🎉 Introduction
When life calls for warm, hearty comfort food, nothing beats a bowl of Slow Cooker Beef Tips. This dish features cubes of beef simmered for hours until fork-tender, coated in a flavorful, savory gravy. It’s budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and perfect for busy days since the slow cooker does all the work.
Beef tips are a staple in Southern and Midwestern kitchens, often served over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Whether for Sunday family dinner or a weeknight meal, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Slow cooker (6-quart recommended)
- Large skillet (for searing)
- Cutting board & knife
- Mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups & spoons
🛒 Ingredients
🥩 Meat:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat (or sirloin tips/chuck roast, cut into cubes)
🧄 Fruits & Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
🥫 Canned Goods:
- 3 cups beef broth
🌾 Dry & Pantry:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
🥄 Condiments:
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richness)
🫒 Oils & Fats:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
🥛 Dairy (optional garnish):
- Fresh parsley or sour cream for serving
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1 – Prep the Beef
- Toss beef cubes in flour, salt, and pepper until lightly coated.
Step 2 – Sear the Meat
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear beef in batches until browned on all sides (don’t overcrowd). Transfer to slow cooker.
Step 3 – Build the Flavor
4. In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
5. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and 1 cup beef broth to deglaze the pan. Scrape up browned bits for extra flavor.
6. Pour mixture into slow cooker.
Step 4 – Slow Cook
7. Add remaining beef broth, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
8. Stir gently, cover, and cook:
- Low: 7–8 hours
- High: 4–5 hours
Step 5 – Thicken the Gravy (optional)
9. If gravy is too thin, whisk 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water. Stir into slow cooker during last 20 minutes.
Step 6 – Serve
10. Spoon beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Garnish with parsley if desired.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 5 hours (high)
- Total Time: ~8 hours 20 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days in airtight container.
- Freeze up to 3 months (thaw overnight before reheating).
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth to loosen gravy.
🥄 Variations
- Mushroom Beef Tips: Add 8 oz sliced mushrooms for earthy flavor.
- Red Wine Beef Tips: Replace 1 cup broth with red wine.
- Spicy Cajun Beef Tips: Stir in 1 tsp Cajun seasoning.
- Vegetable Boost: Add carrots, peas, or green beans for a stew-like meal.
❓ 10 FAQs
- What cut of beef works best?
Chuck roast, stew meat, or sirloin tips — slow cooking makes them tender. - Do I have to sear the beef first?
No, but searing adds depth of flavor. - Can I make this on the stovetop?
Yes — simmer covered on low for ~2 hours. - How do I know it’s done?
Beef should be fork-tender and gravy thickened. - Can I use frozen beef?
Thaw first for best texture and safe cooking. - Can I add cream for richness?
Yes, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream at the end. - What’s the best side dish?
Mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered egg noodles. - Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but use an 8-quart slow cooker. - Can I use cornstarch instead of flour to coat beef?
Yes, it makes a gluten-free option too. - How long does it keep in the freezer?
Up to 3 months, tightly sealed.
🏁 Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Beef Tips recipe is the perfect mix of simple prep and incredible payoff. With tender beef cubes simmered in savory gravy, it’s a cozy dinner that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day — even though the slow cooker did the work. Serve it over mashed potatoes or noodles, and you’ll have a family favorite in no time.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips – Tender, Hearty & Comforting
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Toss beef cubes in flour, salt, and pepper until lightly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear beef in batches until browned on all sides (don’t overcrowd). Transfer to slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and 1 cup beef broth to deglaze the pan. Scrape up browned bits for extra flavor.
- Pour mixture into slow cooker.
- Add remaining beef broth, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Stir gently, cover, and cook:
- Low: 7–8 hours
- High: 4–5 hours
- If gravy is too thin, whisk 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water. Stir into slow cooker during last 20 minutes.
- Spoon beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Chuck roast, stew meat, or sirloin tips — slow cooking makes them tender. Do I have to sear the beef first?
No, but searing adds depth of flavor. Can I make this on the stovetop?
Yes — simmer covered on low for ~2 hours. How do I know it’s done?
Beef should be fork-tender and gravy thickened. Can I use frozen beef?
Thaw first for best texture and safe cooking. Can I add cream for richness?
Yes, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream at the end. What’s the best side dish?
Mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered egg noodles. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but use an 8-quart slow cooker. Can I use cornstarch instead of flour to coat beef?
Yes, it makes a gluten-free option too. How long does it keep in the freezer?
Up to 3 months, tightly sealed. 🏁 Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Beef Tips recipe is the perfect mix of simple prep and incredible payoff. With tender beef cubes simmered in savory gravy, it’s a cozy dinner that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day — even though the slow cooker did the work. Serve it over mashed potatoes or noodles, and you’ll have a family favorite in no time.
