Easy Beef Tips & Gravy - Crockpot, Instant Pot & More

This crock pot beef tips and gravy is super quick. And it's great meal the entire family is gonna love! You'll not have leftovers of this yumminess... so if you want to freeze some for later, you might want to double it.  Oh, and btw...it makes a great dump-and-go freezer meal too.

So, it works as a 2-minute dump and go recipe, you can freeze the leftovers (if there are any) and you can freeze it beforehand for a quick and easy emergency meal too.  Winner the whole way around with this one!

Prep Directions for Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy

There's no magic, no bells or whistles, or anything difficult about this recipe.  What you see is what you need.  NO extra water, milk, or anything else.  You CAN add a little water or beef broth if you're going to be gone longer than 6 to 8 hours but it isn't necessary.

Also, you can use any sort of beef.  I caught chuck roast on sale.  It was rather rough and I wouldn't have wanted to cook it any other way but in the crockpot.  But then again, that's one of the things that slow cookers are excellent for...cooking cheaper cuts of meat.

It seems no matter how rough a chunk of meat is, the slow cooker can turn it into super tender deliciousness.  But also, be forewarned...if you get a super cheap cut (like I did above) you may have to cook it longer than 8 hours.

I think it took about 9 1/2 hours for this cut to cook to the point I was happy with it.  I only lifted the lid once (so there wasn't a lot of chance for the moisture to evaporate) and I did not add any more liquid.  Nothing burned either, just FYI on all that.

Easy Beef Tips Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

This is the area we talk ingredients. And substitutions. Why? 'Cause not everyone likes or wants to use what everyone else does. Mostly.
Also, I do NOT like shopping. And a run to the grocery drives me nuts. So...I personally prefer to know a few subs.
Plus you can use what you have and/or can get on sale that way too.

Ingredients

• Beef - I used a beef chuck roast. It's a great choice for slow cooking and gets nice and tender with enough cooking time. You can use a larger roast and cut what you need into beef cubes, then save the rest for another meal. A pot roast, rump roast, or sirloin tip roast can work too. If you want something a little more tender from the start, try sirloin beef tips, sirloin tips, steak tips, or even tenderloin tips. A top sirloin roast can also be cut into bite-sized pieces for this recipe. Just remember that different cuts can take different amounts of time to get tender.
• Soups - I used cream of onion and golden mushroom soup for the gravy. You can swap one or both depending on what you have. A can of cream of mushroom soup subs great for golden mushroom. And cream of chicken can work too. Changing the soup will change the flavor of the gravy a bit.
• Onion Soup Mix - I used the regular dry onion soup mix. But the beefy onion soup mix will add more flavor here. You can use store-bought or make your own homemade onion soup mix. If you're out...you can just add some extra onion and seasonings. OR onion powder and garlic powder.
• Broth - Beef broth is my first choice. But chicken broth or vegetable broth will work if that's what you've got. You can also use beef stock for a richer flavor.

Optional Ingredients for Even More Flavor

The recipe works just fine as written, but there are plenty of ways to change up the flavor with whatever you've already got hanging around the kitchen. None of these are necessary. They're just optional ingredients if you want to play with it a little.

More Ingredient Ideas

• Garlic - Add a couple cloves of fresh garlic, fresh minced garlic, or a little garlic powder. Garlic is an easy way to add more flavor without changing the gravy much.
• Onion - Add a sliced yellow onion, red onion, or whatever kind you've got. You can also sauté the onions first if you want a little more depth of flavor.
• Mushrooms - Fresh mushrooms are an obvious addition since we're already using mushroom soup. Add them right along with the remaining ingredients.
• Worcestershire sauce - A splash adds a richer, savory flavor to the beef and gravy without making it taste like Worcestershire sauce.
• Red wine - A splash of red wine can add another layer of flavor to the gravy. Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir would both work. You don't need much.
• Herbs - A bay leaf, fresh rosemary, or other fresh herbs can change the flavor without adding much work. Just remember to remove the bay leaf before serving.
• Peppers - Bell peppers, green peppers, or even a few pepperoncini peppers can work if that's your thing. Add some red pepper flakes if you want a little heat instead.
• Gravy mix - If you want an even richer brown gravy, add a gravy packet or a little brown gravy mix. Just watch the salt since the soups and onion soup mix already contain plenty.
• Sour cream - Stir some in at the end of the cooking time for a creamier gravy. It'll take the recipe a little closer to beef stroganoff territory, which certainly isn't a bad thing.

