There are some meals that just wrap you up in a warm hug, and this is absolutely one of them. Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy is the quintessential American comfort food—a hearty, savory dish that instantly takes you back to Sunday dinners and cozy family gatherings. It’s the kind of meal that demands a generous serving of mashed potatoes or a mound of rice to soak up every last drop of that incredible gravy.
The problem with traditional beef tips, however, is achieving that true, fall-apart tender quality without hours of stovetop simmering and constant babysitting. That’s where the slow cooker becomes your secret weapon. By using a tougher, inexpensive cut of beef and cooking it low and slow all day, the connective tissues break down perfectly, leaving you with beef tips so soft you can cut them with a fork.
This recipe simplifies the classic method into a seamless, dump-and-go process, yet it still manages to deliver a gravy that is rich, deeply flavorful, and beautifully velvety. We’ve included a simple trick to thicken the gravy right at the end, ensuring it’s not watery but has that perfect, glossy consistency you crave. Get ready for a foolproof, incredibly satisfying dinner that will be requested again and again!
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Beef Tips and Gravy
This recipe is designed for maximum comfort and minimal kitchen time, making it a perfect slow cooker recipe for busy weeknights.
You will find this dish offers unbeatable tenderness. The slow, moist heat of the crockpot is the absolute best way to break down the beef, guaranteeing that every piece is melt-in-your-mouth tender. This is the difference between a tough, chewy dish and one that is effortlessly delicious.
The star of the show is the rich, velvety gravy. The juices from the beef and the rich beef broth blend with the seasonings all day. By adding a simple thickening agent (a cornstarch slurry or a cream of mushroom soup addition) at the end, we create a thick, luscious gravy that coats everything beautifully.
This recipe uses simple ingredients, but delivers deep flavor. You don’t need fancy components for this dish. Just common pantry ingredients combined with a great cut of beef create a complex, savory depth that tastes like it simmered for days. Furthermore, this is a complete meal. The dish is versatile enough to pair with simple sides. It’s the perfect savory canvas for creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy white rice, or even hearty egg noodles. Finally, the minimal active prep is a huge bonus. Just ten minutes of hands-on time is all you need. Once the beef is seasoned and nestled into the crockpot with the liquid, your job is done until dinnertime.
Key Ingredients for Tender Beef and Rich Gravy
Choosing the right cut of beef and the right base liquid are essential for achieving that classic Beef Tips and Gravy flavor and texture.
For the protein, the absolute star is beef. You can use affordable cuts like stew meat, chuck roast, or sirloin tips. If you have the choice, chuck roast melts down the best, infusing the gravy with maximum richness. The main braising liquid is beef broth, but for true depth, use low-sodium broth combined with a packet of brown gravy mix. This mix adds intense salt and savory complexity. For an essential layer of savory, fermented flavor, you must include Worcestershire sauce—it adds a crucial umami note that elevates the gravy considerably.
The onion soup mix is often considered the secret ingredient. A dry packet adds intense savory flavor, salt, and thickness without the need for additional spices. If you love an earthy flavor, adding sliced mushrooms is optional but highly recommended, as they lend a deeper, umami quality to the gravy. Finally, we rely on cornstarch or flour as the thickening agent, which is used at the end to quickly turn the thin cooking liquid into a rich, velvety gravy.
When selecting your meat, remember the Ingredient Spotlight: Cut of Beef. For this recipe, Chuck Roast cut into one-inch pieces is the ideal choice. While often labeled “tough,” its high fat and connective tissue content is exactly what you want for the slow cooker. That tissue breaks down into gelatin, infusing the gravy with richness and ensuring the beef is ultra-tender when you serve it.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating the Velvety Gravy
Follow these steps for fall-apart beef tips and a perfectly thickened, glossy gravy.
Prep the Beef: Start by patting your cubed beef tips (stew meat or chuck roast) dry with a paper towel. This helps them retain a better texture. Season the beef lightly all over with salt and pepper.
The Dump: Place the seasoned beef tips directly into the bottom of your six-quart slow cooker. If you are using sliced onions and mushrooms, scatter those over the beef next.
The Liquid Base: This is where the flavor comes together. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, the Worcestershire sauce, and the contents of the onion soup mix or brown gravy mix packets until well combined. Pour this liquid evenly over the beef in the slow cooker.
Set and Cook: Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for seven to nine hours or on HIGH for four to five hours. The beef is done when it is absolutely fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
The Velvety Finish (Thickening): This is the crucial step to make the gravy perfect! About 20 minutes before you plan to serve, mix a slurry: combine three tablespoons of cornstarch (or flour) with one-quarter cup of cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour this slurry into the hot slow cooker and stir well to incorporate it evenly into the liquid.
