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Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy is the best crock pot recipe and hearty meal – with tender chunks of beef in a savory gravy with beef broth. It’s an easy recipe for a weeknight dinner or special occasions.
For the chicken version of this slow cooker meal try my Easy Crockpot Chicken and Gravy.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips With Brown Gravy
This easy crockpot dinner recipe is a great way to get a delicious meal on the dinner table with hardly any effort at all – and I promise, the whole family will LOVE it.
It’s one of my favorite meals to make when I want some comfort food and a good hearty meal that I know even my kids will eat. It’s fancy enough for a Sunday dinner with family and quick & easy enough for a busy school night dinner.
You only need a handful of ingredients like chunked beef stew meat, onion, brown gravy mix, beef broth, and some dried seasonings. So delicious, bursting with flavor, super tender fall-apart chunks of beef, and a savory brown gravy that is perfect served over mashed potatoes.
Simple Ingredients Needed
- Beef Stew Meat : You will need about 2 pounds of chunked beef stew meat. You can find this already cut into chunks and labeled as ‘beef stew meat’ or you can buy a larger piece of beef and cut it into chunks. I prefer buying a Round Eye Roast and cutting into chunks (against the grain of the meat) when I make this recipe. A round eye roast is leaner, without all the connective tissue, which I prefer that.
- Beef Broth : You can also use beef stock or beef bone broth. I do recommend using full salted broth or stock for the best flavor. The longer cook time of the beef tips can dull the flavors over time which is why I prefer using full salt broth or stock. But, of course, low-sodium beef broth can be used if that’s what you prefer.
- Onion : Use a yellow onion, sweet onion, or white onion and finely dice it for the recipe.
- Brown Gravy Mix : This is an envelope of brown gravy mix. Do not prepare it according to the package directions, simply dump the dry contents out and that’s it.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garlic Cloves : The best options for garlic is using fresh garlic cloves that have been minced or pressed, or use garlic paste. 1 teaspoon of garlic paste equals 1 fresh garlic clove (so use 5 teaspoons garlic paste). If using jarred minced garlic then you will need to use 2.5 tablespoons to equal the 5 garlic cloves.
- Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper : The dried seasonings needed.
How To Make Crockpot Beef Tips (Printable Recipe Card)
Add the chunked beef stew meat, beef broth, finely diced onions, brown gravy mixes, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper into your slow cooker.
Cover and set to LOW heat and cook for 7-8 hours.
Serve over cooked white rice, mashed potatoes (my family’s fave), or cooked egg noodles. Enjoy!
How To Store Leftover Beef Tips and Gravy
Any leftover crock pot beef tips should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat place a single serving in the microwave for 45-60 seconds at a time until the desired temperature has been reached. If reheating larger portions, place leftovers in a pot over medium to low heat and stir occasionally. You may need to add some beef broth to prevent the gravy from becoming too thick during heating.
To freeze leftovers make sure that they are completely cooled to room temperature, and then place them into a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bag. Be sure to leave from in the container or bag for the expansion of the liquid while freezing. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stove top.
What Are Some Substitutions I Can Make?
- Beef Stew Meat : If you can’t find beef stew meat, or you just don’t want to use it, consider using a round eye roast or a chuck roast and cutting it into larger bite-sized chunks again the grain of the meat. I actually always buy a 2 pound to 2.5 pound round eye roast and cut it into chunks. I prefer the lean round eye roast and it does not have as much connective tissue as the chunked beef stew meat or chuck roast does.
- Beef Broth : Other options include beef stock, beef bone broth, or beef bouillon and water. I do recommend using full salted regular beef broth or stock for the bet flavor, however, you can use low-sodium beef broth or other options if wanted.
- Brown Gravy Mix : If you have a large container, you will need 6 tablespoons of the brown gravy powder mix to equal the two packets called for in the recipe.
- Garlic Cloves : You can use 5 teaspoons of garlic paste or use 2.5 tablespoons jarred minced garlic in place of the fresh garlic cloves.
Serving Suggestions For Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
My family loves beef tips and gravy served over Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes. I always make them when I make this recipe for dinner. Other mashed potato options include store-bought mashed potatoes in the packets or ready-to-use, or another mashed potato recipe you prefer such as these Crockpot Mashed Potatoes with fresh herbs.
Make it a complete meal and serve with some bread such as Hawaiian dinner rolls, frozen rolls that you bake up, grab some rolls from the bakery section, or make my amazing and buttery One Hour Rolls.