You can add one of these or combine a couple. I wouldn't toss them all in there at once though. At some point we'd stop making beef tips and start cleaning out the refrigerator. 

Healthier Alternatives

If you have to watch your sodium intake, there are options for you on this recipe too.  You can see in the picture above that there is a Healthy Request version of the Golden Mushroom.  I don't think there's a low sodium version of the cream of onion BUT there is one for Cream of Celery. There's also one for Cheddar Cheese.  Either one would work in this recipe...and the cheesy one sounds really good to me right now :)

You can also make your own Onion Soup Mix.  All Recipes has a good one that would take too long to mix up.  You can also find a low-sodium and sometimes a sodium-free version at many health food stores.  If you can't find it that route, there are a few options on Amazon.  This one has the best ratings.

How to Make Beef Tips Tender

The best way to make beef tips tender depends a little on the cut of meat you're using. A tougher cut of beef has more connective tissue that needs a long cooking time at low heat to break down. That's one reason the crockpot works so well for this recipe.

Don't assume your beef tips are done just because they've reached a certain cooking time. If the pieces of beef are still tough, they probably need more time. Keep cooking them until they're fork tender. Like I mentioned above, I've had tougher cuts take 9 1/2 hours before I was happy with them.

If you're using a more tender cut, your cooking time can be shorter. Sirloin and other tender cuts don't need nearly as much time as chuck or other stew beef. That's also why cooking times can vary quite a bit from one batch of beef tips to another.

And don't keep lifting the crockpot lid to check them. Every time you do, you're letting heat escape and adding more time. Check toward the end of the cooking time, and if the meat isn't tender yet, put the lid back on and give it a little extra time.

Step-by-Step Recipe Steps

There are several ways to make this beef tips recipe. The crockpot is still my favorite way, especially if you're using a tougher cut of meat. But you can make these beef tips and gravy in the Instant Pot, on the stove top, or in the oven too.

The cooking method you choose will depend on how much time you have and the cut of beef you're using. Just remember that cooking times can vary. No matter which method you use, you want tender chunks of beef and plenty of flavorful gravy when you're done.

Crockpot Beef Tips and Gravy

This is definitely the easiest method and takes very little prep. It's also one of my favorite ways to turn a tough cut of beef into tender beef tips.

1. Spray your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or lightly oil it.
2. Cut your roast into bite-sized pieces if you aren't using stew beef or already-cut beef tips.
3. Add the beef, golden mushroom soup, cream of onion soup, onion soup mix, and beef broth to the slow cooker.
4. Give everything a good stir, cover, and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.
5. Check the meat toward the end of the cooking time. If it isn't fork tender, cover it again and give it a little extra time. Tougher cuts may need longer.
6. Stir the gravy before serving. If it's thicker than you like, add a splash of beef broth until it's the consistency you want.

That's it. You've got crockpot beef tips with a rich mushroom gravy and almost no work.

Instant Pot Beef Tips

Instant Pot beef tips are a great option when you don't have 6 to 8 hours to wait on the slow cooker. You will need the beef broth for this cooking method so your electric pressure cooker has enough liquid to come to pressure.

1. Add the pieces of beef to the bottom of the pot.
2. Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the beef and pour in the beef broth.
3. Spoon the cream soups over the top. Do not stir.
4. Close the lid, make sure the valve is in the sealing position, and pressure cook on HIGH for 10 minutes.
5. Let the Instant Pot do a natural pressure release for 5 minutes. Then carefully release the remaining pressure.
6. Open the lid and give everything a good stir. If you want a thicker gravy, you can add a cornstarch slurry after pressure cooking.