Simmer and Serve: Put the lid back on and continue to cook the mixture for another 15 to 20 minutes on HIGH. The heat will activate the cornstarch, and the liquid will quickly transform into a thick, glossy, velvety gravy. Give the finished gravy one final taste and adjust the seasoning (salt and pepper) if needed. Serve the Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy generously over your favorite side dish.
Variations & Serving Ideas
This classic comfort dish is amazing on its own, but these variations offer flexibility and a fun twist!
When deciding on Serving Suggestions (The Perfect Vehicle), you have great options. For classic comfort, serve the tips over large dollops of homemade creamy mashed potatoes. For a hearty starch, serve over wide egg noodles, which soak up the gravy beautifully, or fluffy white rice. If you prefer a low-carb option, serve the tips over cauliflower rice or alongside steamed green beans to soak up the excess gravy. For a fun, edible presentation, serve the entire mixture ladled into a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl.
There are also great Recipe Variations to try. For The Cream of Mushroom Method, for a quick, deeply flavorful gravy, omit the cornstarch slurry and half the beef broth. Instead, stir in one can of condensed cream of mushroom soup during the final 30 minutes of cooking. This provides instant thickness and a wonderful umami flavor. To add complexity, you can add wine by replacing half a cup of the beef broth with half a cup of dry red wine (like Cabernet or Merlot) before cooking. You can also add vegetables by stirring in one cup of frozen peas and half a cup of baby carrots during the last hour of cooking for extra color and nutrition.
As a final Pro Tip for Extra Flavor, if you have 10 extra minutes, sear the cubed beef in a hot skillet with oil until browned on all sides before adding it to the slow cooker. This caramelization (the Maillard reaction) adds an unparalleled depth of flavor to the entire dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers address common concerns about achieving perfect texture in the gravy and beef.
Can I use flour instead of cornstarch to thicken the gravy? Yes, you can! Mix the flour with cold water or a small amount of melted butter to create a slurry or roux, then stir it in at the end. However, cornstarch creates a clearer, glossier, and more velvety gravy than flour, which can sometimes result in a cloudy look.
Why are my beef tips still tough after six hours? This usually means the beef hasn’t had enough time. Tough cuts like chuck roast get tougher before they get tender. Give it a few more hours on LOW. Once the connective tissues finally break down, they will become perfectly tender quickly. Don’t rush the process!
Can I make this a freezer meal? Absolutely. To prepare a freezer meal, simply combine the seasoned raw beef tips, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth in a freezer bag. Freeze flat for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then dump the contents into the slow cooker and cook as directed. Remember to add the cornstarch slurry at the very end.
Can I skip the brown gravy mix or onion soup mix? You can, but you will need to add more seasoning. Replace the mixes with two tablespoons of dried onion flakes, one teaspoon of garlic powder, one tablespoon of Italian seasoning, and one teaspoon of smoked paprika, and increase the salt to taste, as the packets provide significant seasoning.
Conclusion: Your New Sunday Dinner Favorite
This Ultimate Tender Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Velvety Gravy is proof that the best comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, it’s the ideal way to serve a hearty, impressive dinner that guarantees clean plates and happy stomachs. The fork-tender beef and that rich, luscious gravy are truly irresistible.
It’s time to settle into a cozy night! If you make this simple recipe, please leave a star rating and comment below to let me know which side dish you served your beef tips over. And, please PIN this recipe to your Comfort Food or Easy Dinner board right now so you can find this savory classic whenever you need it!
Happy Slow Cooking!
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
Equipment
- slow cooker
- mixing bowl
- measuring cups and spoons
- whisk
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces (or stew meat or sirloin tips)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 packet onion soup mix OR brown gravy mix
- 2 cups beef broth (low sodium recommended)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 onion, sliced (optional)
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 3 tbsp cornstarch (or flour)
- 0.25 cup cold water
Instructions
- Pat beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Place the cubed beef into the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Add sliced onions and mushrooms on top if using.
- Whisk beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and the onion soup mix or gravy mix until smooth. Pour evenly over the beef.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7–9 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until beef is fall-apart tender.
- Mix cornstarch with cold water to form a smooth slurry. Stir into the slow cooker 20 minutes before serving.
- Turn heat to HIGH and cook 15–20 minutes until gravy becomes thick, glossy, and velvety. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.