If you’re craving a comforting, hearty meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate, the Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe is exactly what you need. Tender chunks of beef stew meat slowly simmered with rich, savory flavors blend beautifully with a luscious mushroom gravy. This dish is the perfect example of effortless cooking that rewards you with melt-in-your-mouth textures and deep, satisfying taste. Once you try this recipe, it’s sure to become a go-to for cozy dinners and family gatherings alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe lies in its simplicity. Using just a handful of pantry staples, each ingredient plays an essential role—whether it’s layering flavor, enhancing the gravy’s creaminess, or tenderizing the beef into perfect bite-sized pieces.
- 2 lbs beef stew meat: Choose well-marbled pieces for tenderness and rich flavor.
- 1 packet onion soup mix: Adds a burst of savory, garlicky depth that enhances the beef.
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup: Provides creaminess and that signature mushroom taste for the gravy.
- 1 cup beef broth: Keeps the mixture moist while concentrating the beef flavor as it cooks.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: Brings a tangy, umami kick that rounds out the stew perfectly.
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Combine Your Ingredients
Start by placing all your ingredients directly into the slow cooker. No need for pre-browning—the beauty of this recipe is its hands-off magic. Just layer the beef stew meat with the onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce right in the pot.
Step 2: Mix It All Together
Take a spoon and gently stir the mixture to combine everything evenly. This ensures the soup base coats the beef nicely and the flavors meld throughout the cooking process, setting the stage for a rich gravy.
Step 3: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours. Patience here is key—the slow cooking tenderizes the beef beautifully, allowing the gravy to thicken and intensify. This long, gentle simmer transforms simple ingredients into a deliciously hearty dish.
Step 4: Serve with Your Favorite Base
Once cooking is complete, give the beef tips one last stir and they’re ready to serve. This dish shines over fluffy mashed potatoes or steamed rice, where the rich gravy can soak in and complement every bite.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, thyme, or chives adds a fresh burst of color and a subtle herbal note, brightening the hearty gravy. A few cracked black pepper flakes on top can also add a little kick that complements the richness perfectly.
Side Dishes
Mashed potatoes are a classic pairing, offering a creamy canvas that soaks up the luscious gravy. If you want to switch things up, creamy polenta or buttered egg noodles also work wonderfully. For a lighter touch, steamed green beans or roasted carrots create a nice balance alongside this rich dish.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests or family, try serving the beef tips and gravy over individual ramekins of baked mashed potato cups or savory Yorkshire puddings. You could also spoon it over a bed of garlic butter rice nestled inside hollowed-out bell peppers for a fun and colorful presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. Simply transfer leftovers into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty ziplock bags. Label them with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. When thawed, the beef and gravy retain their delicious taste and texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Adding a splash of beef broth or water can help loosen the gravy if it has thickened too much. For a quick option, microwave covered in short intervals, stirring between to heat evenly.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
While beef stew meat is ideal for its tenderness when slow-cooked, you can also use chuck roast cut into chunks. Avoid leaner cuts like sirloin, as they might dry out during the long cooking process.
Do I need to brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker?
It’s not necessary for this recipe since the slow cooker does the heavy lifting. However, browning the beef beforehand can add extra flavor and color if you have the time and prefer a deeper, beefier taste.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Most onion soup mixes and cream of mushroom soups contain gluten, so look for gluten-free labeled versions or make your own seasoning mix to ensure the dish fits your dietary needs.
How thick will the gravy be? Can I make it thicker?
The gravy naturally thickens during the slow cooking process thanks to the soup base. If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water at the end and cook on high for 10–15 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.
Can I add vegetables to this Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped mushrooms, onions, or carrots can be added right at the start for extra flavor and nutrition. Just be mindful that vegetables will soften over the 7-hour cook time.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe is such a satisfying and foolproof dish that it quickly earns a special spot in anyone’s cooking repertoire. The ease of putting everything in the crock pot and forgetting it, combined with the rich, tender results, makes it a recipe worth sharing and savoring. I encourage you to try it out, especially on those days when you want a meal full of flavor without the fuss. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy recipe delivers a hearty and comforting meal with tender beef stew meat simmered in a flavorful onion and mushroom gravy. Perfect for busy days, it requires minimal prep and cooks slowly to develop rich, savory flavors. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice for a satisfying dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 2 lbs beef stew meat
- 1 packet onion soup mix
Gravy
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Place the beef stew meat, onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce into the slow cooker.
- Combine Everything: Stir all the ingredients thoroughly to make sure the beef is well coated and the gravy base is evenly mixed.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on LOW heat for 7 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes or rice for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- For thicker gravy, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of celery or cream of chicken soup for a different flavor.
- Use fresh mushrooms sautéed and added at the end for extra texture and flavor.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
