Slow Cooker Tender Beef Tips in Gravy

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with this irresistible Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy recipe. Imagine fork-tender beef, slow-cooked to perfection, swimming in a rich, savory gravy that clings beautifully to every bite. This dish is designed to melt in your mouth, offering a depth of flavor that feels both gourmet and homestyle. Best of all, it achieves this incredible taste without relying on canned soups or pre-made mixes, ensuring a truly wholesome and satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Adore This Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy

Often referred to as Beef Tips and Rice or Beef Tips and Noodles, this versatile dish offers endless possibilities for a delicious and hearty meal. No matter your preference for serving, this easy Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy is guaranteed to become a family favorite. Here’s why you’ll love adding it to your rotation:

• Effortless Slow Cooking: This crockpot beef tips and gravy recipe simplifies meal prep, allowing your slow cooker to do most of the work. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want a home-cooked meal without the constant fuss.
• Unforgettable Rich Flavor: Prepare for a truly satisfying culinary experience. The beef simmers in a savory, well-seasoned gravy for hours, creating a profound depth of flavor that you simply can’t achieve with quick cooking methods. Each bite is a testament to slow-cooked perfection.
• Budget-Friendly & Feeds a Crowd: Made with economical cuts of beef, this recipe is a smart choice for feeding a large family or for meal prepping without breaking the bank. It generously serves eight, making it ideal for gatherings or providing leftovers for days.
• The Ultimate Comfort Meal: There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of beef tips and gravy to soothe the soul. This dish embodies the essence of comfort food, bringing warmth and contentment to your dining table.
• Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: Despite its rich taste, this slow cooker beef tips recipe relies on just a few basic ingredients to build its savory profile. You’ll appreciate the clean flavors and the absence of artificial additives.
• No Processed Ingredients: Say goodbye to canned soups, brown gravy mixes, or onion soup packets! This recipe prides itself on creating a thick, flavorful gravy from scratch, using real ingredients for a healthier and more delicious result.

If you’re looking for more easy and satisfying dinner recipes, be sure to explore our French Bread Sloppy Joes, Classic Pot Roast, Pesto Focaccia Ham, Turkey, and Cheese Sandwich, Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce, and Slow Cooker Roast Chicken.

For a detailed list of ingredients, precise measurements, and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Perfect Beef Tips and Gravy

While this recipe might involve a few more initial steps than the typical “dump-and-go” slow cooker beef tips that use creamed soups, the enhanced flavor and texture are absolutely worth the minimal extra effort. Trust us, the rich, homemade gravy and incredibly tender beef will make you glad you took the time.

1. Prepare and Season the Beef: In a spacious mixing bowl, generously season your beef tips with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Next, add the all-purpose flour to the bowl. Toss the meat thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated. This flour coating will help create that beautiful brown crust when searing and will also contribute to the gravy’s thickness.
2. Sear for Deep Flavor: Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the floured beef in 2 or 3 batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Browning the beef on all sides is a crucial step as it develops deep, rich flavors (the Maillard reaction) and locks in the juices, preventing the meat from drying out during slow cooking. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beautifully seared meat to your slow cooker crock. Set aside the bowl containing any remaining seasoned flour; it will be used later to thicken the gravy.

3. Build the Flavor Base: Evenly sprinkle the dried thyme and Italian seasoning over the seared beef in the slow cooker. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, distributing them throughout the meat. In the bowl where you seasoned the beef (with the leftover flour), whisk together the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. This mixture will pick up any remaining flour, ensuring it dissolves nicely into the gravy. Pour this savory broth mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Add the bay leaf for an extra layer of aromatic complexity.

4. Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and the cut of beef, but the goal is to achieve beef that is undeniably fork-tender. Once cooked, give the gravy a good stir and season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed.
5. Adjust Gravy Consistency (Optional): If you find the gravy is thinner than desired, simply remove about 1/2 cup of the hot gravy into a small bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until smooth, then stir this slurry back into the slow cooker. Cook on high for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your liking. If you prefer a thinner gravy, stir in a little more beef broth until the desired consistency is reached.

