Beef stroganoff history — a mix of fact and fancy - Grainews (2024)

Prairie Palate: Many think it’s a Hungarian dish but it actually originated in Russia

Published: November 10, 2017

Farm Life, FarmLife

Beef stroganoff history — a mix of fact and fancy - Grainews (1)

For some time I have been under the erroneous assumption that beef stroganoff is a Hungarian dish. Must be the paprika and sour cream. The fact is, beef stroganoff originated in Russia with nary a dash of paprika. It was originally flavoured with mustard.

I learned this culinary fact in September when I visited Russia for the first time, specifically the city of St. Petersburg, where the Stroganov family lived in opulent comfort. Their home — a grand pink palace near the centre of the city — is now a museum and nearby restaurants proudly serve their namesake dish of beef, mushrooms and sour cream.

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How did it come to be? The story of beef stroganoff is a mix of fact and fancy. A popular legend says the dish was created by a French chef in the employ of the Stroganov family. As the story goes, Count Stroganov had such poor teeth he could no longer eat steak. A dish of tender bits of beef in a creamy sauce fit the bill. At least that’s what the tourists are told.

At the time, Russian aristocracy loved everything French so it’s easy to imagine the richest family in Russia had a French chef. That part rings true. As such, the original recipe for beef stroganoff was a marriage of French cuisine (seasoning with mustard) and Russian tastes (a good dollop of sour cream). The recipe was first published in a popular Russian cookbook in 1871 and soon became a favourite in home kitchens and restaurants. With the communist revolution of 1917 and the civil war that followed, many aristocratic Russian families fled their country for China, taking the recipe for beef stroganoff with them. Whereas in Russia beef stroganoff was (and still is) traditionally served with potatoes, in China it was served with noodles or rice. Eventually, Russian émigrés made their way to America, bringing their taste for beef stroganoff with them. The rest, as they say, is history.

The original recipe did not include paprika or mushrooms, but both are a popular variation on the theme, as is the practice of serving beef stroganoff over egg noodles. Nor is beef the required meat. I made a delicious version of beef stroganoff using beaver, the meat provided by friends who trap. If you would like to make beaver stroganoff, heed this advice: trim the meat of visible fat, boil for 20 minutes in plenty of water, remove and cool, then proceed with the recipe. Honestly, you’ll hardly know it isn’t beef.

I’ve included a picture (at top) of beef stroganoff served in a restaurant just a few blocks from the Stroganov Palace in St. Petersburg. On mashed potatoes, of course.

Amy Jo Ehman

Contributor

Amy Jo Ehman is the author of Prairie Feast: A Writer’s Journey Home for Dinner, and, Out of Old Saskatchewan Kitchens. She hails from Craik, Saskatchewan.

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Beef stroganoff history — a mix of fact and fancy - Grainews (2024)

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Beef stroganoff history — a mix of fact and fancy - Grainews? ›

The story of beef stroganoff is a mix of fact and fancy. A popular legend says the dish was created by a French chef in the employ of the Stroganov family. As the story goes, Count Stroganov had such poor teeth he could no longer eat steak. A dish of tender bits of beef in a creamy sauce fit the bill.

What is a fun fact about beef stroganoff? ›

The dish is named after one of the members of the Stroganov family. A legend attributes its invention to French chefs working for the family, but several researchers point out that the recipe is a refined version of older Russian dishes. In Russian the dish is called Бефстро́ганов from the French Bœuf Stroganoff.

What is the historical and cultural origin of beef stroganoff? ›

beef Stroganoff, dish of French origin by way of tsarist Russia that combines thinly sliced and lightly stewed beef and onions with sour cream and other ingredients. Beef Stroganoff is, in essence, the classic French fricassée de boeuf with the addition of equally classic Russian ingredients: onions and sour cream.

Is Stroganoff Russian or Ukrainian? ›

Beef Stroganoff is a popular Russian dish of small pieces of beef fillet sautéed in sour cream sauce together with onions and mushrooms. The dish was named after Count Alexander Grigorievich Stroganoff, who lived in the late 19th century in Odessa.

What does beef stroganoff mean in English? ›

noun. a dish of thin strips of beef cooked with onions, mushrooms, and seasonings, served in a sour-cream sauce.

Why is beef stroganoff so good? ›

Tender, juicy, medium-rare meat in a rich, deeply browned sauce with chunks of (properly cooked!) mushrooms and onions on top of pasta that has soaked up every last ounce of extra flavor.

What are some fun facts about beef? ›

Beef is an excellent source of Protein, Vitamin B12, and Zinc. It is also a good source of Niacin, Vitamin B6 and Iron. Cattle are ruminants, meaning their stomachs have four chambers, which allow them to digest grasses. The first beef cattle arrived in the United States via Mexico in the 1500s.

Why do Brazilians love stroganoff? ›

Russian immigrants made their way to Brazil around the 1920s after the revolution, with much of the population descending from Volga Germans who were booted out of the Soviet Union. In an unfamiliar country, stroganoff no doubt cemented itself as comfort food.

What cut of meat is stroganoff? ›

The best cuts of beef for stroganoff are tender, juicy cuts such as: boneless rib eye – also called scotch fillet (pictured above) boneless sirloin. sirloin steak tips.

What's the difference between stroganoff and goulash? ›

What is the difference between Stroganoff and Goulash? The primary difference between Stroganoff and Goulash comes down to the point that Stroganoff is a gravy whereas Goulash is a stew.

What can I use instead of sour cream in beef stroganoff? ›

Greek yogurt is a healthy alternative to the traditionally used sour cream in beef stroganoff recipes, so you can be confident that your family is getting a satisfying, healthy meal. Fresh dill and paprika will provide a sweet, slightly smoky garnish to top off the dish.

What do you eat beef stroganoff with? ›

Bread: Garlic Bread, Dinner Rolls, French Bread, Rye Bread, Baguettes. Vegetable: Sautéed Spinach, Garlic Butter Green Beans With Bacon, Steamed Cauliflower, Braised Cabbage. Rice: Wild Rice, Quinoa, Basmati Rice, Jasmine Rice, Parmesan Risotto. Salad: Russian Salad, Broccoli Salad, Shaved Fennel Salad.

What are some unique facts about sour cream? ›

The Facts. Early versions of sour cream were created when fresh milk was left to sit at room temperature and the cream rose to the surface. Naturally occurring bacteria soured it. Sour cream is prominent in central and eastern Europe, where it has traditionally been added to soups and stews (goulash, borscht).

What are some fun facts about Hamburger Helper? ›

History. The packaged pasta brand "Hamburger Helper" was introduced by General Mills in 1971 in response to a meat shortage and rising meat prices. In 2005, Food Network rated it third on its list of "Top Five Fad Foods of 1970". In 2013, the company shortened the brand's name to just "Helper".

What is Stroganoff made of? ›

What is stroganoff sauce made of? Stroganoff sauce is a sour cream gravy made with beef broth that's thickened with flour. It's flavoured with mustard and has mushrooms in it. I love the pale brown creamy colour against the deep golden brown seared beef!

Why is Stroganoff so popular in Brazil? ›

Russian immigrants made their way to Brazil around the 1920s after the revolution, with much of the population descending from Volga Germans who were booted out of the Soviet Union. In an unfamiliar country, stroganoff no doubt cemented itself as comfort food.

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