Optional: Brown the Beef First

If you've got an extra couple of minutes, you can use the sauté function on your Instant Pot to brown the beef first. Add a little oil, turn on the sauté setting, and work in batches if needed so the pieces of beef aren't crowded together. Give them a quick sear until you've got some browned beef and a little color on the outside.

You don't have to do this. The beef tips will cook just fine without it. But browning creates those tasty brown bits on the bottom of the pot and adds a little more depth of flavor to the finished gravy.

When you're done browning, pour in the beef broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape those browned bits from the bottom of the pot before adding the remaining ingredients. This gives you more flavor and also makes sure there's nothing stuck to the bottom before you pressure cook.

Sautéed Beef Tips on the Stove Top

For sautéed beef tips, I like using a large skillet or cast iron skillet. Unlike the slow cooker version, this cooking method starts with a quick sear to brown the pieces of beef.

1. Melt a little butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the beef and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. You're looking for browned beef on the outside, not trying to cook it all the way through yet.
3. Turn the burner down and add the beef broth and onion soup mix. Stir everything together, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 12 to 15 minutes.
5. Turn the heat to LOW. Add the cream soups and stir until everything is combined.
6. Cover again and cook on low heat for at least 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Check the beef for tenderness and give it a little extra time if necessary. Then stir the gravy and serve.

The stovetop method is especially handy for busy nights when you want homemade beef tips but didn't get the slow cooker started earlier in the day.

Tips for Getting a Good Sear on Beef Tips

If you decide to sear the beef first, a couple little things can give you better results. Pat the steak pieces dry with paper towels before they go into the pan. Getting rid of that excess moisture helps the outside brown instead of steam.

Get your skillet good and hot before adding the beef. You can use olive oil, but avocado oil is another good option because it has a high smoke point and handles higher temperatures well. Add just enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of your hot skillet.

Add the cubes of steak in a single layer and leave some room between them. The size of your skillet matters here. If it's crowded, work in batches. You're looking for a quick steak sear and some good color on the outside, not cooked steak all the way through.

And if you want a little extra flavor, add some unsalted butter after the beef has browned. If you're adding fresh garlic too, wait until you've turned the heat down a bit. Garlic burns pretty darn fast in a screaming hot skillet.

How to Cook Beef Tips in the Oven

You can make beef tips and gravy in the oven too. This is the one method that isn't currently in your recipe card, so I'd use these as the oven adaptation rather than presenting them as your existing tested directions.

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Add the bite-sized pieces of beef to a lightly greased casserole dish or Dutch oven.
3. Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the beef. Add the cream soups and beef broth and stir everything together.
4. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. If you're using a Dutch oven, cover it with the lid.
5. Bake for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours, checking the beef for tenderness toward the end of the cooking time.
6. If the beef isn't fork tender yet, cover it again and continue cooking until it is.
7. Give the beef tips and gravy a good stir before serving. Add a splash of beef broth if the gravy is thicker than you'd like.

A tougher cut of meat may take a little longer, while more tender cuts of beef can be ready sooner. The important part is cooking until the beef is tender rather than pulling it out of the oven just because the clock says it's done.

Freezer Meals Prep for Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Boy, this is a rough one.  Ready?  Dump it all in a bag, label it, and freeze.  Really, that's it.  There's no other prep work unless you decide to add veggies.  And just about any vegetable, you can think of works with this recipe...so if you want, give it a shot.

I've personally tried broccoli, onions, mushrooms, and a peas & carrots combo.  All of them turned out well.  Just make sure if you use the broccoli to do it like the freezer meal directions on our Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli.  If you don't your broccoli will disintegrate.  And if that happens it's still edible but a bit odd.

