This recipe for beef tips has the best gravy! It just takes a few ingredients, a little prep, and then let the slow cooker do its thing. The beef is tender, flavorful and easy to make!
If you love the flavor of beef and enjoy gravy, this is the recipe for you! Another family favorite includes this shredded beef in a crockpot recipe. Lots of options on how to serve it are included in the post. Or, you might want to try this oven baked No Peek Chicken with Rice recipe! My kids LOVE the chicken no-peek recipe. The nice part about these no-peek recipes is that they are so hands-off!
Table of contents
Why I love this recipe
You may have heard me mention that this recipe is all about gravy. There is lots of it, it tastes beefy and is perfect on top of mashed potatoes. Don't get me wrong, the beef is also very delicious because that's how the gravy gets it's flavor.
Everyone in my family LOVES this recipe. This recipe was devoured even when my kids went through their picky eating stages!
You can use stew meat (I do) to keep the cost down. For the amount of food you are making, it's a low-cost meal. There are leftovers to either eat for another meal or to freeze. I do like freezing extras.
The prep is easy and doesn't take long. When I have time, I like to sear the meat because that gives it extra flavor. I'll confess, sometimes it's all about getting everything into that crockpot as fast as possible. The searing step can be skipped, and the beef still tastes great!
Ingredients
Cubed beef stew meat - I like to make sure most of the fat is trimmed. Some people like leaving most on, but I find my picky eaters don't like it. If a chuck roast is on sale, I'll buy that and cut my own beef stew meat. Beef tips are the more expensive option but I don't think they are necessary.
Package of brown gravy - I like McCormicks but if you have a different one you use, go ahead and use that.
Can of cream of mushroom soup - I always seem to have Campbell's brand around. However, you can substitute a different brand.
Envelope of Onion Soup Mix - Any brand works. This is an important part of where the seasoning for the flavor comes from.
1 can Beef Broth - If watching your salt intake, buy ingredients low in sodium. You can also substitute water for this if needed.
Mushrooms (optional) - not normally in this recipe but I think they are great in it! Add an 8 oz package of cleaned white or baby portabello mushrooms that have been cut in half.
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Instructions
Step 1
I personally find this recipe is more flavorful if you can brown the stew meat. Use a large frying pan and add enough oil (use a high-heat oil like vegetable or canola) to lightly coat the bottom. Heat to medium-high. Spread out the beef cubes so there is some space between the pieces. Allow meat to stay in one spot for 3-4 minutes. Turn when browned and allow the second side to brown.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, mix gravy, mushroom soup, onion soup and beef broth until well mixed. Pour into slow cooker.
Step 3
Add beef to the liquid mixture.
Step 4
Cook on high for 3 ½ hours or low for 7 hours. Check that the meat is tender. If it isn't, let it cook for another ½ hour and check again.
Recipe Tips
- Salt (sodium) level can be reduced using low-sodium products and water instead of beef broth.
- If you don't have time to brown the beef, the recipe will work out great without that step.
- If you have red wine handy (not cooking wine), substitute up to ½ a cup of the beef broth with the wine. Heck, white wine works too!
How to Serve
Serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. My preference is in the order I have just listed.
Sides to serve with
Serve with simple bright colored sides such as steamed green beans, steamed broccoli or cooked carrots. In the summer, I enjoy a salad instead of cooked vegetables as my side.
FAQs
You do want some fat but look for a package that does not have a large amount of fat. Marbled beef is usually more tender but isn't always found in packages of stew beef. You want the meat to be a uniform red color - not look discolored.
No, by cooking it long and slow in a slow cooker, the beef will be nice and tender when following the proper cooking time.
Other Beef Recipes
Easy No Peek Beef Tips
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cubed beef stew meat trimmed of large fat pieces
- 1 package brown gravy I use McCormics but others work well
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 1 can beef broth
- 8 oz baby portabella mushrooms OPTIONAL
Instructions
- Optional - Brown cubed beef steak. If you don't have time, the recipe will turn out great without this step!
- In a medium bowl, mix gravy, mushroom soup, onion soup and beef broth until well mixed. Pour into slow cooker.
- Add beef to the liquid mixture. Stir.
- Cook on high for 3 ½ hours or 7 hours on low. Meat should be very tender.
Notes
Recipe Tips
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- If you don't have time to brown the beef, the recipe will work out great without that step.
-
- If you have red wine handy (not cooking wine), substitute up to ½ a cup of the beef broth with the wine. Heck, white wine works too!
-
- Salt (sodium) level can be reduced using low-sodium products and water instead of beef broth.
Dawn
Probably a silly question: do you mix the gravy according to the gravy packet or just use the seasoning? Same with the onion soup?
This is my first time.
Susan Moncrieff
Just use the gravy packet as-is. Don't mix the gravy according to the package instructions. I'll make sure to make sure that is clear in the recipe instructions.
Diana
Awesome recipe! Making for the 2nd time. Thank you for sharing!
Susan Moncrieff
So glad you enjoyed it!
Pam W.
So easy & so flavorful. No need to add any seasoning. Great way to use stew meat instead of a soup or stew. Served it with bread & mashed potato’s like an open faced roast beef!!
Susan Moncrieff
I'm so glad you liked it! It's a great recipe to make for a busy day!