Recipe FAQs
Can I Add Sliced Mushrooms?
Yes, adding some sliced or cubed mushrooms is a great addition to this recipe. Add them to the slow cooker along with the beef. I do recommend using fresh mushrooms versus canned mushrooms or frozen.
How Can I Thicken The Sauce More?
If the sauce is not as thick as you prefer after the cook time, there are a few options. Simply take the lid off of the slow cooker and allow the extra moisture to evaporate, which will slightly thicken the sauce (this is what I do and it’s perfect for us). If it’s still not thick enough try using a cornstarch slurry, a little bit at a time, as not to thicken it too much. Mix together 1 teaspoon cold water + 1 teaspoon cornstarch and stir it into the slow cooker. Let it cook a few minutes to thicken and add additional cornstarch slurry as needed.
Want To Add Some Spice?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, sriracha, or any hot sauce you prefer for some added spice.
Do I Need To Sear The Meat Before Adding It Into The Slow Cooker?
No, for this recipe you do not need to sear the beef. The meat gets ultra tender in the slow cooker and you really don’t need that charred exterior on it as it’s just a lot of extra work without the results. The recipe as is produces fall-apart tender beef which is the goal of this recipe.
Can I Use A Different Type of Beef?
Yes, you can use any type of beef roast and cut it into chunks if wanted. I actually prefer using a round eye roast and cutting it into chunks for this recipe. It’s a leaner cut, compared to beef stew meat, and it does not have all the connective tissues that beef stew meat has. Other cut of beef options include a chuck roast, top sirloin roast for sirloin tips, or whatever else you prefer.
More Family Favorite Crockpot Dinner Recipes
- Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Steak Bites
- Crockpot Pulled Beef Sandwiches
- Easy Crockpot Meatball Marinara
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Crockpot Meatball Stroganoff
- Crockpot Mississippi Meatballs
- Crockpot Steak and Potatoes
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat (see notes)
- 2 cups beef broth or beef stock
- 1 yellow or sweet onion finely diced
- 2 packages (1 oz each) brown gravy mix
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 5 garlic cloves minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the chunked beef stew meat, beef broth, finely diced onions, brown gravy mixes, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper into your slow cooker.2 pounds beef stew meat, 2 cups beef broth or beef stock, 1 yellow or sweet onion, 2 packages (1 oz each) brown gravy mix, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 5 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Cover and set to LOW heat and cook for 7-8 hours.
- Serve over cooked white rice, mashed potatoes (my family's fave), or cooked egg noodles. Enjoy!
Notes
-
- Beef Stew Meat : If you can’t find beef stew meat, or you just don’t want to use it, consider using a round eye roast or a chuck roast and cutting it into larger bite-sized chunks against the grain of the meat. I actually always buy a 2 pound to 2.5 pound round eye roast and cut it into chunks. I prefer the lean round eye roast and it does not have as much connective tissue as the chunked beef stew meat or chuck roast does.
- Beef Broth : Other options include beef stock, beef bone broth, or beef bouillon and water. I do recommend using full salted regular beef broth or stock for the best flavor, however, you can use low-sodium beef broth or other options if wanted. I use beef stock when I make the recipe.
-
- Brown Gravy Mix : If you have a large container, you will need 6 tablespoons of the brown gravy powder mix to equal the two packets called for in the recipe. Do not prepare the packets according to the directions, follow the recipe given, and just dump the dry contents into the crockpot.
-
- Garlic Cloves : You can use 5 teaspoons of garlic paste or use 2.5 tablespoons jarred minced garlic in place of the fresh garlic cloves.
- Thicker Sauce? : If the sauce is not as thick as you prefer after the cook time, there are a few options. Simply take the lid off of the slow cooker and allow the extra moisture to evaporate, which will slightly thicken the sauce (this is what I do and it’s perfect for us). If it’s still not thick enough try using a cornstarch slurry, a little bit at a time, as not to thicken it too much. Mix together 1 teaspoon cold water + 1 teaspoon cornstarch and stir it into the slow cooker. Let it cook a few minutes to thicken and add additional cornstarch slurry as needed.
- Cooking Tip : I don’t recommend cooking beef tips on high in the slow cooker, but if you want to, cook on high heat for 3-4 hours. I find that it’s best to cook low & slow when cooking beef, as it gets super ultra tender and falls apart when cooked slowly.
Nutrition
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