Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate comfort food: these Crockpot Beef Tips are incredibly tender, swimming in a rich and savory gravy, and practically make themselves. This is the perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal for a busy weeknight, delivering a dinner that tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove all day with minimal effort. If you’re looking for a recipe that will have the whole family cleaning their plates, this is it.
We’re talking melt-in-your-mouth, fork-tender beef in a luscious, deeply flavorful gravy that’s perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a truly satisfying and hearty meal.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Beef Tips Recipe
- Effortlessly Delicious: The slow cooker does all the hard work, simmering the beef to perfection while you go about your day. It’s a true lifesaver for busy families.
- Rich, Savory Gravy: The gravy is the star of the show. Made from a simple combination of beef broth, onion soup mix, and a few seasonings, it’s packed with flavor.
- Incredibly Tender Beef: Following a couple of simple steps ensures your beef tips will be unbelievably tender and juicy every single time.
- Versatile and Hearty: This dish is wonderfully versatile. Serve it over your favorite base for a complete and comforting meal that satisfies even the biggest appetites. Just like our popular Classic Beef Stew Recipe, it’s a guaranteed winner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen. You’ll be amazed at the flavor you can achieve with these pantry staples.
For the Beef Tips
- Beef Stew Meat: 2 pounds, cut into 1 to 1.5-inch cubes. Chuck roast is the best choice for its marbling and tenderness.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons, for searing the beef.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, for seasoning the beef.
- Yellow Onion: 1 large, chopped.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
- Mushrooms: 8 ounces, cremini or white button, sliced.
For the Savory Gravy
- Beef Broth: 2 cups, low-sodium.
- Dry Onion Soup Mix: 1-ounce packet. This is a secret weapon for amazing flavor!
- Worcestershire Sauce: 2 tablespoons.
- Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon, low-sodium.
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons, mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry.
How to Make The Best Crockpot Beef Tips
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious and tender beef tips. A few minutes of prep in the morning is all it takes for a perfect dinner tonight.
Step 1: Sear the Beef (The Secret to Deep Flavor!)
Pat the beef cubes dry with a paper towel and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until a deep brown crust forms. Transfer the seared beef to your crockpot.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, until the onions have softened and the mushrooms have released their moisture. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with a splash of beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Pour the entire mixture into the crockpot.
Step 3: Combine and Slow Cook
Add the remaining beef broth, dry onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce to the crockpot. Stir everything together until well combined. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
Step 4: Thicken the Gravy
About 30 minutes before serving, whisk the cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the crockpot and stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for the remaining 30 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
Tips for the Most Tender Beef Tips
- Don’t Skip the Sear: Searing the beef creates a deep, rich flavor base through the Maillard reaction. It’s a crucial step for a savory, complex gravy.
- Low and Slow is Key: For the most tender results, always opt for the low and slow cooking method. Cooking on LOW for 6-8 hours allows the connective tissues in the beef to break down completely.
- Choose the Right Cut: A well-marbled chuck roast is the best choice for beef tips. The fat renders down during cooking, making the meat incredibly moist and tender. Avoid leaner cuts, as they can become dry. For another easy weeknight meal, try our Hearty Tater Tot Casserole.
What to Serve with Beef Tips
These Crockpot Beef Tips are fantastic served over a variety of bases that can soak up all that delicious gravy. Our favorites include creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy egg noodles, or simple white rice. For a lower-carb option, they are excellent over cauliflower mash. Add a side of green beans or Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts for a complete meal.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add Red Wine: For an even deeper flavor, deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup of dry red wine (like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon) before adding the beef broth.
- Introduce Different Veggies: Feel free to add carrots or celery along with the onions for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Make it Creamy: For a creamy gravy, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is safe to put raw beef in a slow cooker. The appliance cooks food at a low, steady temperature that is sufficient to kill any harmful bacteria. However, for the best flavor and texture in this recipe, searing the beef first is highly recommended.
While you can technically skip this step, we highly recommend it. Searing the beef before adding it to the crockpot creates a deep, caramelized flavor through the Maillard reaction that you won’t get otherwise. It adds a wonderful richness to both the meat and the gravy.
The easiest way to thicken the gravy is by using a cornstarch slurry. Simply mix equal parts cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth, then stir it into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will give you a thick, luscious gravy without any lumps.
To enhance the flavor, you can add a splash of dry red wine to the skillet after sautéing the onions, a bay leaf to the crockpot during cooking, or a tablespoon of tomato paste with the aromatics. A dash of balsamic vinegar at the end can also brighten the flavors.
The best cut of meat is a boneless chuck roast. It has excellent marbling, which breaks down during the long cooking time, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful beef. You can also use sirloin tips or top round, but chuck roast will give you the best texture.
Storing and Reheating
Store any leftover beef tips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat them gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave. The gravy may thicken in the fridge, but it will loosen up as it warms.
More Cozy Crockpot Recipes To Love
If you love the ease of this dish, you’ll adore our Creamy Crock Pot Potato Soup or the fan-favorite Mississippi Pot Roast.
Crockpot Beef Tips Recipe
Crockpot Beef Tips (So Tender and Juicy!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the beef cubes dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef in a single layer until a deep brown crust forms, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer beef to the crockpot.
- In the same skillet, add the onion and mushrooms and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Deglaze the pan with a splash of beef broth, scraping up any browned bits. Pour the mixture into the crockpot.
- Add the remaining beef broth, dry onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce to the crockpot. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until beef is tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the crockpot. Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
- Serve the Crockpot Beef Tips hot over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
Notes
Low and Slow is Best: For the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, cooking on low is highly recommended.
Beef Choice: Chuck roast is the ideal cut for this recipe due to its marbling, which ensures a tender and juicy result.
Share Your Creation!
We know you’ll love these Crockpot Beef Tips as much as we do. If you make this recipe, we’d be thrilled to see it! Please leave a comment below or share a photo of your dish on Pinterest. Your feedback helps our community of home cooks grow!
