Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
These Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy are fall-apart tender, loaded with rich savory flavor, and practically make themselves in the slow cooker. The ultimate easy comfort food dinner the whole family will love.
The Easiest Comfort Food You Will Make All Year
Some recipes just feel like a warm hug at the end of a long day, and this Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy is exactly that. Tender chunks of beef slow-cooked until they nearly melt in your mouth, surrounded by a thick, deeply savory gravy that begs to be ladled over a mountain of buttery mashed potatoes. It is the kind of dinner that makes your whole house smell incredible by mid-afternoon and has everyone asking what is for dinner before you have even set the table.
Whether you are searching for easy beef tips crock pot recipes to add to your weeknight rotation, or you just want a hearty crockpot meal that practically cooks itself, this recipe checks every box. It requires minimal prep, uses pantry staples most of us already have on hand, and delivers restaurant-quality results without any fuss.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
The magic here comes down to a few smart choices layered on top of each other.
First, the sear. Taking an extra 10 minutes to brown the beef before it goes into the slow cooker makes a remarkable difference. That golden crust is not just about looks. It creates hundreds of new flavor compounds through the Maillard reaction, and all of that savory goodness releases into the gravy as the beef braises low and slow.
Second, the sauce base. Cream of mushroom soup and onion soup mix might sound old-fashioned, but they are genuinely brilliant in this context. The cream of mushroom soup adds richness and body, while the onion soup mix delivers a concentrated punch of savory, umami flavor that would take much longer to build from scratch. Together with beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, they create a gravy that tastes like it has been simmering all day. Because it has.
Third, the cornstarch slurry. Added in the final 20 minutes, this simple trick transforms a thin braising liquid into a glossy, spoon-coating gravy worthy of any comfort food spread.
Chef's Tip: Always mix your cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the slow cooker. Adding dry cornstarch directly will create lumps that are nearly impossible to whisk out.
The Right Tools Make a Real Difference
For easy crockpot recipes like this one, a quality 6-quart slow cooker with a tight-fitting lid gives you the best results. A wider slow cooker means more surface area for even cooking and a better reduction on the gravy. A good heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan is equally important for getting that essential sear on the beef.
Tips for the Best Beef Tips Crockpot Recipe
After making this dish more times than we can count, here are the details that matter most:
- Dry the beef before you season it. Moisture is the enemy of a good sear. Pat each piece dry with paper towels and you will get a beautiful brown crust instead of a gray steam.
- Do not overcrowd the pan. Sear the beef in two or three batches with space between each piece. Crowding drops the pan temperature and causes the beef to steam rather than sear.
- Low and slow wins every time. If your schedule allows it, cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours rather than rushing it on HIGH. The beef becomes noticeably more tender and the flavors meld together more deeply.
- Taste before you serve. The onion soup mix adds sodium, so hold off on extra salt until the very end when you can taste the finished gravy and adjust accordingly.
- Choose your cut wisely. Chuck roast cut into chunks or pre-cut beef stew meat are ideal. Both have the connective tissue and fat content that break down beautifully over long cook times and keep the beef moist and flavorful.
Chef's Tip: If you have a few extra minutes in the morning, deglaze the searing pan with a splash of the beef broth after you have finished browning the meat. Scrape up all of those browned bits and pour the whole thing into the slow cooker. That liquid gold adds even more flavor to the finished gravy.
What to Serve With Beef Tips and Gravy
This is a dish that was made for a proper base to soak up all of that incredible gravy. Here are the pairings that work best:
- Creamy mashed potatoes are the classic choice and the most popular for good reason.
- Egg noodles are a close second, catching the gravy in every curve and fold.
- Steamed white rice is a simple, satisfying option that lets the beef and gravy shine.
- Crusty bread for mopping the bowl clean is never a bad idea.
For vegetables on the side, roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or a simple garden salad all complement the richness of the beef without competing with it.
Ready to let your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting? Here is everything you need to make this comforting classic tonight:
Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
These Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy are fall-apart tender, loaded with rich savory flavor, and practically make themselves in the slow cooker. The ultimate easy comfort food dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat or sirloin tips, cut into 1.5-inch chunks, patted dry
- 1 oz onion soup mix, one standard packet
- 10 1/2 oz cream of mushroom soup, one can, undiluted
- 1 cup beef broth, low sodium preferred
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced into half-moons
- 2 tbsp olive oil, for searing, optional but recommended
- 2 tbsp cornstarch, mixed with 2 tbsp cold water to make a slurry
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1/2 tsp salt, adjust to taste at the end
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instruction
Pat the beef chunks completely dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms. Do not overcrowd the pan. Transfer seared beef to the slow cooker.
Add the sliced onion and minced garlic directly to the slow cooker on top of the beef.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, onion soup mix packet, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the beef and onions.
Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is completely tender and falling apart.
About 20 minutes before serving, stir together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until no lumps remain. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently to combine with the gravy.
Replace the lid and cook on HIGH for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the gravy has thickened to your liking.
Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker or crock pot
- Large skillet or cast iron pan
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Tongs
- Small bowl for cornstarch slurry
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
Notes
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
One of the best things about crockpot meals with beef tips is that they taste even better the next day once the flavors have had more time to develop. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a small splash of beef broth if the gravy has thickened too much. You can also microwave individual portions in 60-second intervals, stirring between each one.
For longer storage, this recipe freezes exceptionally well. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. It is a fantastic option for meal prepping comfort food dinners well in advance.
