Best Slow Cooker Beef Tips Recipe

This best slow cooker beef tips recipe is my secret weapon for chaotic days. The perfect “set it and forget it” meal that smells amazing all day and especially when we walk in the door from a hard day at work and school. 

I love using my slow cooker every chance I can. I never know when activities or different work events are going to have me and my family running late. When they run late, I don’t get dinner on the table at a decent time.

This is where the slow cooker saves the day.

The slow cooker lets me throw the ingredients in, then set it and forget it. This way, if I do run late, then hubby and the kids can still eat on time. The only requirement is to save me some.

That last part is a serious rule in our house!

This slow cooker beef tips is one of my favorites to make in the slow cooker. It’s a simple slow cooker beef tips meal that honestly tastes like you spent hours at the stove.

This beef tip meal can be served with mashed potatoes, pasta or even rice.

It’s just one of those great homemade slow cooker beef tips ideas that works anytime.

The beef tips come out super tender and juicy, not to mention flavorful. The beef gets fork-tender and makes its own rich, savory gravy.

This is truly one of our favorite comfort dishes. Although comfort’s for winter, I have no issues making this all year long.

The end result? A delicious, hearty meal that will keep you satisfied all winter long. Give this recipe a try today!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Pantry staples: Simple ingredients like beef stock and onion soup mix that you probably already have.

• Set it and forget it: It’s so easy to add the ingredients to the slow cooker and let the appliance do all the work.

• Incredible flavor: The beef tips taste delicious and savory, like they’ve been simmering for days.

• Beginner friendly: An easy slow cooker beef tips recipe for beginners. You just brown the meat and dump everything in, then walk away and come back hours later for a delicious meal.

• Picky eater approved: A family friendly slow cooker beef tips recipe. My kids always clean their plates when this is for dinner.

Serving Suggestions

This dish can have a side of mashed potatoes, pasta or rice. Those are the classic choices for soaking up every last drop of that savory gravy. Everyone’s going to be happy with dinner.

What sides can I serve with this dish?

• Creamy cheese polenta
• Brown rice if you’re watching your starch
• Spoon over thick toasted slices of sourdough or brioche bread
• Steamed green beans
• Roasted broccoli
• Buttered egg noodles
• Mashed potatoes
• Egg noddles
• Rice
• Bread
• Salad

Ingredients:

• French onion soup mix
• Olive oil
• Worcestershire sauce
• Cubed beef chuck or stew meat
• Water
• Onion sliced
• Cornstarch
• Beef stock
• Bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Cubed beef chuck: This is the best choice. You can buy stew meat that’s already cut, or buy a chuck roast and cube it yourself. This cut starts tough but becomes enormously tender after slow cooking all day.
• French onion soup mix: This is the all-in-one flavor bomb. It provides the salt and savory notes like onion and garlic that make the gravy so good.
• Beef stock: The gravy base. A low-sodium stock is best, because the soup mix already has a good amount of salt.
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds a tangy flavor that really makes the beef taste richer. 
• Cornstarch: Mixed with water at the end to make a slurry, that thickens the gravy into a perfect, glossy sauce.

Variations:

• Beef or pork: If you try pork, a pork shoulder (or pork butt) cut into cubes would work great.
• Hot sauce: If you want a little kick, add little with a drop or two of hot sauce.
• Optional onions and bell peppers: Toss them in at the beginning with the meat.

How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Beef Tips Recipe

Step 1. Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. You’ll need to really do this searing step even for the slow cooker. It builds all the flavor.

Step 2.  Stir half the meat and onions, brown evenly, and cook until the onions become soft. Don’t crowd the pan, or the meat will steam instead of brown.

Step 3. Remove, and repeat step 2 with the remaining meat and onions. Set all the browned meat and onions aside on a plate.

Step 4. Add all of the meat and onions into the pot. For the slow cooker, add the browned meat and onions to the slow cooker basin.

Step 5. Pour in the broth, onion soup mix, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6. For the stovetop: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 ½ hour, or until the beef’s tender. For the slow cooker: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.

Step 7. Blend together the cornstarch and water, add to the pot, and cook until the gravy has thickened. For the slow cooker, pour this slurry in during the last 30 minutes and turn the heat to HIGH.

Step 8. Garnish with parsley before serving. This adds a great pop of fresh color.

THANKS FOR PINING!

Tips for Success

• Don’t skip searing the meat. That browning step is where all the rich flavor comes from. This is true for the stovetop or slow cooker.
• Use the right cut. Chuck roast or stew meat’s ideal. Avoid lean cuts like sirloin, as they can become tough.
• For the slow cooker, keep the lid on. Don’t lift the lid while it’s cooking. Every time you peek, you release heat and steam, which adds 20-30 minutes to your cook time.
• Always add the cornstarch slurry during the last part of cooking. If you add it at the beginning, it can get gummy.

Storage & Reheating

How many servings does this recipe make? Each batch serves four. You can double it or even triple it pretty easily. You will need a larger pan. So you may or may not have leftovers. But if you do, you’re lucky. Because these leftovers are fantastic. You’ll find the flavors get even better after sitting in the fridge all night.

How should I store the leftovers?

Once the food has cooled to room temperature, it can be transferred to an airtight container. You can then store the container for 4 days in the refrigerator.

Can I reheat these beef tips?

Yes, you can place the beef tips in a saucepan over medium heat and heat through. This is the best method to keep the gravy just right. You could also use the microwave to heat the beef tips. Just microwave in 60-second bursts and stir in between.

Can I freeze the beef tips?

The beef tips are freezer friendly. Once they’re cooled completely, place them into a freezer-safe container and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To use, just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Notes

I still remember when slow cookers first became a thing. I swear, you could hear moms everywhere, including my own mom, let out a collective sigh of relief.

It really did feel like a huge deal for busy families.

This is still my favorite healthy slow cooker beef tips version to make. It’s so much better than grabbing takeout on a busy night.

It’s just the best feeling to throw this in the slow cooker before work because I know dinner’s ready when we all get home. My kids love this so much, they always ask for extra gravy, and I’m happy to give it to them. It’s a huge win in our house.

More Beef Recipes

Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole – Ooey gooey cheese! Yum!

Slow Cooker Barbecued Beef Ribs – Tangy and easy to make.

Beef Pot Roast – Tender roast everyone will love.

BBQ Slow Cooker Beef Stew – Not your traditional stew recipe!