This recipe for Crock Pot Beef Tips delivers an incredibly easy and deeply satisfying slow cooker meal. Crafted with just a handful of staple ingredients, it transforms simple beef into fork-tender perfection, swimming in a rich, thick, and flavorful gravy. Perfect for busy weeknights or comforting Sunday dinners, this “dump and go” recipe promises minimal effort with maximum flavor, making it an instant family favorite.
Effortlessly Tender Crock Pot Beef Tips: Your Ultimate Comfort Food!
There’s nothing quite like the magic of a slow cooker to bring a delicious, hearty meal to life with minimal fuss. Imagine starting your day by tossing a few ingredients into a pot, and returning home to the enticing aroma of a home-cooked dinner. These Crock Pot Beef Tips embody that very magic. They are designed for simplicity, allowing you to create an exceptionally tender beef dish bathed in a savory, thick gravy that’s guaranteed to warm the soul. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or new to the slow cooker world, this recipe is incredibly forgiving and easily adaptable to suit your family’s preferences. Serve it alongside some fluffy mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal that requires hardly any hands-on time.
“Followed exactly! Amazing flavor!! Talk about comfort food! Loved this recipe so much! Thank you!”
– Maria
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Absolutely! While the slow cooker provides unparalleled tenderness, you can achieve delicious results on the stovetop. Start by seasoning your beef tips generously with lemon pepper seasoning. Heat a touch of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef tips in batches to avoid overcrowding, which helps them develop a rich, flavorful crust. Remove the browned beef to a plate. In the same pot, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and dry onion soup mix until well combined. Return the beef tips to the pot, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender. For a thicker gravy, prepare a roux by whisking together melted butter and flour in a separate pan, then slowly incorporate it into the simmering beef tips sauce during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking, stirring until it reaches your desired consistency. Increase heat to medium-high briefly to help it thicken, then serve hot.
Yes, oven-baked beef tips are a fantastic option! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Season your beef tips with lemon pepper seasoning. Place the seasoned beef in a large oven-safe pot or baking dish. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and onion soup mix. Pour this creamy mixture evenly over the beef tips. Cover the pot tightly with a lid or aluminum foil to trap moisture, ensuring the beef remains tender. Bake on the middle rack for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. If you desire a thicker gravy, you can use the butter-flour mixture method described above (or in the full recipe instructions) and stir it into the hot sauce after removing the pot from the oven. For a slightly different take, you can also explore dedicated Oven Beef Tips recipes that might use different flavor profiles, offering variations without cream of mushroom or onion soup mix if preferred.
For slow-cooked beef tips, you’ll want a cut of meat that benefits from a long, slow cooking process, which breaks down tough connective tissues and results in incredible tenderness. Economical cuts like **chuck roast** or **round steak** are excellent choices because they become incredibly tender and flavorful when slow-cooked. Flat iron steak is another great option; it’s relatively inexpensive, boasts rich beefy flavor, and cooks up beautifully in the crock pot. While you can buy pre-cut “stew meat,” often labeled as beef tips, I find that cutting your own chuck roast into 1-inch cubes gives you more control over the size and ensures uniform tenderness. The key is to select a cut with good marbling, as the fat renders down during cooking, adding moisture and flavor.
The rich, savory gravy from these beef tips is practically a meal in itself, making them incredibly versatile for serving. My absolute favorite way to enjoy them is spooned generously over a bed of fluffy white rice, allowing every grain to soak up that delectable sauce. Other classic pairings include creamy Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes, which provide a luxurious base, or simple, buttery egg noodles. For a vegetable side, we absolutely adore these Maple Glazed Carrots, offering a touch of sweetness that complements the savory beef. Steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or even a fresh garden salad would also be excellent choices to round out the meal.
While it’s technically possible to cook beef tips on high heat in a slow cooker, it’s generally not recommended for optimal results, especially if you’re aiming for that signature melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Cooking on high heat rushes the process and can often result in beef that is less tender, and sometimes even dry, particularly with tougher cuts of meat like chuck roast. The beauty of a slow cooker is its ability to gently break down connective tissues over many hours, transforming them into succulent, fall-apart beef. For the most tender and flavorful beef tips, sticking to the “low and slow” method for the recommended 6-8 hours is truly the best approach.
