Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

Cozy Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe for Comfort Meals

Beef tips simmering in a rich, velvety gravy can turn an ordinary weeknight into a cozy culinary adventure.

Slow cookers work magic with tough cuts, breaking down fibers until meat practically melts on your fork.

Deep, savory flavors develop gradually as ingredients mingle and dance together.

Hearty comfort food doesn’t require complicated techniques or hours of attention.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients create such remarkable results.

Minimal effort leads to maximum satisfaction when you serve these tender, succulent beef tips.

This classic dish promises to become your new go-to dinner that everyone will request again and again.

Why Crock Pot Beef Tips And Gravy Is A Dinner Favorite

  • Unlock Tender Perfection: Slow cooking transforms tough beef into melt-in-your-mouth bites that practically fall apart with each forkful.
  • Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Toss ingredients into the crockpot with minimal chopping and stirring, creating a rich, deeply satisfying meal without hours of kitchen work.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This hearty dish brings families together with its classic, nostalgic flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family dinners or potluck gatherings.
  • Versatile Serving Options: Easily adapt the recipe by serving over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, allowing you to customize the meal to match your family's preferences or pantry ingredients.

Everything In Crock Pot Beef Tips And Gravy

Main Protein:
  • Stew Meat: Tender beef cut perfect for slow cooking and creating a rich, hearty dish.
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Beef Broth, Worcestershire Sauce, Ketchup: Provide deep, savory liquid base and add complexity to the overall flavor profile.
Seasoning and Thickening Agents:
  • Dry Onion Soup Mix, Thyme, Minced Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Create a robust seasoning blend that adds depth and traditional comfort food flavor.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken the gravy and create a smooth, rich sauce consistency.

How To Cook Crock Pot Beef Tips And Gravy

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

Grab your stew meat and gently blot away any extra moisture using paper towels. This helps create a beautiful sear and locks in those delicious flavors.

Step 2: Create the Flavor Base

Gather your ingredients for the magical sauce:
  • Beef broth
  • Dry onion soup mix
  • Fresh thyme
  • Minced garlic
  • Ketchup
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

In a medium bowl, whisk these ingredients together until they form a smooth, tantalizing mixture that will transform your beef into a mouthwatering meal.

Step 3: Set Up the Slow Cooker

Transfer the beef into a 6-quart slow cooker, creating a cozy bed for the meat. Pour the whisked sauce all over the beef, making sure every single piece gets a delicious coating.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and let the magic happen. Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours. During this time, the beef will become incredibly tender, absorbing all those rich, incredible flavors.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

When the beef is fall-apart tender, it’s ready to be served. Spoon these incredible beef tips over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or tender egg noodles. Watch as your family and friends dive into this comfort food masterpiece.

Tips For Making Crock Pot Beef Tips And Gravy Great

  • Select Quality Meat: Choose well-marbled stew beef or chuck roast for maximum tenderness and rich flavor in your slow cooker dish.
  • Pat Meat Dry: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture, helping the beef brown better and develop deeper caramelization during cooking.
  • Thicken Gravy Perfectly: If the sauce seems thin, mix an extra tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Boost Flavor Depth: Consider adding a splash of red wine or beef stock to enhance the sauce's complexity and richness.
  • Meal Prep Hack: Freeze leftover beef tips in portioned containers for quick, delicious meals within 3 months of preparation.

Fun Variations Of Crock Pot Beef Tips And Gravy

  • Venison Delight: Swap beef with lean venison for a wild game version, keeping all other ingredients the same for a rich, gamey flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Comfort: Replace beef with firm tofu or seitan chunks, using vegetable broth instead of beef broth, perfect for plant-based diets.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free onion soup mix and tamari sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
  • Instant Pot Express: Convert the slow cooker method to an Instant Pot, reducing cooking time to 35-40 minutes while maintaining the same tender meat texture.

