When life gets busy and the days feel too short, having a truly stress-free dinner waiting for you is pure magic. That’s why I rely so heavily on my crockpot! My go-to recipe for those demanding weeks is this incredibly easy Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy. Seriously, this method guarantees fork-tender beef swimming in the richest, most savory gravy you can imagine, all with minimal hands-on work.
As a Registered Dietitian who also deeply loves comfort food, I developed this dish to showcase balance. It’s cozy, it’s deeply satisfying, and it cooks gently all day long. Slow cooking helps build flavor without any fuss, which means you get that warm, nourishing meal you crave tonight without throwing your whole routine off track. It’s comfort food made smart and simple.
Why You Will Love This Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Recipe
Honestly, this recipe is my weekly lifesaver when I need dinner done but I’m totally swamped. If you’re looking for that perfect blend of ease and incredible flavor, stop scrolling right now. You’ve found your new favorite way to do dinner!
- It’s almost zero hands-on time! You dump everything in, set the timer, and forget about it until dinner.
- The meat comes out unbelievably fork-tender. That long, slow cook melts away any toughness.
- It creates its own rich, savory gravy right in the pot—no separate roux needed, which is a huge win for speed.
- It’s pure, unadulterated comfort food that feels like a huge hug after a tough day.
- This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal—perfect for busy weekdays when you need a satisfying dinner ready when you walk in the door.
- The flavors of the Worcestershire and gravy mixes really deepen over the 8 hours, making the final Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy taste like it simmered all day on the stovetop.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy
When we talk about easy dinners, we mean it! The beauty of this Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy recipe is that it relies on pantry staples and just a few simple fresh additions to create massive flavor without any complicated steps. I try to keep these quantities on hand because you never know when you’ll need a filling meal ready after a long afternoon!
You only need one main grouping of ingredients here, and trust me, do not skip the Worcestershire sauce—it brings that essential background depth to the gravy.
For the Beef Tips:
- 2 pounds of beef stew meat, cut into chunks (chuck roast works too!)
- 2 cups of beef broth or beef stock
- 1 yellow or sweet onion, finely diced
- 2 packages (1 oz each) of brown gravy mix
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 5 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Expert Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy
Okay, so this recipe is designed to be hands-off, but if you have an extra ten minutes in the morning, I highly recommend one little step that takes your Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy from great to absolutely unforgettable: searing the meat! I know, I know, it seems like extra work for the crockpot, but lightly browning those beef chunks in a hot skillet before they go into the slow cooker builds layers of deep, roasted flavor that you just can’t get from dumping raw meat straight in.
If you are absolutely in a rush, skip it—it’ll still be delicious. But if you can do it, go for a nice, dark sear on all sides! Also, don’t stress about making the gravy too thin at the beginning. Towards the end, if it seems too runny for your taste, just whisk a tablespoon of cornstarch into an equal amount of cold water (we call that a slurry, fancy, right?) and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking. It thickens up like a dream! This way, the meal is perfect for serving over pasta or potatoes. You can check out some fun easy snack recipes inspiration later if you decide you want to turn leftovers into some fun little appetizers!
Achieving Maximum Tenderness in Your Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy
The whole reason we use a slow cooker for this dish is to conquer tough cuts of meat. Stew meat, which usually comes from cuts like the chuck, is full of connective tissue. That tissue takes time—lots of it—to break down into luxurious, jiggly gelatin.
You absolutely must use the LOW setting if you want that fork-tender result. High heat toughens meat quickly! Setting it to LOW for 7 to 8 hours allows the collagen to dissolve slowly. It’s like giving the beef a long, gentle spa treatment. Resist the urge to peek too often, too, because when you lift that heavy lid, you let out all the precious steam and heat that keeps things cooking perfectly.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy
This is where the real magic happens, and honestly, it’s almost embarrassingly simple. You don’t need to preheat anything, which is one of my absolute favorite things about using the slow cooker for dinner! We are aiming for that melt-in-your-mouth texture, so patience is key here. Remember, this recipe is designed to cook almost all day so you can focus on everything else life throws at you.
The entire process comes down to layering, covering, and waiting. Before you shut that lid, give everything one good, gentle stir to make sure those gravy powder packets are submerged and start dissolving into the broth.
- First things first, grab your slow cooker insert. If you did the optional sear step I mentioned earlier, go ahead and add those beautifully browned beef chunks right into the bottom of the ceramic pot.
- Next, toss in your finely diced onion, minced garlic, the two brown gravy mixes, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Pour in both cups of beef broth. Make sure the liquid mostly covers the meat chunks; don’t worry if it doesn’t completely submerge them, the meat will give off liquid as it cooks down.
- Cover your slow cooker securely with the lid. Set the dial to LOW and let it run for 7 to 8 hours. Trust me, Low and Slow is the only way to go for truly tender chunks!
- When the time is up, give it a test with a fork. If it shreds easily, it’s done! If it’s tough, give it another 30 minutes. If the gravy needs thickening, stir in that cornstarch slurry we talked about and let it cook on HIGH for another 15 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy
Okay, you’ve spent all day making this incredible, tender beef, and now comes the fun part—figuring out what vehicle you’re going to use to get that rich gravy into your mouth! While the instructions mention the basics, let’s talk about balancing this hearty dish. Since the Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy is so savory and rich, you really need a good base to soak it all up.
