Slow cooker beef tips have become my go-to comfort meal for those busy weeknights when I need something hearty on the table with minimal effort. Last Tuesday, I had one of those marathon days where I was juggling Henry’s soccer practice, Isabella’s piano lessons, and Emma’s science project. I tossed everything into the slow cooker that morning, and by dinnertime, our house smelled like a steakhouse. The kids practically sprinted to the table!
This recipe transforms simple stew meat into fork-tender, flavor-packed bites swimming in a rich, savory gravy. The best part? Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you tackle everything else on your to-do list. If you’re looking for more comforting slow cooker meals, you’ll want to check out my slow cooker beef stew recipe that’s equally delicious and fuss-free.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef Tips Recipe
- Incredibly tender meat that practically melts in your mouth after hours of slow cooking
- Minimal prep time with just 15 minutes of hands-on work before the slow cooker takes over
- Rich, savory gravy thanks to the combination of beef broth, onion soup mix, and Worcestershire sauce
- Budget-friendly using affordable stew meat that becomes restaurant-quality through slow cooking
- Versatile serving options perfect over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice
- One-pot meal that makes cleanup a breeze (my favorite kind of dinner!)
Ingredients You’ll Need for Beef Tips in the Slow Cooker
- Stew meat I use 3 pounds of beef chuck cut into bite-sized pieces. Look for well-marbled meat for the most tender results.
- Olive oil For browning the meat and building flavor
- Salt and black pepper imple seasonings that go a long way
- Beef broth The liquid base that keeps everything moist and adds deep beefy flavor
- Onion soup mix This is my secret weapon for instant flavor without measuring out a dozen spices
- Worcestershire sauce Adds that savory umami punch
- Diced onion I use yellow onions, but white or sweet onions work too
- Sliced mushrooms Baby bellas are my favorite, but white button mushrooms work perfectly
- Minced garlic Fresh is best, but jarred garlic saves time on busy mornings
- Cornstarch Mixed with water to create a slurry that thickens the gravy beautifully
How to Make the Best Crockpot Beef Tips
Brown the beef first. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Season your stew meat generously with salt and pepper. Working in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan!), brown the beef on all sides. This step takes about 10 minutes but creates incredible depth of flavor. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Build the base. Transfer the browned beef to your 4-quart slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth, then add the onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, diced onion, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic. Give everything a good stir to distribute the seasonings.
Set it and forget it. Cover your slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. I usually go with the LOW setting when I’m starting in the morning. The longer, slower cook makes the beef even more tender.
Thicken the gravy. About 30 minutes before serving time, whisk together the water and cornstarch in a small bowl until completely smooth. Pour this slurry into the slow cooker, stir well, cover, and let it cook for the final 30 minutes. The gravy will transform from thin to lusciously thick.
Serve and enjoy. Ladle the tender beef tips over your favorite base and watch your family dig in
FAQs About Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Can I make beef tips without browning the meat first?
Yes, you can skip the browning step if you’re really short on time. The beef will still be tender and flavorful, but you’ll miss out on the deeper, caramelized flavor that browning provides. I’ve done both ways when life gets crazy, and while the browned version is better, the non-browned version is still pretty darn delicious and saves you 10 minutes.
What’s the best way to thicken beef tips gravy?
The cornstarch slurry method I use in this recipe is foolproof and creates a silky, lump-free gravy. Make sure you mix the cornstarch with cold water first, then stir it into the hot liquid. Adding it straight to the slow cooker will create clumps. If your gravy is still too thin after 30 minutes, mix another tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and repeat the process.
Can I cook this recipe on HIGH the entire time?
Absolutely! Cooking on HIGH for 3-4 hours will give you tender beef tips in less time. The LOW setting for 5-6 hours is better if you’re leaving for work in the morning and won’t be home until evening. Both methods work beautifully, just adjust based on your schedule.
Conclusion
This slow cooker beef tips recipe has saved dinner at our house more times than I can count. It’s one of those reliable recipes that never disappoints and always gets cleaned plates at the table. The combination of tender beef, savory gravy, and umami-rich mushrooms creates a meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, when really, your slow cooker did all the work.
The beauty of this dish is in its simplicity and flexibility. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or Sunday dinner, this recipe adapts to your schedule beautifully. I love that I can start it in the morning and come home to a house filled with the most amazing aromas.
Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out! Snap a picture and tag me on Instagram so I can see your delicious creation. Your family is going to request this one on repeat
More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Another creamy, comforting beef dish
- Slow Cooker Beef Ragu Rich Italian-inspired sauce perfect over pasta
- Instant Pot Birria Recipe If you love tender, flavorful beef dishes
Happy cooking
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Slow Cooker Beef Tips
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Tender beef tips slow-cooked in a rich, savory mushroom gravy. This easy crockpot recipe requires just 15 minutes of prep for a restaurant-quality dinner!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds stew meat
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (2-ounce) packet onion soup mix (about 4 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup diced onion (about 1 small onion)
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season 3 pounds stew meat with 1 ½ teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper before adding it to the skillet in batches. Cook the beef just long enough to brown the outside before adding it to a 4-quart slow cooker.
- Add 3 cups beef broth, 1 (2-ounce) packet onion soup mix, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup diced onion, 2 cups sliced mushrooms, and 3 teaspoons minced garlic. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- 30 minutes before the beef is done cooking, mix ¼ cup water and 3 tablespoons cornstarch in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker, cover, and let it cook and thicken for the final 30 minutes.
- Serve warm over pasta or mashed potatoes.
Notes
This dish is perfect for busy weeknights since the slow cooker does all the work. The beef becomes incredibly tender after the long, slow cooking process. For best results, brown the meat in batches to ensure proper searing. The cornstarch slurry at the end creates a perfectly thick, restaurant-style gravy that clings beautifully to the beef.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