What Goes Well With Crock Pot Beef Tips And Gravy

  • Pair with Robust Red Wines: Select full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec that complement the rich, savory beef flavors and stand up to the hearty gravy.
  • Serve with Creamy Sides: Choose buttery mashed potatoes, cheesy polenta, or garlic-infused rice to soak up the delicious gravy and enhance the overall dining experience.
  • Match with Crisp Green Salads: Prepare a light, tangy salad with fresh mixed greens, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the heavy, meaty main dish and provide a refreshing contrast.
  • Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Add roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or Brussels sprouts to introduce a caramelized, slightly sweet element that pairs beautifully with the beef tips and gravy.

How To Store Crock Pot Beef Tips And Gravy Properly

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, beef tips can stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Transfer cooled beef tips to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
  • Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
  • Pour beef tips into a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying.

Crock Pot Beef Tips And Gravy FAQs Explained

  • Why pat the meat dry before cooking?

Patting the meat dry helps create a better sear and prevents excess moisture, allowing the beef to brown more effectively and develop richer flavors.

  • Can I use fresh onions instead of dry onion soup mix?

Yes, you can substitute the dry mix with 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh onions, which will provide a similar depth of flavor to the dish.

  • How do I know the beef is tender enough?

The beef is ready when it easily falls apart with a fork and can be cut with minimal resistance, typically after 7-8 hours of slow cooking.

  • Is it necessary to use cornstarch in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps thicken the gravy and creates a smooth, rich sauce that coats the beef tips perfectly, so it’s recommended for the best texture.

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Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe


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4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes – 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, promising tender meat that melts in your mouth. Rich, savory flavors and simple ingredients make this classic dish a perfect weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 2 lbs (907 grams) beef stew meat

Seasonings and Spices:

  • 1 1-ounce (28 grams) packet dry onion soup mix
  • 3 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)

Liquid and Thickeners:

  • 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly blot beef pieces with paper towels to eliminate surface moisture, ensuring optimal searing and flavor absorption.
  2. Transfer beef into a spacious 6-quart slow cooker, arranging pieces in a single layer for even cooking.
  3. Create a robust flavor base by vigorously whisking together beef broth, dry onion soup mix, aromatic thyme, pungent minced garlic, tangy ketchup, savory Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch, and seasoning agents.
  4. Cascade the meticulously prepared liquid mixture over the beef, gently rotating the slow cooker to guarantee complete meat coverage.
  5. Secure the slow cooker lid and initiate a low-temperature culinary transformation, allowing the beef to simmer and tenderize for 7-8 hours until meat reaches melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
  6. Once cooking concludes, carefully transfer the succulent beef tips and rich, velvety gravy onto a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or tender egg noodles for a hearty, comforting meal.

Notes

  • Moisture Removal: Pat meat thoroughly with paper towels to achieve a perfect sear and enhance flavor development during slow cooking.
  • Seasoning Enhancement: Let the meat marinate in the broth mixture for 30 minutes before cooking to deepen the flavor profile and tenderize the beef.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular cornstarch with arrowroot powder or potato starch to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
  • Vegetable Boost: Add sliced mushrooms or diced carrots during the last two hours of cooking to increase nutritional value and provide extra texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7-8 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 287 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 620 mg
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Creating single-serving recipes tailored for individuals, small households, or meal preppers
  • Culinary arts with a focus on clean plating and natural styling for food photography
  • Working with fermented ingredients and dairy-based cooking techniques
  • Designing seasonal menus that use fresh, locally sourced produce

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Bend, OR

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Gained hands-on experience in professional kitchens, learning advanced recipe development, seasonal ingredient sourcing, and simple, beautiful food presentation.

ServSafe Food Handler Certification – Portland, OR

  • Program: Food Safety Certification
    Focus: Certified in core food safety and hygiene principles for both home and professional kitchens, with emphasis on ingredient handling, kitchen cleanliness, and safe preparation methods.

Mike’s kitchen journey began with a single goal: to make everyday meals feel like something worth celebrating.
After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Cascade Culinary Institute, he spent years working with local farmers and small kitchens across Oregon, learning the beauty of seasonal, small-batch cooking.
Mike’s approach is simple, cook with what’s fresh, keep it approachable, and always leave room for a little creativity. When he’s not testing yogurt marinades or designing single-serving meals, you’ll find him hiking trails or hunting down the best berries at local markets.

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