My favorite pairing, hands down, is a huge mound of creamy mashed potatoes. Those potatoes grab every last bit of gravy! Egg noodles are a close second, but don’t forget the balance! As a dietitian, I always push for a fast, bright green side here, like steamed green beans or quick-sautéed asparagus tossed with lemon. It cuts through the richness so perfectly. You can find more ideas for great main dishes like this over in the dinner category!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy
It’s so wonderful when comfort food tastes just as good the next day, isn’t it? That’s one of the major perks of this big-batch slow cooker meal! You can absolutely make these beef tips ahead of time, and honestly, I think the flavor settles overnight, making them even better for lunch the next day.
When you have leftovers, let the mixture cool down slightly on the counter—just for 30 minutes or so—before you cover it tightly. You want to avoid trapping too much immediate hot steam, which can cause condensation and watery gravy upon reheating. Store the beef and gravy together in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. They keep beautifully for about 3 to 4 days this way.
And yes, you can freeze this! If you know you won’t get to it within four days, portion the beef and gravy into freezer-safe bags or containers. I like using zip-top freezer bags and laying them flat on a baking sheet to freeze solid—that makes stacking them much easier later on. They last great in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheating is a breeze. If you’re using the fridge batch, the gravy might look separated or congealed; don’t panic! Just put the whole thing into a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring gently as it warms up. If it seems a little thick when it reheats, add a splash of extra beef broth or just water until you get that perfect, spoonable consistency again. For frozen portions, thaw them overnight in the fridge, then reheat slowly on the stovetop or even gently in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy
I get so many questions about this beef tips recipe, which tells me you all love easy comfort food just as much as I do! Here are answers to the most common things folks ask before they toss everything into the crockpot. It’s usually simple stuff, but sometimes those little details are what make or break a recipe, right?
Can I make this Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! In fact, I almost recommend it! Slow cooking is one of the best things for meal prep because the flavors mingle overnight. If you are prepping for an event, you can easily cook the beef tips and gravy the night before, let it cool, and store it airtight in the fridge. The next day, you just gently reheat it slowly on the stovetop, adding a tiny splash of broth if it seems too thick from chilling. To be safe with storage, always check out the basic guidelines over on the disclaimer page regarding food safety!
What are some Quick Appetizers ideas if I want to serve this as a small bite?
That is such a fun idea if you’re entertaining! You can definitely repurpose this hearty dish into fantastic bite size appetizers. Forget serving it over rice; instead, try spooning a tablespoon of the beef and gravy mixture onto a warm, flaky biscuit. It becomes an instant mini-sandwich! Or, even quicker, serve them on top of toasted baguette slices or sturdy crackers. They make wonderful little mouthfuls for a party spread, feeling much more sophisticated than standard finger foods.
Do I have to use beef stew meat for this recipe?
You don’t *have* to, but stew meat is cut perfectly for this low-and-slow method. If you want to use a chuck roast instead, that’s fine—just make sure you cut it into roughly 1-inch cubes before placing it in the slow cooker. Don’t attempt that with a leaner cut like sirloin, though, because those pieces will dry out before they ever become tender enough for a fantastic batch of Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy!
My gravy seems too thin. What should I do?
This is super common, especially depending on the brand of gravy mix you use! If your beef is tender but the gravy is still watery after the full 8 hours, don’t worry. Just mix about 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water in a small bowl until it’s smooth—that’s your slurry. Stir this mixture right into the hot beef in the slow cooker, cover it, and let it cook on HIGH for about 15 to 20 minutes. It will thicken up like a dream! Then you’re ready for dinner!
Nutritional Estimate for Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy
Now, because I’m a dietitian, I always get asked about the numbers, and I wish I could give you exact figures, but every brand of beef broth or gravy mix is a little different, right? So please take these numbers as a general roadmap rather than a guarantee. This recipe is intended to be balanced comfort food, perfect for six hearty servings, but the final count truly depends on how rich you make your gravy and what you serve it over!
When accounting for the beef, broth, and seasoning, here is a general estimate per serving (assuming 1/6th of the recipe, without added rice or potatoes):
- Calories: Approximately 400-450 kcal per serving
- Protein: High! About 35-40g per serving, thanks to that beef!
- Fat: Around 20-25g per serving (this varies, of course, based on the fat content of your stew meat).
- Carbohydrates: About 10-15g per serving (primarily coming from the gravy mix binders and the small amount of onion/Worcestershire).
Remember, we keep this recipe leaning towards the savory side and light on added sugars (skip the high-sugar sauce options here!), making it a great canvas. If you serve this over a cup of brown rice and add a side of steamed broccoli, you instantly build a wonderfully nourishing and satisfying meal that keeps you full for hours!
Share Your Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy Experience
I truly hope this recipe brings as much ease and comfort to your busy evenings as it brings to mine! Once you make this amazing Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy, I’d be thrilled if you came back to leave a rating. Tell me how you served it—over egg noodles or maybe you invented some fun party snacks? Let’s chat in the comments below, or feel free to reach out directly using our contact form. Happy slow cooking!
Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the beef stew meat, beef broth, diced onion, brown gravy mixes, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper into your slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and set the heat to LOW. Cook for 7 to 8 hours.
- Serve the beef tips and gravy over cooked white rice, mashed potatoes, or cooked egg noodles.