Nothing beats coming home to a warm, comforting meal that practically makes itself — that’s why I’m excited to share this Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe with you. It’s one of those dishes that’s hearty, simple, and perfect for busy days when you want dinner waiting for you at the end of it all.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this slow cooker beef tips & gravy recipe more times than I can count because it’s just so satisfying and forgiving — perfect for any home cook looking for a no-fuss, flavorful dinner. It fills the house with the most amazing aroma and tastes like something you slaved over all day, but really, the slow cooker does most of the work.
- Set-It-And-Forget-It Ease: Simply throw all the ingredients into your slow cooker in the morning and dinner’s ready hours later — no standing by the stove needed.
- Rich, Comforting Flavor: The garlic, thyme, and onion soup mix build a deep flavor base that keeps you coming back for seconds.
- Versatile Serving Options: Whether you prefer it over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice, this gravy-coated beef hits the spot every time.
- Customize With Ease: I’ll share some simple tweaks for thickening, searing, and more to make it truly your own.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this recipe has a role that’s both delicious and practical. Together, they create a gravy that’s rich but not overpowering, and beef tips so tender they melt in your mouth. Here are the key ingredients and why I always keep them on hand for this recipe.
- Stew Meat: This cut is perfect because it gets fork-tender after slow cooking and absorbs all those spices and gravy flavors beautifully.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Basic but essential for seasoning the beef right from the start.
- Dried Thyme: Adds a subtle earthiness that complements the beef without stealing the show.
- Garlic (minced): Garlic brings warmth and depth — fresh minced really makes a difference here.
- Dry Onion Soup Mix: This is the secret shortcut to an instant flavor boost — it has everything from onion powder to herbs that make the gravy irresistible.
- Beef Broth: The gravy base — I recommend low-sodium broth so you can control the saltiness.
- Ketchup: Surprising but true — it adds a hint of sweetness and tang to balance the savory flavors.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This gives a tasty umami punch that rounds out the flavor profile.
- Cornstarch: The final touch for thickening the gravy into a luscious sauce that clings to every juicy bite.
Make It Your Way
I love making this recipe just as written on busy weekdays, but when I have more time, I like to personalize it. One of my favorite twists is to sear the beef first to add a beautiful caramelized crust — trust me, it takes the flavor up a notch! You can also swap out the dried thyme for rosemary or add mushrooms for extra earthiness.
- Variation: I once added sliced mushrooms and a splash of red wine before slow cooking, which gave the gravy a deeper, more complex flavor — totally worth the extra step.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Beef and Mix Flavors
Start by placing your stew meat evenly in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together salt, pepper, dried thyme, minced garlic, dry onion soup mix, beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture right over the beef so every piece gets coated in all that flavor.
Step 2: Set It and Forget It
Cover your slow cooker and set it to low for 7 to 8 hours. If you’re short on time, you can do 4-5 hours on high, but low and slow is the magic that makes the beef tender and the gravy perfect.
Step 3: Serve Warm and Enjoy
Once your slow cooker finishes, give the beef tips a gentle stir to coat everything in that rich, thick gravy. Serve over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or even steamed rice — whatever you love. Then sit down and enjoy a meal that feels like a hug on a plate.
Top Tip
From all my trials making this slow cooker beef tips & gravy recipe, a few little hacks have really helped me nail the perfect texture and flavor every time.
- Sear for Richness: Quickly browning the beef tips in a hot pan beforehand adds a caramelized flavor base that makes the gravy taste deeper and more savory.
- Consistent Size: Cutting your stew meat into even pieces ensures each bit cooks evenly, preventing some pieces from drying out or others being underdone.
- Thickening Trick: If your gravy turns out thinner than you like, mix a little cold water with cornstarch and stir it into the cooker at the end. Let it cook an extra 15 minutes and you’ll get that silky, gravy texture.
- Patience Pays: Resist the urge to cook on high — slow and low is what breaks down the beef's connective tissue to fork-tender perfection.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley right on top before serving — it adds a pop of color and a bright, fresh note that contrasts the rich gravy. Sometimes, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper or even a few caramelized onions makes it feel special.
Side Dishes
Mashed potatoes are classic and perfect because they soak up all that luscious gravy, but I also serve it with buttered egg noodles or even creamy polenta. For a lighter option, steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts give a nice balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, I like to serve the beef tips over buttery puff pastry shells — it’s unexpected and super fancy-looking without extra effort. Or, spoon the tips atop baked potatoes and garnish with shredded cheese and chives for a loaded potato twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they keep beautifully for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so it’s a great make-ahead lunch or quick dinner fix.
Freezing
This recipe freezes really well. Just portion it out into freezer-safe containers, freeze flat for easy stacking, and thaw in the fridge the day before you want to enjoy it again. It’s perfect for batch cooking and busy weeks.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, to keep the beef tender and the gravy smooth. Adding a little splash of beef broth or water helps if the gravy has thickened up too much in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! While stew meat is ideal because it becomes tender after long, slow cooking, you can also use chuck roast cut into cubes or sirloin tips. Just make sure the pieces are evenly sized to cook properly.
Browning the beef isn’t necessary but it really enhances the flavor with a richer, deeper taste and better texture. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip it, but I recommend it when you have the extra few minutes.
Mix an additional tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker towards the end of cooking. Allow it to cook for 10-15 more minutes on high or uncovered to reach your desired thickness.
Absolutely! Just substitute the dry onion soup mix with a gluten-free version or make your own blend of dried onion powder, garlic powder, and herbs. Use cornstarch as written since it’s naturally gluten-free, and double-check all other ingredients like Worcestershire sauce for gluten content.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines comfort, convenience, and classic flavors in one pot. I hope you enjoy the same easy satisfaction I get from pulling this off, whether it’s a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend dinner. Give it a try and let me know how you customize it — I’m always excited to hear new ideas!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy is a comforting American main course featuring tender beef stew meat cooked low and slow in a flavorful gravy made from beef broth, onion soup mix, and seasonings. This hearty dish is perfect served over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes for a cozy meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs stew meat
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 1 (1 oz) package dry onion soup mix
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat: Place the stew meat in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, making sure the pieces are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- Mix Seasonings and Liquids: In a medium bowl, whisk together salt, black pepper, dried thyme, minced garlic, dry onion soup mix, beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Add to Slow Cooker: Pour the seasoning and liquid mixture evenly over the beef tips in the slow cooker.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, allowing the meat to become tender and the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the beef tips and gravy over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes and enjoy a warm, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Deeper Flavor: For enhanced taste, sear the beef tips in a hot skillet with butter or olive oil before adding to the slow cooker, browning all sides briefly.
- Thicker Gravy: If you prefer a thicker gravy, mix additional cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry, add it to the slow cooker near the end, and cook a little longer until thickened.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the seasoning mixture a day in advance and refrigerate to streamline the cooking process.
- Cook on Low Heat: Slow cooking on low heat breaks down tough connective tissue, ensuring tender beef tips.
- Even-Sized Beef Tips: Cut meat into similarly sized pieces for even cooking and consistent texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
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