For this Crock Pot Beef Tips recipe, a five or six-quart slow cooker is the perfect size. This capacity allows enough space for the beef to cook evenly in the sauce without being too crowded, ensuring consistent tenderness and flavor development. If your slow cooker is much smaller, you might need to halve the recipe; if it’s significantly larger, you may consider doubling the recipe to fill it adequately and prevent the ingredients from drying out.
Storing leftovers is simple and makes for quick future meals! Once cooled, transfer any remaining Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if the gravy has become too thick. Yes, this recipe also freezes beautifully! Portion the cooled beef tips and gravy into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. This makes it an excellent meal prep option for busy weeks!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Crafting these succulent beef tips requires a carefully selected list of ingredients that work in harmony to create a truly memorable dish. Each component plays a crucial role in developing the deep flavors and tender texture that define this comfort food classic.
Ingredient Spotlight:
- Beef Chuck Roast: This is the star of our dish. Chuck roast, with its good marbling and connective tissues, is perfect for slow cooking. The “low and slow” method tenderizes it beautifully, yielding incredibly soft, fall-apart beef. While chuck roast is highly recommended, you can also use other cuts like round roast or even more affordable steak cuts. If using pre-packaged stew meat, consider cutting the chunks into smaller, more uniform 1-inch pieces for better texture and quicker cooking.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Don’t let the name mislead you—this seasoning might seem unusual for beef tips, but it works wonders! It provides a bright, savory, and slightly tangy flavor profile without overpowering the dish with a distinct lemon taste. It’s an excellent way to season the meat subtly and effectively, enhancing its natural beefy notes. However, feel free to substitute with your preferred beef seasoning blend, or simply use salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for a classic approach.
- Dry Onion Soup Mix: This pantry staple is a secret weapon for adding a profound depth of savory, umami flavor to the gravy. It’s incredibly convenient and contributes significantly to the overall richness. For those who prefer to make things from scratch or control ingredients, a homemade dry onion soup mix recipe is a fantastic alternative that offers the same great taste without preservatives.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup (Lower Sodium): This ingredient forms the creamy, luscious base of our gravy. Even if you’re not a fan of mushrooms, rest assured that the mushroom flavor is incredibly subtle, primarily contributing a rich, earthy umami depth rather than a distinct mushroom taste. My husband and I aren’t mushroom lovers, yet we both thoroughly enjoy this dish! Opting for a lower sodium version of condensed soup is advisable, as other ingredients also contain salt, helping you better manage the overall sodium content. If you’re keen on customization, my homemade cream of mushroom soup recipe allows you to adjust the salt to your liking. Cream of chicken soup can also be substituted if needed, either canned or homemade.
- Beef Broth (Low Sodium): Another liquid component that adds flavor and ensures enough moisture for the slow cooking process. As with the mushroom soup, I recommend using a low-sodium beef broth to prevent the dish from becoming overly salty, given the presence of other salty ingredients. You can always add more salt to taste later if desired.
- Butter and Flour (for thickening): This simple combination creates a classic roux, which is essential for achieving a thick, luxurious gravy. While the beef tips are delicious with a thinner sauce, this step is highly recommended for that comforting, stick-to-your-ribs texture. If you prefer a thinner gravy or are looking to reduce calories, you can certainly skip this step.
Simple Steps to Making Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
Creating these incredibly tender and flavorful Crock Pot Beef Tips is wonderfully straightforward. Follow these easy steps to prepare a meal that will impress with its rich taste and comforting appeal, all with minimal hands-on effort.
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide:
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Begin by combining the dry onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup (preferably low sodium), and beef broth (also low sodium) directly in your 5-quart slow cooker. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well blended. Don’t worry if you notice a few small lumps; they will naturally dissolve and smooth out as the mixture cooks over several hours.
- Prepare the Beef: Take your beef chuck roast and cut it into approximately 1-inch cubes. Uniformly sized pieces ensure even cooking. Sprinkle the cut beef generously with lemon pepper seasoning, or your preferred seasoning blend. Toss the beef to ensure every piece is well coated with the seasoning, enhancing the flavor throughout the meat.
- Combine and Cook: Add the seasoned beef cubes to the slow cooker with the prepared sauce base. Give everything a good stir to ensure the beef is fully coated and submerged in the liquid. This ensures maximum flavor infusion and tenderness. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on the LOW setting for a minimum of 6 to 8 hours. The longer, slower cook time is key to achieving that desirable melt-in-your-mouth tender beef.