Serving Suggestions for Your Hearty Meal

This easy crockpot beef tips and gravy is a satisfying meal on its own, especially when served over classic bases. The rich gravy is perfect for soaking into fluffy white rice, tender egg noodles, creamy mashed potatoes (try our Quick Mashed Potatoes), or even polenta. But why stop there? Elevate your meal with these delicious side dish pairings:

• Roasted Vegetables: Complement the richness of the beef with vibrant, healthy roasted vegetables like Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms or Oven Roasted Broccoli. The slight char and crispness add a wonderful texture contrast.
• Fresh Salads: A crisp, light salad can cut through the richness of the gravy beautifully. Consider a refreshing Cucumber and Radish Salad or a simple green salad with a vinaigrette.
• Warm Bread: Don’t forget something to sop up every last drop of that amazing gravy! Soft and Fluffy One Hour Rolls, crusty French bread, or warm cornbread are excellent choices.

Expert Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Achieving perfectly tender beef tips with a luscious gravy is simpler than you think with these expert tips:

• Choose the Right Cut of Beef: The secret to truly moist and tender beef tips lies in selecting the correct cut. Beef chuck roast, top sirloin, or pre-cut stew meat are excellent choices as they contain connective tissues that break down beautifully during slow cooking, resulting in incredibly tender meat. Always trim off any excess fat before cutting the beef into large, bite-sized pieces. Remember, beef tends to shrink a little during cooking.
• Don’t Skip the Searing: Searing the beef before slow cooking is a non-negotiable step for maximum flavor. This process caramelizes the exterior of the meat, creating a delicious crust and locking in the juices. It adds an essential layer of savory complexity to the final dish. When searing, work in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can steam the meat instead of browning it.
• Control Salt Content with Broth: Opt for low sodium beef broth. This allows you complete control over the saltiness of your dish, letting you season to your personal preference without the risk of an overly salty gravy. If only regular beef broth is available, simply omit any added salt until the very end, then taste and adjust as needed.
• Achieving Your Ideal Gravy Consistency:
  • For a Thicker Gravy: If your gravy isn’t as thick as you’d like after cooking, remove about 1/2 cup of the hot liquid. Whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into this removed gravy until it forms a smooth slurry. Stir this mixture back into the slow cooker, then cover and cook on high for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the desired thickness is achieved. The cornstarch will thicken the gravy beautifully without altering the flavor.
  • For a Thinner Gravy: If your gravy is too thick, simply whisk in a little more low sodium beef broth, a quarter cup at a time, until it reaches your preferred consistency.
• Flavor Enhancements: For an even deeper umami flavor, consider adding a dash of soy sauce along with the Worcestershire, or a tablespoon of tomato paste when adding the onions and garlic. These ingredients can add another dimension to your gravy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

Tender melt in your mouth chunks of beef swimming in a savory rich gravy.

5 out of 5 stars from 3 votes

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Course:
Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine:
American

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
7 hours

Servings:
8

Calories:
243 kcal

Author:
Leigh Harris

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lbs Beef chuck roast (or sirloin or stew meat) fat trimmed, cut into large bite size pieces
• 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Dried thyme
• 1 cup Onion diced
• 1 Bay leaf
• 3 cloves Garlic minced
• 2 cups Low sodium beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. In a large bowl season the beef tips with kosher salt and black pepper. Add the all-purpose flour and toss the meat to coat evenly.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in 2 or 3 batches until browned on all sides, adding oil as needed. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker with a slotted spoon. Set aside the bowl with the remaining flour; do not discard it.
3. Sprinkle the dried thyme and Italian seasoning evenly over the meat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic.
4. In the bowl with the reserved flour, whisk together the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour this broth mixture over the beef in the slow cooker and add the bay leaf.
5. Slow cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fork tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. If you want a thicker gravy, remove 1/2 cup of gravy and whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, then add it back to the slow cooker and cook on high for 10-15 minutes longer. If you would like it thinner, add a little more beef broth.

Notes

Use low sodium beef broth so you can control the salt content. If you can only find regular beef broth, omit the salt and season to taste at the end.

Storing and Freezing – Let the beef tips and gravy cool completely, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 243 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 364mg | Potassium: 668mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 4mg