I can still smell it now, that rich, cozy gravy threading through the whole house while I was trying to coax three mismatched socks off the dryer and answer a chorus of small, urgent questions. The slow cooker was doing the heavy lifting, and the Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe felt like a private rescue mission for my evening. Meanwhile, the kids argued about who got the biggest biscuit and I pretended not to hear the clatter from the back porch. This is the kind of dinner that saves you, feeds you, and makes the kitchen feel like a safe, loud sort of love.

Why Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe Deserves a Spot on Your Weeknight Menu

There are meals that are food and then there are meals that are family glue. Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is more glue than food. It wraps the house in a warm smell, brings everyone to the table, and quietly fixes the fact that no one did the laundry. It is comfort and convenience married in a slow cooker where patience does most of the work.

I grew up eating versions of this dish at my grandmother’s table, where gravy was practically a food group. Later, I learned how to make it in a way that fits the modern, chaotic life. This recipe is forgiving. It works if you are rushing out the door in the morning, if you spill coffee on your favorite shirt, or if you only remembered to brown the meat five minutes before guests arrive. It is an easy crock pot recipe and a slow cooker comfort meal all in one.

This recipe also pairs well with routine life hacks and a simple plan. If you want more ideas for hearty mains, you can peek at my curated beef and pork recipes for more inspiration and weekday wins.

How to Make Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe Without Losing Your Mind

“When the slow cooker’s humming and the kids are (mostly) quiet, you know it’s going to be a good dinner.”

Let me reassure you before we start: this is not a fussy dish. It is built from honest, pantry-friendly ingredients and straightforward steps. The meat becomes tender and the gravy thick and glossy. The smell moves from toasty and savory while searing to deep, homey when the broth and herbs come together. Meanwhile, the onions soften into sweet ribbons and the garlic lifts everything with warmth.

This is a recipe that gives texture contrast. You will have browned bits on your beef that add rich flavor. The gravy will be silky and coat every tender chunk. If you are a slow cooker fan and love a dump-and-go vibe, this is a great bridge between hands-on comfort and all-day ease. If you want more truly hands-off ideas, I keep a stash of dump and go recipes that play nicely with a busy life.

Gathering the Ingredients

What you see here is honest cooking. Nothing exotic. Everything useful. Lay these out on the counter and you will feel five steps more in control.

1½ lbs sirloin tips
3 tbsp flour
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp brown sugar
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp paprika
2 tbsp butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef broth
1 beef bouillon cube
1½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
3 tbsp corn starch
¼ cup cold water

If you accidentally buy salted butter, no judgment. It still works. If your pantry only has dried minced onion, use it but soften it a bit longer with the butter. Small swaps do not sabotage the soul of this dish.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Cut the sirloin into bite-sized cubes and pat dry.
   Use paper towels and handle the meat gently. Dry meat sears better and gives you more flavor.
2. Mix all beef seasoning ingredients in a bowl.
   Whisk spices and flour together so every piece of meat gets a little blessing.
3. Toss beef with seasoning, then with flour to coat evenly.
   Shake off any heavy clumps. A light, even coat gives you that pretty crust.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   Let the oil shimmer before you add the meat so nothing sticks and everything browns.
5. Sear the beef in batches for 30–45 seconds per side until browned.
   Do not crowd the pan. You want color, not steam. Transfer to a plate when done.
6. Deglaze the pan using broth, scraping up the browned bits. Let reduce by half.
   Those browned bits are flavor gold. Use a wooden spoon and get everything off the bottom.
7. Lower heat, add butter and onions, cook until soft. Stir in garlic.
   Let the onions go translucent and slightly golden. Garlic only needs a minute to sing.
8. Add beef broth, bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil.
   Taste a little. The broth tells you where to tweak the salt and pepper.
9. Whisk cornstarch with cold water and stir into the pan to thicken.
   Whisk until smooth. Pour it in and watch the gravy take on a glossy body.
10. Return seared beef and juices to the skillet. Simmer on low, partially covered, for 10–15 minutes until tender.
    Let the flavors settle. If it looks too thin, don’t panic. It will thicken more as it cools a touch.
11. Crock Pot Option: After searing beef and making gravy, transfer to slow cooker. Cook on low 7–8 hours or high 3–4 hours. Stir in slurry at the end to thicken.
    This method gives you fall-apart tenderness and is a true slow cooker comfort meal. If you leave it on low all day, the house will smell like a warm, forgiving hug.

A few honest notes from the road. Sometimes the gravy looks a little loose after the first whisk. It firms up while resting, so resist the urge to pile on more cornstarch. Also, searing in batches feels slow, but it pays off. The browned edges add a depth that makes the simple ingredients sing.

Bringing Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe to the Table

There is a tiny moment when you lift the lid and steam rolls out and everyone pauses. That is dinner magic. Set the table with a mix of homey things. A big bowl of mashed potatoes, hot biscuits, or buttered egg noodles are classic bedfellows. Add a quick green vegetable like roasted green beans or a crisp salad to cut through the richness.

