If you’re craving a meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day, this Easy Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe is exactly what you need. Tender, juicy beef simmered slowly in a rich mushroom gravy creates a luscious comfort food experience that’s simple to prepare and perfect for family dinners. With minimal effort and pantry staples, you’ll have a cozy, hearty dish that impresses without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward, accessible ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in building depth of flavor and that luscious texture you’ll want to come back to again and again.
- 2 lbs beef stew meat: The star of the dish, providing tenderness and heartiness once slow-cooked.
- 10.75 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup: Adds creamy richness and a savory mushroom undertone.
- 0.88 oz packet brown gravy mix: Boosts the gravy’s flavor with deep, meaty notes—packets slightly varying up to 1 oz work fine too.
- 1 cup beef broth: Keeps the beef moist while enhancing the broth’s savory depth.
- 1 small onion (diced, about 1/3 cup): Offers subtle sweetness and texture contrast.
- 1-2 cloves of garlic (minced): Lends a fragrant punch of flavor that complements the beef perfectly.
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 Tablespoon water): Essential for thickening the gravy to that perfect velvety consistency. (Alternatively, use 2 Tbsp flour mixed with 1/4 cup water.)
- Optional: Egg noodles or mashed potatoes: Ideal companions that soak up all the delicious gravy.
How to Make Easy Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Gravy Mixture
Start by whisking together the cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy mix, beef broth, diced onion, and minced garlic in a medium bowl. Don’t worry if the mixture looks a little lumpy—that will smooth out over the slow cooking process. This blend forms the base of your luscious gravy, infusing every bite with savory comfort.
Step 2: Combine Beef and Gravy in the Crockpot
Place the beef stew meat into your 4-quart crockpot. Pour the gravy mixture over the beef, then gently stir to coat the meat evenly. This step ensures every piece of beef will soak up that delicious gravy flavor as it cooks low and slow for 7 hours on LOW. Slow cooking tenderizes the meat beautifully, making it melt-in-your-mouth good.
Step 3: Thicken the Gravy
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the beef with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Stir the cornstarch and water mixture into the crockpot and then return the beef. Cook uncovered for another 5 minutes, allowing the gravy to thicken into that perfect, silky sauce you’ll want to drizzle generously over your plate.
How to Serve Easy Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe
Garnishes
To brighten this rich dish, a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh herbal note. For an extra touch, a few cracked black peppercorns or a dash of smoked paprika can elevate the flavor even further, making it feel just a bit more special.
Side Dishes
Classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes or tender egg noodles are perfect for soaking up every drop of that luscious gravy. If you want some greens, steamed broccoli or roasted carrots add a vibrant texture and balance the plate beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the beef tips over buttery garlic mashed cauliflower for a low-carb twist or pile them atop toasted thick bread slices to create open-faced “beef tip melts” with melted cheese. For a dramatic touch, present it family-style right from the crockpot and let everyone help themselves—comfort at its coziest.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe tastes even better the next day. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, giving the flavors more time to mingle and intensify.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully, making it a perfect make-ahead meal. Cool completely, then pack into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-top bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure the gravy stays smooth and the beef remains tender. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the gravy thickened too much during storage.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this Easy Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe?
Absolutely! While stew meat is ideal for slow cooking, chuck roast cut into chunks or sirloin tips also work wonderfully. Just be sure to cut the pieces into uniform sizes for even cooking.
Is it necessary to use cream of mushroom soup?
The cream of mushroom soup adds richness and helps create the smooth gravy, but if you prefer, you can substitute with cream of celery or cream of chicken soup for a slight variation in flavor.
Can I make this dish in an Instant Pot instead of a crockpot?
Yes! Use the sauté function to brown the beef briefly, then pressure cook on high for about 35 minutes. Finish by thickening the gravy with the cornstarch slurry just as you would with the crockpot method.
How do I adjust the recipe for a larger group?
Simply multiply the ingredients to match the number of servings needed, but be mindful of your crockpot’s capacity. You may need to cook in batches to ensure even cooking.
What are some low-carb side options for this recipe?
Cauliflower mash, sautéed spinach, or roasted Brussels sprouts make excellent low-carb sides that complement the rich flavors of the beef tips and gravy perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go-to comfort meals. It’s the kind of dish that feels special yet requires minimal effort, making it ideal for busy days or cozy weekend dinners at home. Give it a try—you might just find your new ultimate family favorite.
Print
Easy Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours 5 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy recipe is a comforting and hearty slow-cooked dish featuring tender beef stew meat simmered in a rich mushroom gravy. Perfect for a cozy family meal, it pairs wonderfully with egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat
- 10.75 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 0.88 oz packet brown gravy mix
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 small onion, diced (about 1/3 cup)
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 Tablespoon water (or 2 Tablespoons flour with 1/4 cup water)
Optional Serving Suggestions
- Egg noodles, cooked
- Mashed potatoes, prepared
Instructions
- Prepare the Gravy Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy mix, beef broth, diced onion, and minced garlic. Whisk together until mostly smooth; some lumps are fine as they will dissolve during cooking.
- Layer Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the beef stew meat into a 4-quart crockpot. Pour the prepared gravy mixture over the beef, then gently stir to ensure the meat is coated evenly.
- Slow Cook the Beef: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW heat setting for 7 hours. This allows the beef to become tender and absorb the flavors of the gravy.
- Thicken the Gravy: After 7 hours, remove the beef pieces using a slotted spoon and set aside. Stir the cornstarch and water mixture into the crockpot and mix well. Return the beef to the crockpot, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes to thicken the gravy.
- Serve: Spoon the beef tips and thickened gravy over prepared egg noodles or mashed potatoes to enjoy a warm, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use a 4-quart crockpot for best results; adjust cooking time slightly if using a smaller or larger slow cooker.
- If you don’t have cornstarch, use flour as an alternative thickening agent mixed with water.
- For a gluten-free version, choose gluten-free gravy mix and ensure cream of mushroom soup is gluten-free.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Adding vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers can enhance this dish if desired.
