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!
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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.

- 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.
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

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

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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Print
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy is a comforting American classic featuring tender beef stew meat simmered low and slow in a savory gravy made with onion soup mix, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Perfect served over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes for a hearty main course.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasonings
- 2 lbs stew meat
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 1 (1 oz) package dry onion soup mix
Liquids and Thickeners
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Place the 2 lbs of stew meat into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, ensuring the pieces are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- Mix Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 3 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 oz dry onion soup mix, 2 cups beef broth, 3 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 3 tablespoon cornstarch until thoroughly combined.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef tips in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours to allow the beef to become tender and flavors to develop.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the beef tips and rich gravy over hot rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes. Enjoy this warm, hearty meal immediately.
Notes
- Deeper Flavor: For enhanced taste, sear the beef tips in a hot skillet with butter or olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker. Brown each side for a few minutes but do not cook through.
- Thicker Gravy: To thicken the gravy further at the end of cooking, mix additional cornstarch with cold water until smooth and stir it into the slow cooker. Cook on low for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Make Ahead: Combine the seasoning mixture the night before and refrigerate to save prep time on cooking day.
- Cook on Low Heat: Slow cooking on low heat yields the best texture as it breaks down tough connective tissue gently.
- Even-Sized Pieces: Ensure all beef pieces are cut to similar sizes to cook evenly throughout the slow cooking process.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg



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