There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty dish to cozy up with after a long day, and this Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe hits all the marks. Tender, juicy beef simmered in a rich, savory gravy — it’s pure comfort food at its best!

A close-up view of thick, rich brown stew with chunks of tender meat coated in a glossy, deep reddish-brown sauce; small pieces of green herbs are scattered on top, adding a touch of fresh color. A wooden spoon holds several pieces of the meat and some of the sauce above the pot, showing a textured and moist surface on the meat with bits of garlic visible in the sauce. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love how this recipe transforms simple stew meat into a melt-in-your-mouth meal without any fuss. It’s one of those dishes you can set and forget in your slow cooker, then come home to pure deliciousness.

Set It and Forget It: Pop everything in the slow cooker and let the flavors work their magic all day long.
Rich, Savory Gravy: Made with onion soup mix, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce, it’s packed with deep, comforting flavor.
Versatile Serving: Enjoy it over rice, noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes – you can’t go wrong.
Perfectly Tender Beef: Slow cooking breaks down the connective tissue so every bite is tender and juicy.

Ingredients & Why They Work

For this dish, you’ll want good-quality stew meat cut into even-sized pieces to ensure everything cooks evenly. I like picking up a fresh packet of dry onion soup mix because it adds so much flavor without any extra effort.

Flat lay of fresh raw beef stew meat chunks, a small pile of coarse sea salt crystals, black peppercorns scattered neatly, dried thyme sprigs, a small mound of minced garlic cloves, a neat heap of dried onion soup mix powder, a small white ceramic bowl with rich brown beef broth, a small white bowl filled with bright red ketchup, a small white bowl containing dark Worcestershire sauce, and a small white bowl of white cornstarch powder, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Stew Meat: Choose well-marbled beef stew meat for juicy, tender bites after slow cooking.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the beef and balances the gravy’s taste.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle kick and depth to the savory sauce.
Dried Thyme: A classic herb that lends a gentle earthiness.
Garlic (Minced): Gives the gravy a warm, aromatic base that I absolutely love.
Dry Onion Soup Mix: Key ingredient that creates a rich, flavorful gravy with minimal effort.
Beef Broth: The liquid foundation that keeps everything moist and infuses meat with savory goodness.
Ketchup: Adds a subtle sweetness and thicken the sauce slightly, balancing the savory notes.
Worcestershire Sauce: Brings an umami punch that intensifies the savory flavors.
Cornstarch: Thickens the gravy so it’s nice and luscious over your favorite sides.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you like it a little spicy, packed with veggies, or want to cater to dietary needs, making it your own is part of the fun!

Vegetable Boost: I love tossing in sliced mushrooms or diced carrots about an hour before the cooking time ends. It adds a lovely earthiness and a bit of texture without overshadowing that rich gravy.
Gluten-Free Twist: Swap the cornstarch for tapioca starch to keep the gravy thick and luscious without gluten. It works beautifully and tastes just as comforting!
Spicy Kick: For a little heat, add a dash of cayenne pepper or a few chopped jalapeños when mixing the sauce. It gives the classic gravy a bold twist that warms you up from the inside out.
Make It Ahead: Prepare the seasoning mixture the night before and refrigerate. I find this cuts down on morning prep and lets those flavors meld, making your slow cooker magic even more effortless.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

The image shows a white round bowl held by woman's hands, filled with three layers of food. The bottom layer is creamy white mashed potatoes, the middle layer consists of dark brown chunks of beef with thick brown gravy covering most of the mashed potatoes, and the top layer on one side is bright orange cooked baby carrots sprinkled with small green parsley pieces. The bowl is resting on a white marbled surface with some fresh green parsley scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Gather and Prepare the Beef

I start by selecting 2 pounds of stew meat, making sure the pieces are roughly the same size — roughly bite-sized chunks work best. This uniformity ensures everything cooks evenly. If you want to amp up the flavor, I highly recommend giving the beef a quick sear in a hot skillet with a bit of butter or olive oil until all sides are golden brown. This step is optional but really brings out the depth in the meat.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Flavorful Sauce

In a medium bowl, I combine 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 3 tablespoons minced garlic, and a full 1-ounce package of dry onion soup mix. To this, I add 2 cups of beef broth, 3 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Whisk it all thoroughly until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and the sauce is smooth—no lumps here!