Once the beef has finished cooking and is wonderfully tender, you have the option to serve it as is for a thinner sauce, or you can take a few extra minutes to thicken the gravy to a rich, luscious consistency. This step is entirely optional but highly recommended for a classic, hearty beef tips experience.
Optional Gravy Thickening Step:
- Prepare the Roux: In a medium-sized pot on the stovetop, melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted and slightly shimmering, add about three heaping tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Whisk these two ingredients together continuously until a smooth paste forms. This paste is known in French cooking as a “roux” (pronounced “roo”), and it’s the foundation for our thick gravy. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring, to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Incorporate the Broth: Carefully scoop out about 2 cups of the hot beef broth mixture from your slow cooker into a measuring cup. To make this easier, you might want to temporarily transfer the cooked beef tips to a separate bowl or plate. Slowly pour the 2 cups of hot beef broth mixture into your prepared roux on the stovetop, whisking briskly and continuously. This continuous whisking is crucial to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth gravy.
- Thicken the Gravy: Continue to whisk the mixture over medium-high heat. You’ll notice it will quickly begin to thicken as it comes to a gentle boil. Keep whisking until the gravy reaches your desired consistency – whether you prefer it slightly thick or very rich and creamy.
- Combine and Serve: Once the gravy has reached your preferred thickness, remove it from the heat and carefully pour it back into the slow cooker with the beef tips (if you had removed them). Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure the beef tips are coated in the newly thickened gravy. Serve your delicious Crock Pot Beef Tips immediately over your choice of rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles for a truly satisfying and comforting meal!
Serve over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or hearty egg noodles for a complete and utterly satisfying meal!
Craving More Slow Cooker Comfort Food?
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and deliciousness of these Crock Pot Beef Tips, you’re in luck! The slow cooker is a treasure trove of simple, satisfying meals. Explore these other fantastic recipes that bring incredible flavor with minimal effort:
- Crock Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Crock Pot Cubed Steak and Gravy
- Crock Pot Beef and Noodles
- Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Beef
- Crock Pot Dr Pepper Shredded Beef
- Slow Cooker Corned Beef
- Crock Pot Creamy Sausage and Potatoes
- Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
- Crock Pot Salisbury Steak
- Crock Pot Round Steak
- Crock Pot Beef Dumplings
- Crock Pot Lasagna
- Crock Pot Meatloaf
- Crock Pot Pork Loin
- Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
- Butter Swim Biscuits
Originally posted: January 2011
Updated photos & republished: August 2024
Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
These Crock Pot Beef Tips are a simple slow cooker recipe made with chuck roast, beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, and seasoning. Expect tender and flavorful results every time!
Pin Recipe
Rate This Recipe
15 minutes
8 hours
8 hours 15 minutes
4
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 10.5 ounce can low sodium cream of mushroom soup
- 14 ounce can low sodium beef broth
- 1 ½ pounds beef chuck roast
- 1 ½ Tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning (you can just use salt and pepper or any seasoning flavors you prefer)
To thicken gravy: (see notes below)
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons flour
Instructions
In a 5 quart slow cooker, combine 1 packet dry onion soup mix, 10.5 ounce can low sodium cream of mushroom soup, and 14 ounce can low sodium beef broth. Whisk to combine (don’t worry if there are lumps, they will come out as it cooks).
Cut 1 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast into 1-inch cubes (or smaller if you prefer). Sprinkle 1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning on beef and stir it around to make sure it is all coated.
Add meat to crock pot and give it all a good stir.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
Optional to thicken the gravy: about 20 minutes before serving, in a medium pot, melt 2 Tablespoons butter. Once it is melted, add in about 3 Tablespoons flour. Whisk it together until smooth.
Then pour in 2 cups of the beef broth mixture from crock pot into the butter/flour mixture. Whisk it again until smooth, then bring the heat up to high (while whisking briskly the whole time). It should quickly begin to thicken.
Once it gets to your desired thickness, take it off the heat and pour it back into the crock pot.
Stir well then serve over rice or noodles or all by itself!
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Main Course
American
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 9g |
Protein: 37g |
Fat: 21g |
Sodium: 1486mg |
Fiber: 1g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Did you make this recipe?
Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!