Serve the beef tips spooned generously over the starch. Everyone gets gravy because that is how we measure love at my house. Meanwhile, place a small dish of pickles or a tangy relish on the side to give some contrast. Family dinner becomes part ritual, part roast commentary. The kids will find something to complain about, and you will find something to laugh about.

A warm, crusty loaf of bread is nonnegotiable. It soaks up any last gravy and keeps fingers busy while stories travel around the table. If you want to make this dish feel fancy, a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top brightens the plate and makes you look like you had a plan.

Saving Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe for Tomorrow

Leftovers are where the real magic often lives. This dish wakes up better the next day. The flavors marry and deepen while it rests in the fridge.

Store in a sealed container for up to 3 days. If you need more time, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

To reheat on the stove, warm gently over low heat, stirring often. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the gravy seems stiff. For the microwave, cover loosely and heat in 60 second bursts, stirring in between. Trust me, the first microwave beep is a suggestion and not the finish line.

If your gravy has thickened too much after cooling, whisk in a little warm broth or milk. It loosens up and the consistency comes back without sacrificing flavor. Next-day leftovers often taste like restaurant gravy because everything has had time to mingle.

Ellie’s Slow-Living Tips

1. Brown once, eat twice. Sear the meat in the morning, refrigerate the pan juices, and finish the gravy later. You get deep flavor without morning chaos.
2. Use your slow cooker as a timed friend. Set it on low and let time do the work while you run errands or make a school lunch. It is a true easy crock pot recipe.
3. Make a double batch of gravy and freeze in portions. Reheat for mashed potatoes, meatloaf, or even over roasted vegetables. Homemade gravy is a problem solver.
4. Swap sirloin tips for chuck if you want extra richness. Chuck needs longer in the slow cooker but becomes butter tender. If you are short on time, sirloin tips are your quick champion.
5. Keep a small jar of mixed dried herbs. A pinch of thyme and rosemary goes a long way when you want homemade flavors fast.

These are small tricks that accumulate into calmer evenings. They are practical and kind of like kitchen pocket lint. You forget it is there until it saves the day.

Family Twists on Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

The best part of this recipe is how it welcomes variations. My neighbor swears by adding a splash of red wine with the stock for extra depth. A cousin from town always adds a teaspoon of instant coffee to the gravy for a subtle, savory lift.

Grandma once stirred in a half cup of sour cream at the end for a tangy finish. It made the gravy silkier and made the adults at the table nod thoughtfully. Another farm friend throws in a handful of sliced mushrooms with the onions. The starch soaks up that mushroom-y goodness and everyone pretends they are at a cozy bistro.

For a lighter twist, use low-sodium broth and skip the extra butter. Serve over cauliflower mash for a lower-carb finish. For a party, bulk this up with extra beef and serve in a chafing dish. The dish scales well, which is why I keep it near the top of my go-to rotation.

FAQs About Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

A Final Thought

Cooking this Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is like writing a small letter to your future self. You set things up, you let time and heat do the polite work, and you come back to a house that smells like comfort. It is not perfect. There are crumbs on the counter and a sock in the living room. The plates never match and the gravy sometimes needs one more pinch of salt. But that is the point. This is the kind of meal that forgives small mistakes and rewards patience.

Until the next slow day, remember that dinner does not have to be heroic. It just has to be honest and warm. Share it with people who will tell you stories while they eat. And if you want to save this as a go-to, try pairing it with dishes from my list of holiday party recipes when you need to feed a crowd that asks for seconds.

Conclusion

If you want a quick reference or an alternate method, I like to compare versions and pick tips that fit my schedule. For a stove top or crock pot take that leans closer to traditional techniques, check out Beef Tips and Gravy (Stove Top or Crock Pot!) – The Cozy Cook for another friendly walkthrough. If you are curious about tender results and professional tips, this Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe (So Tender) | The Kitchn has excellent pointers that complement this slow cooker comfort meal.

Beef Tips and Gravy

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• Author: Eleanor Mae Jenkins
• Total Time: 495 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: None

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Description

A comforting slow cooker recipe featuring tender beef tips and rich gravy, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1½ lbs sirloin tips
• 3 tbsp flour
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• 1½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ tsp dried thyme
• ¼ tsp dried rosemary
• 3 tbsp corn starch
• ¼ cup cold water

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Instructions

1. Cut the sirloin into bite-sized cubes and pat dry.
2. Mix all beef seasoning ingredients in a bowl, whisking together spices and flour.
3. Toss beef with seasoning, then coat with flour evenly.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Sear the beef in batches for 30–45 seconds per side until browned.
6. Deglaze the pan using broth, scraping up the browned bits. Let reduce by half.
7. Add butter and onions to the pan, cooking until soft, then stir in garlic.
8. Add beef broth, bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil.
9. Whisk cornstarch with cold water and stir into the pan to thicken.
10. Return seared beef and juices to the skillet; simmer on low for 10–15 minutes until tender.
11. For crock pot option, transfer to slow cooker after making gravy. Cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, stirring in slurry at the end to thicken.

Notes

Serve over mashed potatoes, biscuits, or egg noodles. Leftovers improve in flavor and can be stored in the fridge or frozen.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 480 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 80mg