Also, I gotta tell you...for anything concerning a freezer bag and food.  These baggie holders ROCK!  They work for quart and gallon baggies both.  They sorta "zip" up and down to hold either size.  Also, the fold flat for storage so you don't have a bulky something to store.  They are quite literally like having an extra set of hands in the kitchen...and again, they ROCK!

I didn't buy these until last year.  I'd looked at them quite a lot longer but they are awesome, super handy, and not expensive at all.  They were when I purchased them.  And there was only one option then too.  Which is exactly why I held off.  Now you have lots of options.

Recipe

Dinner Ideas With Beef Tips

Beef tips and gravy are one of those comfort food recipes that can go with just about anything. And since we've already got plenty of gravy, I usually serve them over something that'll soak up all that goodness.

Here are a few dinner ideas with beef tips:

• Mashed potatoes - Probably my favorite way to serve them. Creamy mashed potatoes and that rich gravy just belong together.
• Rice - White rice or brown rice both work. And rice is a great option if you want something you can make ahead and have ready for a busy weeknight.
• Egg noodles - Spoon the beef tips and gravy right over hot egg noodles for an easy family dinner.
• Bread or rolls - Sometimes simple is best. A good dinner roll or piece of crusty bread works great for getting every last bit of gravy off the plate.
• Creamy polenta - If you want something a little different, beef tips and gravy work really well served over creamy polenta.
• Potatoes - They don't have to be mashed. Roasted or crispy potatoes work too, and sweet potatoes are another option.
• Vegetables - Green beans are an easy side dish, but broccoli, peas and carrots, or whatever vegetables your family likes will work.
• Fresh salad - A simple fresh salad is a good option if you want something lighter alongside the beef and gravy.

You can keep this meal as simple as beef tips over rice or mashed potatoes, or add a vegetable and bread and turn it into a complete meal. Either way, it's the kind of comforting dinner that works just as well for a busy night of the week as it does for Sunday dinner.

Easy 3 Ingredient Beef Tips

If you want to make this recipe even easier, you can. These 3 ingredient beef tips are basically the stripped-down version of the original recipe.

You'll need beef, golden mushroom soup, and onion soup mix. That's it.

The golden mushroom soup gives you both moisture and gravy, while the onion soup mix adds most of the extra flavor. So we're simply leaving out the cream of onion soup and beef broth from the original 5-ingredient recipe.

For the crockpot, add everything to your slow cooker, give it a stir, cover, and cook on LOW until the beef is fork tender. Depending on the cut of beef you use, that'll usually take about 6 to 8 hours. Tougher cuts may need a little extra time.

If the gravy gets thicker than you'd like, you can always add a splash of beef broth toward the end. Of course, that technically makes it four ingredients. But I'm pretty sure the recipe police aren't coming. 😂

This is also a good way to use whatever beef you find on sale. Stew beef, beef cubes, or a chuck roast cut into bite-sized pieces will all work. Just remember that a tougher cut of meat may need a longer cooking time to get nice and tender.

Recipe

Storing and Reheating Leftover Beef Tips

If you actually have leftovers, beef tips and gravy are easy to save for another meal. And honestly, they're pretty darn good the next day after all that flavor has had even more time together.

Let the beef tips cool, then transfer them and all that delicious gravy to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

You can reheat a single serving in the microwave or warm larger portions in a skillet or saucepan over low heat. The gravy will usually thicken quite a bit in the refrigerator, so add a splash of beef broth if you need to thin it back down. Stir occasionally and heat until everything is hot.

Cooked beef tips can be frozen too. Let everything cool completely, portion the beef and gravy into freezer-safe containers or bags, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat over low heat. If the gravy separates a little after freezing, don't panic. Give it a good stir as it warms and add a splash of broth if needed.

Wrappin' Up Beef Tips & Gravy

And there you have it...another delicious recipe that's an easy meal and perfect for your next busy day. 

But the best part? It's a delicious meal that'll be on the family favorite list after one bite. And pssst...simple ingredients and less than 5 minutes too!

Holler if you've questions. Enjoy. Now go rock your crock!