Stroganoff Egg Noodles an absolute weeknight hero and a weekend showstopper. I promise, one bite and you’ll understand why this recipe holds such a special place in so many hearts.

Ingredients:

• For the Steak:
  • 1.5 – 2 pounds beef sirloin, top sirloin, or tenderloin, trimmed of excess fat and silver skin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more if needed
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, coarsely crushed (I like to use a mortar and pestle or a heavy pan)
• For the Stroganoff Sauce:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms (baby bellas), wiped clean and sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups beef broth, preferably low sodium
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional, but I love the earthy touch)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Additional coarsely crushed black peppercorns for garnish, if desired
• For the Egg Noodles:
  • 16 ounces wide egg noodles
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, to prevent sticking)
  • Salt for boiling water
• For Garnish:
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Preparing the Steak for Peppercorn Perfection

1. Trim and Slice the Steak: First things first, let’s get that beautiful beef ready. Take your beef sirloin, top sirloin, or tenderloin and carefully trim away any excess fat or silver skin. Silver skin is a tough, connective tissue that won’t break down during cooking, so removing it ensures a tender bite. Once trimmed, slice the steak against the grain into thin strips, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and 2-3 inches long. Slicing against the grain is crucial for tenderness, as it shortens the muscle fibers.
2. Season the Steak: In a medium bowl, combine your sliced beef with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of coarsely crushed whole black peppercorns. This is where we lay the foundation for our incredible Peppercorn Steak Stroganoff Egg Noodles. The coarse peppercorns will create little bursts of flavor and a beautiful texture on the steak. Toss everything together really well to ensure every piece of beef is coated evenly. Set aside at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while you prepare other ingredients; this allows the flavors to meld and takes the chill off the meat, promoting more even cooking.
3. Sear the Steak: Now for the sizzle! Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and the oil is shimmering and just starting to smoke. You want your pan to be nice and hot to get a good sear.
4. Cook in Batches: Add about half of your seasoned steak strips to the hot pan in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will lower the pan’s temperature and cause the meat to steam instead of sear, resulting in grey, tough beef rather than beautifully browned, tender pieces. Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes per side, or until deeply browned and caramelized. You’re looking for a gorgeous crust. Remember, we’re not cooking it all the way through at this stage; it will finish cooking in the sauce. Remove the seared steak to a clean plate and repeat with the remaining steak, adding a little more oil and butter if needed. Once all the steak is seared and removed, you’ll notice some delicious brown bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the pan – those are flavor gold!

Building the Rich Stroganoff Sauce

5. Sauté the Onions: Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the same skillet. Add your finely diced yellow onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan as you stir – they’ll infuse the onions with incredible flavor.
6. Add Mushrooms: Increase the heat slightly to medium-high. Add your sliced cremini mushrooms to the pan. Sauté the mushrooms for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they release their moisture, it evaporates, and they start to brown nicely. Don’t rush this step! Allowing the mushrooms to get a good sear develops their earthy flavor and prevents a watery sauce.
7. Introduce Garlic: Push the onions and mushrooms to one side of the pan. Add your minced garlic to the cleared space and cook for about 30-60 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it, as burnt garlic can taste bitter. Stir the garlic into the mushroom and onion mixture.
8. Create the Roux: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour over the mushroom and onion mixture. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes, coating all the vegetables and cooking out the raw flour taste. This flour and fat mixture is what we call a roux, and it’s essential for thickening our sauce.
9. Whisk in Broth: Gradually pour in 3 cups of beef broth, a little at a time, while whisking constantly. This helps prevent lumps and ensures a smooth sauce. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
10. Add Key Flavorings: Stir in 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme (if using). These ingredients add depth, tang, and a lovely warmth to the stroganoff. Continue to simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened to your desired consistency. It should be able to coat the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper at this stage.
11. Incorporate Dairy for Creaminess: Remove the skillet from the heat, or reduce it to its lowest setting. Pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and gently stir to combine. Now, this next step is crucial for the perfect texture: add 1 cup of full-fat sour cream, ensuring it’s at room temperature. Stir it in gently until fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Adding sour cream off the direct heat or at a very low simmer helps prevent it from curdling, giving you that luxurious, velvety texture our Peppercorn Steak Stroganoff Egg Noodles are famous for.