Step 3: Pour, Cover, and Slow Cook

Next, I place the stew meat into the bottom of my 6-quart slow cooker, arranging it as evenly as possible. Then, I pour the sauce mixture right over the beef, ensuring every piece gets coated in that savory goodness. I cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours. The slow, gentle heat breaks down the tough connective tissues, turning the beef incredibly tender and infusing the gravy with rich flavor. The aroma after a few hours is absolutely mouthwatering!

Step 4: Final Touches and Serve

When the cooking time is up, the beef tips should be tender and the gravy beautifully thickened. If you’d like an even thicker gravy, mix a little extra cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the slow cooker, cooking on low for another 10 to 15 minutes. I like to serve the beef tips and gravy over fluffy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed rice to soak up every bit of that delicious sauce. Dig in and enjoy a satisfying, cozy meal!

Top Tip

These tips will help you make the most flavorful and tender Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe every time. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, but a few small tricks from experience can really elevate your dish.

Sear Before Slow Cooking: I always sear the beef tips in a hot skillet for just a few minutes before adding them to the slow cooker. This step develops a richer, deeper flavor that you can really taste in the finished dish.
Low and Slow Cooking: >From trial and error, I've found cooking on low heat for the full 7 to 8 hours yields the most tender beef. Rushing it on high heat just doesn't give the connective tissue enough time to break down properly.
Even-Sized Beef Tips: Cutting the stew meat into uniform pieces ensures they cook evenly and finish at the same time, preventing some pieces from drying out while others are still tough.
Thickening the Gravy: If you want a gravy that’s extra thick, mix some more cornstarch with cold water and stir it in near the end. Let it cook on low for 10-15 minutes to achieve that perfect saucy consistency.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

A silver frying pan is shown from above with small pieces of beef cooking inside. The beef chunks have browned edges with a mix of pink and red centers, showing they are partially cooked. The pan has some browned bits and oil residue scattered around the meat. The background is a white marbled surface with soft natural light highlighting the shiny metal pan and the texture of the meat. Steam rises gently from the beef. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh parsley or chopped chives sprinkled over the top bring a lovely pop of color and a mild, fresh flavor that balances the richness of the gravy. For a little extra zing, a light dusting of freshly grated black pepper right before serving adds a subtle bite.

Side Dishes

This Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy is delicious served over creamy mashed potatoes, buttery egg noodles, or fluffy white or brown rice — whatever base you choose will soak up the savory gravy beautifully. For veggies, steamed green beans, roasted carrots, or a fresh garden salad make perfect companions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover beef tips and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days, making them perfect for a quick reheat and meal later in the week.

Freezing

If you'd like to freeze portions, transfer cooled beef tips and gravy to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in a saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If needed, add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the gravy. Avoid using high heat to prevent drying out the beef tips.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Yes! While stew meat works great, you can also use chuck roast cut into cubes. Just make sure the pieces are uniform so they cook evenly during the 7 to 8 hours on low heat.

Is it necessary to add the cornstarch at the beginning?

Adding cornstarch at the start helps thicken the gravy as it cooks. However, if you prefer a thicker gravy, you can add extra cornstarch mixed with cold water near the end and cook a bit longer to thicken it up.

Can I prepare the sauce mixture ahead of time?

Absolutely! Mixing the seasoning and liquid ingredients the night before saves time on cooking day. Just store the sauce mixture in the fridge and pour it over the beef when you're ready to start cooking.

What can I serve with this dish for a complete meal?

This recipe pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles to soak up the savory gravy. For a balanced meal, add a side of steamed or roasted vegetables like green beans, broccoli, or carrots.

Final Thoughts

Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe has become one of those comforting go-to meals I love to make when I crave something hearty and satisfying without a lot of fuss. With just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker doing the heavy lifting, you get tender beef bathed in a rich, savory gravy that's perfect over your favorite starch. I hope these tips and serving ideas inspire you to make it again and again, sharing the cozy flavors with your family and friends.