5 Ways To Give Your Beef Stroganoff A Spicy Twist

Of the many comfort foods you may have forgotten about, beef stroganoff holds a special place for those who think of it fondly. This warm meal of tender beef in a creamy mushroom sauce can be served over egg noodles, rice, and more for a tasty and indulgent dish. If you enjoy the health benefits of eating spicy food, you might want to consider different ways of introducing a new, spicy twist on a traditional beef stroganoff. If you really want to turn up the heat, consider a handful of practical and delicious ways of punching up your beef stroganoff with hot peppers, rare hot sauces, horseradish, and more.

The good thing about adding spice to a cream-based dish such as beef stroganoff is the way that the dairy will temper the heat. You can add as much or as little spice as you like to balance the flavors and sensation in a way that will be enjoyable and not overwhelming. What's more, your beef stroganoff will benefit from going beyond a basic flavor profile into something a little more exciting. Remember, it's still comfort food as long as you're comforted by it.

If you like making your own seasoning blends, try mixing chili powders of different heat levels to add a new layer of depth to your beef stroganoff. Depending on just how spicy you want to make your dish, you can choose from a wide variety of hot peppers including red pepper flakes, Sichuan peppercorns, and more. In fact, it's pretty easy to make your own red pepper flakes from scratch, which allows you to customize the level of heat and intensity of your blend. If you prefer to go the store-bought route, you can find Spice Classics Crushed Red Pepper on Amazon.

Adding dried peppers to your beef stroganoff can be as simple as sprinkling some over the top of your dish as a finishing touch, adding it to the seasoning for your beef before sauteeing it, or mixing it into your cream sauce. Cooking with crushed red pepper flakes also means knowing that less is more. Remember to always go slowly and taste as you go. Being mindful of the variety and intensity of the peppers you're using, such as knowing the difference between cayenne pepper and hot paprika, will also come in handy.

With the exception of Hamburger Helper Deluxe Beef Stroganoff (available on Amazon) and similar pre-made mixes that use ground beef, most traditional recipes call for choosing the absolute best cut of steak for tender beef stroganoff. Often, this will be a sirloin or a ribeye steak. If you're looking for a way to spice up your stroganoff with coordinating flavors, adding horseradish into the mix is akin to pairing horseradish with steak for an elevated flavor experience. Using horseradish in any of its various forms will bring a level of heat and intensity to your meal while adding a familiar and steak-adjacent taste into the mix.

There are many ways to use horseradish and, depending on your preparation methods, it can range from mild to extremely potent. Knowing how to properly prep fresh horseradish is key. For example, if you add even a small amount of freshly grated horseradish directly into your beef stroganoff's cream sauce, be prepared for an incredibly strong flavor. Getting a jar of "tamed" wild horseradish such, as Inglehoffer Horseradish Cream, is your best bet for a creamy addition with a balanced level of spiciness.

Add a bit of North African culinary inspiration to a classic Russian beef stroganoff by including harissa paste in your next dish. Made from a combination of red chilis, garlic, spices, oil, and citrus, harissa paste is characterized by a bold and smoky flavor. It can be a spicy tomato paste substitute or, in the context of a beef stroganoff, a small but powerful addition of heat and complexity of flavor.

You can make your own harissa paste at home or grab a jar of Mina Harissa Hot Sauce or any of your favorite brands on Amazon. Make sure to carefully read the descriptions of the different brands of harissa sauce available, as some will land on the spicier side while others will be more mild. When preparing your favorite beef stroganoff recipe, it would be ideal to add a dash of harissa paste in between deglazing the pan and bringing the cream sauce together for a flavorful impact.

If you love exploring the many different hot sauce brands at your local grocery store and beyond, then you might consider adding a few drops of your favorite brand to your beef stroganoff. It's all about determining which spicy flavors you like best and carefully introducing them into your beef stroganoff dish. Many hot sauces have droppers or limited flow openings, which is great when you want to be able to moderate the level of spiciness. Add some to the pot when mixing all of the ingredients together to achieve a balanced overall taste.

For fans of the internet show "Hot Ones," you'll be happy to know that you can find Wilder Hot Ones Roulette (Hot Sauce Included) on Amazon, which presents a perfect opportunity to discover new favorite hot sauce flavors. If you have a taste for something a little more strange, there are plenty of unusual hot sauce brands that you must try, many of which would make an amazing addition to your beef stroganoff. Mind the Scoville levels on the label and remember: the higher the number, the stronger the heat.

A trendy newer player in the gourmet spicy scene is chili crisp. This combination of chilis, oil, garlic, and spices is a potent mixture with a lot of robust flavor. With so many creative ways to use chili crisp in your cooking, adding it to a beef stroganoff is a sure-fire way to bring the heat. Noting the textural difference between chili crisp and chili crunch, you can count on a smoother addition to your beef dish from chili crisp, which has a significantly less gritty texture than that of its crunchy counterpart.

There are a bevy of chili crisp brands to choose from to ensure you get the jar that's right for you. Consider Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp for a sugar-free option that effectively balances the savory and spicy tastes. When adding this to your beef stroganoff, consider that there will still be some crispy texture included, which you should take care to mix thoroughly into your cream sauce.