Cooking the Egg Noodles and Bringing it All Together

12. Cook the Egg Noodles: While your sauce is simmering and coming together, start cooking your egg noodles. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Adding salt to the water seasons the noodles from the inside out. Add 16 ounces of wide egg noodles to the boiling water, along with 1 tablespoon of olive oil (optional, but it can help prevent the noodles from sticking together). Cook according to package directions, typically 6-8 minutes, or until al dente. Al dente means they are cooked through but still have a slight bite to them, perfect for soaking up the rich sauce without becoming mushy.
13. Drain the Noodles: Once cooked, drain the egg noodles thoroughly in a colander. Do not rinse them, as the starch on the noodles helps the sauce adhere better.
14. Combine Steak and Sauce: Return the seared steak strips and any accumulated juices from the plate back into the stroganoff sauce in the skillet. Stir gently to combine, allowing the steak to warm through and absorb the incredible flavors of the sauce. Simmer for just 1-2 minutes, being careful not to overcook the steak, which could make it tough. This final brief simmer allows the steak to finish cooking to perfection and tenderize further within the sauce.
15. Final Seasoning Check: Taste the Peppercorn Steak Stroganoff one last time. Adjust seasonings as needed – perhaps a little more salt, pepper, or even a touch more of those wonderfully crushed black peppercorns if you want an extra kick. This is your chance to personalize the flavor!
16. Serve and Garnish: To serve, spoon a generous portion of the hot, perfectly cooked egg noodles onto individual plates or bowls. Ladle a hearty amount of the rich, creamy Peppercorn Steak Stroganoff sauce, complete with those tender steak strips and savory mushrooms, directly over the noodles.
17. The Finishing Touch: Garnish each serving generously with fresh, finely chopped parsley. The vibrant green not only adds a beautiful pop of color but also provides a fresh, herbaceous counterpoint to the rich sauce. If you’re a true peppercorn lover like me, a final sprinkle of freshly coarsely crushed black peppercorns over the top before serving adds an extra layer of aroma and zing. This dish, our Peppercorn Steak Stroganoff Egg Noodles, is truly a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion!

Conclusion:

Well, my friends, if there’s one recipe I’m absolutely certain will earn a permanent spot in your culinary repertoire, it’s this one. After diving deep into its rich flavors and understanding the simplicity behind its gourmet appeal, I truly hope you feel as inspired as I do by the sheer potential of what you can create in your own kitchen. This isn’t just another dinner; it’s an experience, a journey through savory depths that truly satisfies the soul and elevates a classic comfort food to an entirely new level of sophistication. The robust flavor of perfectly seared steak, bathed in a velvety, piquant sauce, and tossed with perfectly cooked egg noodles, creates a symphony of textures and tastes that is truly unparalleled. It’s comforting, sophisticated, and undeniably delicious – the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes and savor every single bite, leaving you utterly content.

What makes this particular rendition a must-try isn’t just the tender beef or the creamy sauce; it’s the carefully balanced dance of flavors, especially the warming, aromatic kick from the peppercorns that truly sets it apart. It adds a layer of unexpected depth and a subtle heat that makes every forkful incredibly exciting. This recipe proves that you don’t need exotic ingredients or complicated techniques to achieve restaurant-quality results right at home. It’s accessible, rewarding, and guaranteed to impress anyone lucky enough to share a meal with you.

Elevate Your Meal: Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations

While this dish is a complete meal in itself, I always love to offer a few suggestions to round out the experience or to help you get creative in the kitchen. For a perfectly balanced meal, consider serving your rich stroganoff alongside a crisp, vibrant green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette. The freshness of the greens provides a wonderful counterpoint to the creamy sauce. A side of steamed asparagus, roasted broccoli, or tender green beans with a hint of lemon would also be absolutely delightful. And don’t forget a warm, crusty artisan bread – it’s perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible sauce!

Now, if you’re feeling adventurous, there are so many ways to adapt this recipe to your taste or what you have on hand. While I adore sirloin for its beautiful balance of tenderness and flavor, feel free to experiment with a good quality ribeye for extra richness, or even thinly sliced flank steak cut against the grain for a slightly chewier bite. You could also introduce more vegetables directly into the sauce; sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or even a handful of baby spinach wilted in at the end can add delightful layers of flavor and nutrition. For an extra touch of gourmet flair, consider deglazing the pan with a splash of brandy or a dry red wine after searing the beef – it adds an incredible depth of flavor that is simply sublime. And while I’m partial to classic egg noodles for their perfect texture and ability to cling to the sauce, this dish is equally fantastic with pappardelle, fettuccine, or even a hearty artisanal pasta. For a non-noodle alternative, don’t shy away from serving it over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even a low-carb cauliflower mash for a different twist. Whether you stick to the classic preparation or venture into these exciting variations, the core essence of this magnificent Peppercorn Steak Stroganoff Egg Noodles recipe will shine through.

Your Culinary Adventure Starts Now!

Now, it’s your turn! I genuinely hope you feel inspired to head into your kitchen and recreate this incredible dish. Imagine the aroma filling your home, the anticipation building, and then that first glorious bite of tender steak and creamy, peppery sauce. I am absolutely thrilled for you to experience the magic of this recipe firsthand. Please, please, please try making it soon! Once you’ve savored every mouthful, I’d be absolutely delighted to hear about your experience. Did you stick to the classic version, or did you put your own unique spin on it? Share your thoughts, your successes, and perhaps even a photo of your culinary masterpiece! Your feedback truly means the world to me, and it helps our community of home cooks discover new favorites. This isn’t just another meal; it’s a celebration of flavor, comfort, and the pure joy of home cooking. Go on, treat yourself and your loved ones to this unforgettable culinary adventure!

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