This crock pot beef tips and gravy is super quick and super delish too! 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!
Simple Tasty Crockpot Beef Tips
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 for $2.95 a pound. 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.
Cheap Tasty Beef Tips In The Crock Pot
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
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
5 Minute Beef Tips And Gravy
Freezer Meal 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
5-Ingredient Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat or 2 pounds beef roast diced
- 1 can(s) golden mushroom soup (10.5 oz each)
- 1 can(s) cream of onion (10.5 each)
- 1 packet(s) onion soup mix
- 1 cup(s) beef broth
Instructions
Crockpot Method
- Combine all the ingredients in an oiled slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Stir and add a bit more beef broth if it's too thick for your taste.
- Serve over pasta, rice, or bread.
Instant Pot Method
- Add ingredients in the following order: beef, soup mix, broth, soups. Do not stir.
- Manual high 10 minutes. Natural release 5 minutes, then quick release.
- Stir and serve as desired.
Stovetop Method
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add beef and saute 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Turn burner to low and add 1/2 cup beef broth and onion soup mix. Stir.
- Cover and cook on medium-low for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Turn burner to low, add cream soups and stir well. Cover and cook on low for at least 8 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Serve over rice, rolls, or pasta of choice.
Freezer Meal Prep
- Add ingredients to a 1-gallon freezer bag in the following order: meat, soup mix, soups.
- Make a note on your label that you'll need 1 cup of beef broth when cooking.
- Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
- Freezer to Slow Cooker: Pour ingredients into the slow cooker. Add about 1/2 cup beef broth. Cook as directed. If cooking from frozen, add 1 to 1 1/2 hours to cook time.
- Freezer to Instant Pot: Cut bottom out of the bag. Pour into the instant pot. Pour 1 cup beef broth around ingredients. Cook as directed for Instant Pot method.
Notes
I see most freezer/crockpot meals done using ziplock bags. I use the Reynolds slow cooker liners and all I have to do is place it in the crockpot and there’s very little cleanup of the pot afterwards. Works like a charm. It’s easy to fill using a bowl as a holder. I’m not sure if they’re meant for the freezer, but I’ve never had a problem.
That's a very good idea Crystal. Excellent idea. Thank you for sharing 🙂
What do you normally serve on the side of this dish?
Oh just about anything! You can serve it over rice or pasta. Or mashed potatoes OR even potato wedges.
Then on the side, we usually have green beans, peas & carrots, or something like that. Corn would be a good, comfort food type option as well.
Another great recipe - Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJs!
Thank you! I enjoyed it. Thanks for having me 🙂