Slow Cooker Foodie

Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy

Easy slow cooker beef tips and gravy recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Tender, juicy beef is smothered in rich and flavorful gravy.

This tasty comfort food will take you back to the feeling of home. Warm and juicy, it really hits the spot and adds to a hearty meal at the family table. I also love these other beef recipes for nice Sunday dinners and even weekday meals, because they are so quick and easy: Slow Cooker Beef Stew and Slow Cooker Shredded Beef (BBQ Pulled Beef)

Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Served in White and Black Checkered Plate

How to make slow cooker beef tips and gravy recipe? 

  1. Brown meat- With salt and pepper.
  2. Deglaze pot- With red wine.
  3. Sauté ingredients– This includes onion, garlic.
  4. Add ingredients to crockpot- This includes browned meat, sauteed veggies, broth, onion soup mix, brown gravy mix, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, potatoes.
  5. Cover- And cook.
  6. Add cornstarch slurry- To thicken sauce.

What to serve with beef tips?

Vegetables-

You can omit the potatoes in this recipe and add in a potato (or sweet potato) dish on the side instead-

Bread-

  • Biscuits
  • French bread
  • Hard rolls
  • Crusty/Artisan bread
  • Baguette
  • Garlic bread

What cut of meat is beef tips?

I use stew meat for this recipe, because once it cooks slow and low, it becomes very tender and delicious. However, you can also use sirloin, triple-tip, flank.

How do you tenderize beef tips?

Use “low and slow” method of cooking. By using a low temperature over a long period of time, you get a more tender beef and allow all the tissues to break down.

Easy Beef and Gravy- Closeup Shot

Variations for beef and gravy

Beef tips and rice- Switch things up a bit! Instead of making this recipe with potatoes, mix in cooked rice at the end.

Beef tips and noodles- You can also substitute potatoes for your favorite cooked noodles. Make sure to mix them in at the end. Adding them in the beginning will over-cook them.

Add other vegetables- Such as carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, broccoli or anything else you like.

Make it spicy- Mix in some dried red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper.

Beef tip curry- Add curry powder and and enjoy with steamed basmati rice for a delicious Indian meal.

Tips and Techniques

How to thicken gravy? Use a cornstarch slurry by dissolving cornstarch with water and adding it to the pot, and letting it cook for a few more minutes.

How to make gravy thinner?– Add more water or broth and thin to your desired consistency.

Don’t use the whole packet of brown gravy mix- Because it is simply too much and makes the meal too salty with all that sodium.

Must use DRY mixes- Use dry onion soup mix and gravy mix. These cannot be replaced with prepared gravy or cream of onions, or cream of mushrooms because that will change the consistency and ruin the balance.

Red wine substitute– If you don’t have red wine or prefer not to use it in your cooking, broth can also be used for deglazing.

Cooking time may vary- Depending on what type of meat you choose and how big the cut. Timing can also depends on how well your crockpot seals.

Use low sodium broth– Otherwise your meal will very salty and inedible.

You must brown meat- Because it helps seal in the flavor and also gives a nice overall appetizing appearance.

You must sauté onions and garlic– Because it creates a more flavorful meal and gets rid of the raw garlic smell.

Storage

Fridge- Store in an airtight container and use within 3 days.

Freezer- Cool meat, put in sealed container and use within 1 month.

Reheat– In microwave or stovetop. You may need to add a splash of water, if it’s too thick.

More slow cooker beef recipes

Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Easy slow cooker beef tips and gravy recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Tender, juicy beef is smothered in rich and flavorful gravy.
Yield: 4 People

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp Oil, Divided
  • 2 pounds Stew meat
  • Salt, To taste
  • Pepper, To taste
  • 1 cup Onion, Finely chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic , Finely minced
  • 1/4 cup Red wine
  • 2- 3 cups Beef broth, Low sodium, Start with 2 cups and only add more if potatoes are looking dry
  • 1 packet Dry onion soup mix, 2 oz. packet
  • 2 tsp Dry brown gravy mix, Don't use the whole packet
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 2 cups Potatoes, Optional, Can be omitted completely, Washed, Diced into big 2 inch chunks or quartered
  • 1-2 tbsp Cornstarch, Dissolved in 1-2 tbsp water

Instructions 

  • Heat half the oil in a large nonstick pot over medium-high heat.
  • Add meat and sprinkle salt and pepper.
  • Saute for a few minutes until meat is browned on all sides.
  • Transfer the meat to a large crockpot (6 quart or larger).
  • Add red wine to deglaze the pot. Be sure to scrape all the brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.
  • Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker too.
  • Add remaining oil, onion, garlic in the nonstick pot and saute for a few seconds until garlic is fragrant.
  • Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker too.
  • Add broth, onion soup mix, brown gravy mix, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, potatoes and mix until combined.
  • Cover and cook on Low heat for 5-6 hours or High heat for 3-4 hours or until meat is cooked through and potatoes are tender.
  • In the final 30 minutes of cooking, mix in cornstarch slurry gently so as to not break the potatoes and continue cooking uncovered until sauce is slightly thickened.
  • Discard bay leaf and garnish with roughly chopped fresh parsley (if you like). Enjoy!

Notes

  • Read all my tips above.
  • Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave. 

Nutrition

Calories: 643kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 64g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 14g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 141mg, Sodium: 1093mg, Potassium: 1408mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 10IU, Vitamin C: 25mg, Calcium: 89mg, Iron: 6mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 643
Author: Abeer Rizvi

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