Beef Tips with Gravy

This is my go-to recipe for Beef Tips with Gravy! Made with staples from your kitchen and only one pot. A favorite comfort meal that all ages will crave! Including instructions for your slow cooker or Instant Pot, you can make this recipe no matter your equipment or time limit.

Easy Beef Tips With Gravy Recipe

I’ve always been a fan of beef tips and gravy. Nothing like using one of the most inexpensive protein items at the grocery store and creating something this delicious with it! While comforting, saucy, and drool-worthy, this recipe is also surprisingly low-calorie. It’s a win-win!

What Type Of Beef Should I Use?

Recipes using beef tips became popular for a couple reasons. Rather than throwing out perfectly good beef, butchers were able to package up these odds and ends to sell. The best part? They could sell these bits incredibly cheap. It was a win-win for everyone! That being said, you have tons of options for types of beef you can use for beef tips and gravy! Chuck roasts, round roasts, rump roast, sirloin, tenderloin, or rib cuts.

Most grocery stores will sell beef stewing cubes that you can use, or you can ask your butcher for some beef tips. If you often trim up roasts, you can also save those pieces and freeze them. Once you’ve accumulated a couple pounds of meat, use them up in this recipe!

• Beef – Tips or stewing beef.
• Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
• Olive oil – Sunflower, safflower, avocado, vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oils can be used instead.
• Butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter so I have full control over the salt.
• Onion – White or yellow onion, or even shallots will work.
• Garlic – Use as much or little as you prefer.
• Flour – You can make this recipe gluten-free by adding a cornstarch slurry to thicken the gravy at the very end.
• Beef broth – While beef broth is ideal for this recipe, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth.
• Soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce – You can use one or the other if needed.
• Thyme – Fresh sprigs.
• Bay leaf – Fresh or dried.
• Parsley – Chopped, for garnish.

This beef tips recipe is super easy! It’s the perfect example of how you can take stew meat and turn it into so much deliciousness with very little effort! Just be sure to give the beef the time it needs to get tender and it will turn out amazing!

Sear The Beef

To begin, you need to sear the meat to create some flavor. First, generously season the beef with salt and pepper. Next, heat the olive oil over medium-high in a Dutch oven or pot. Now, add the beef tips, sear them on all sides, and then remove them from the pan.

Add The Onions And Garlic

After the beef is seared you’ll use the same pot for this step. Start by melting the butter in the pot and then adding the onion to cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until it is soft and translucent. Now, add the garlic and cook for just 30 seconds more just until it’s aromatic. 

Start The Gravy

Now let’s get the yummy gravy going! Sprinkle the flour over the onions in the pot. Then stir the mixture and cook it for 1 to 2 minutes to create a roux. Next, pour in the beef broth and whisk the mixture well until the roux and broth are fully incorporated. Now, stir in the soy sauce, Worcestershire, thyme, and bay leaf.

Add The Beef And Cook

With the gravy started, add the seared beef back into the pot and stir. Next, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, and allow it to cook for about 30 minutes stirring from time to time. The dish is done when the meat is tender and the gravy has thickened. However, if the gravy begins to thicken too much before the meat is tender just add a bit of water or broth to thin it out.

Finish And Serve

Once the beef is done, remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf from the gravy. Then taste the dish and season with salt and pepper if needed. Now, garnish with some fresh chopped parsley and serve with your favorite sides. 

This version is a very similar process but uses a pressure cooker to speed things up a bit. Also, you only need 2 cups of beef broth when you make Instant Pot beef tips.

Sear The Beef In The Instant Pot

First, you need to sear the beef in the IP. So season the meat well with salt and pepper. Then heat the olive oil in the Instant Pot on the saute setting. Next, add the beef tips, sear them on all sides, then remove them from the pot. 

Add The Onions And Garlic

Add the butter to the Instant Pot and let it melt. Then add the onion and cook it for a few minutes or until it is translucent and has softened. Next, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until it’s aromatic. 

Start The Gravy

Now, you need to create the base of the gravy before you start pressure cooking. First, sprinkle the flour over the onions, then stir, and cook the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes. Then add the beef broth to the pot and whisk the mixture until well combined. Now, add the beef tips back into the IP along with the soy sauce, Worcestershire, thyme, and bay leaf. Then stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil. 

Pressure Cook The Beef Tips

Once the mixture comes to a boil, close the lid on your Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position. Now, set the IP to HIGH pressure and the timer for 15 minutes. Note, it takes a few minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before it starts cooking and the timer begins counting. So don’t worry. 

Release The Steam And Finish

When the Instant Pot is done cooking, quick release the pressure. But be very careful because the steam is hot and can burn. Then once the pin has dropped, you can safely remove the lid. 

Now that the beef is cooked, remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. At this point, if you want the gravy to be thicker you can set the IP to the saute setting and simmer it for an additional 10 minutes. Then taste the dish and season with salt and pepper if you like. Finally, garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and serve.

For this version, use only 2 cups of beef broth.

Sear The Beef

Season the beef tips generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes on all sides. Remove the cubes from the pot and set them aside. Add the butter to the pot, let it melt, then add the onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until softened and translucent.

Combine All The Ingredients

Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then sprinkle the flour into the skillet. Stir well and cook for another minute or two. Pour the beef broth into the pot and whisk the mixture well. Pour the mixture into your slow cooker along with the soy sauce, Worcestershire, thyme, bay leaf, and seared beef.

Cook And Finish

Secure the lid of your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. If you’d like the gravy thicker, you can set your slow cooker to high and simmer for 15-20 minutes to reduce. Taste for salt and pepper, season with parsley, and serve.

How To Serve

Beef tips are perfect over some carbohydrates such as rice, mashed potatoes, or even some noodles. Looking for some veggies to add more color to your plate? You can serve up these simple sides with your beef tips:

Salads

• Tomato Basil Salad
• Chickpea Tomato Salad
• Kale and Quinoa Salad
• Black Bean Corn and Avocado Salad
• Easy Tossed Salad

Roasted

• Italian Roasted Mushrooms and Veggies
• Skillet Green Beans
• Sweet And Sour Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
• Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
• Garlic Herb Roasted Carrots

Leftovers

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat in the microwave, or reheat on the stovetop. Transfer the leftovers to a skillet or saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until completely heated through. You can add a splash of water or beef broth if you find the gravy is getting too thick.

Freezing

This is one of the best meals to make ahead and store in the freezer for future dinners. I find it’s easiest to let the leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating, however you can reheat them straight from the freezer if need be.

Leftovers will last up to 3 months stored in an airtight container in the freezer. Make sure the beef tips have fully cooled down to room temperature before freezing. To reheat, simply follow the instructions detailed in the section above.

Other Delicious Beef Recipes To Try

• Beef Bourguignon
• Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
• Beef Rouladen
• Oxtail Stew
• Guinness Braised Short Ribs
• Carne Guisada
• Salisbury Steak