This Crock Pot Beef Tips and Gravy is a comforting and savory dish, perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings. Tender beef is slow-cooked in a flavorful, rich gravy made with simple ingredients like beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup. The dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, making it versatile and easy to serve. Plus, it’s gluten-free when using the right ingredients.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

2 lbs beef stew meat
1 (1 oz) packet dry onion soup mix
2 cups beef broth
3 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp minced garlic
½ tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Prepare the Beef:
- Pat the beef stew meat dry and place it in a 6-quart slow cooker.
Mix the Seasonings:
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, onion soup mix, thyme, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
Cook:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours until the beef is tender.
Serve:
- Serve the beef tips and gravy hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.

Nutritional Information (per serving) (Estimated)

Calories: 380 kcal
Carbohydrates: 9g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 100mg
Sodium: 980mg
Potassium: 450mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 6g
Vitamin A: 50 IU
Vitamin C: 2 mg
Calcium: 40 mg
Iron: 4 mg

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Why Beef Tips with Gravy is a Family Favorite

The appeal of Beef Tips with Gravy lies in its simplicity and its ability to be made with minimal effort while still delivering a rich and flavorful meal. The tender beef, cooked low and slow, absorbs the savory seasonings and broth, creating a dish that’s both hearty and satisfying.

One of the primary reasons this recipe remains a family favorite is its versatility. The slow-cooked beef can be served over various bases like mashed potatoes, rice, or even noodles, which adds flexibility depending on personal preferences or dietary needs. Additionally, the dish is adaptable; while the recipe calls for beef stew meat, you can easily use other cuts of beef or even chicken for a different flavor profile.

Understanding the Key Ingredients

At the heart of Beef Tips with Gravy is the beef stew meat, which becomes incredibly tender when cooked in a slow cooker for hours. This cut of meat is generally tougher and more affordable, making it perfect for slow cooking. The long cooking time breaks down the connective tissue, leaving the meat fork-tender and juicy.

The beef broth provides the base of the gravy, infusing the meat with a rich, savory flavor. Combined with ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, these ingredients bring a tangy depth to the gravy. The addition of garlic and dried thyme offers aromatic layers that elevate the overall taste.

The onion soup mix not only enhances the flavor of the gravy but also adds a level of convenience, eliminating the need for chopping onions or creating a more complex seasoning blend. The cornstarch serves as a thickening agent, helping the gravy reach the perfect consistency for spooning over your favorite starch.

The Magic of Slow Cooking

One of the most attractive aspects of this dish is the use of a slow cooker, which allows for an easy, hands-off cooking experience. Once all the ingredients are combined, the slow cooker does all the work, cooking the beef low and slow over several hours. This method ensures that the beef becomes incredibly tender, with the flavors melding together perfectly.

Slow cooking also helps to preserve the nutrients in the beef and vegetables (if added), as the food cooks in its own juices without being exposed to high heat, which can cause the loss of vitamins and minerals. Plus, using a slow cooker is incredibly convenient, especially for busy individuals or families. You can set it and forget it, knowing that you’ll have a warm, hearty meal waiting for you at the end of the day.

Serving Suggestions

While Beef Tips with Gravy is delicious on its own, it truly shines when paired with a starchy side like mashed potatoes or rice. The rich gravy soaks into the potatoes, creating a delicious combination of flavors and textures. Rice, on the other hand, absorbs the gravy, making each bite a flavorful experience.

If you’re looking for something lighter, noodles are another great option, providing a soft and slightly chewy base that complements the tender beef tips and savory gravy. For a more vegetable-forward meal, you can serve the beef tips alongside steamed vegetables like green beans, carrots, or peas, adding a healthy balance to the dish.

Health Benefits of Beef Tips with Gravy

While Beef Tips with Gravy is certainly a rich and hearty dish, it also offers several nutritional benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the key nutrients found in the recipe:

Protein: At 35 grams per serving, this dish is a fantastic source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall health.
Iron: Beef is an excellent source of heme iron, which is easier for the body to absorb compared to plant-based iron. This helps prevent iron deficiency and supports the production of red blood cells.
Sodium: While the recipe does include some salt and broth, it’s still relatively moderate in sodium. You can opt for low-sodium broth and adjust the salt to your preference to make the dish heart-healthier.
Potassium: The potassium content helps to regulate blood pressure and supports overall cardiovascular health.

The dish also provides other essential nutrients like calcium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, although in smaller amounts. Overall, Beef Tips with Gravy is a balanced meal that provides essential nutrients while satisfying your hunger.

Customizing the Recipe

One of the great things about this recipe is how easily it can be customized. If you’re looking to add more vegetables to the dish, you can toss in some carrots, peas, or potatoes to the slow cooker. These vegetables will cook along with the beef, absorbing the savory flavors of the broth and adding extra fiber and vitamins to the dish.

For a different twist, consider adding a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to the gravy, which can add depth and complexity to the flavor profile. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices, such as rosemary, bay leaves, or paprika, to make the dish uniquely yours.

For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, there are also ways to adapt the recipe. You could substitute cornstarch with a gluten-free thickening agent or replace the beef broth with a vegetable or chicken broth for a lighter version.

Tips for Perfect Beef Tips with Gravy

Searing the Meat: While it’s optional, searing the beef stew meat in a hot pan before adding it to the slow cooker can enhance the flavor by caramelizing the meat’s surface. This step can deepen the overall taste of the gravy.
Low and Slow Cooking: To ensure the beef becomes perfectly tender, be sure to cook the dish on low heat for 7-8 hours. If you cook it too quickly on high heat, the beef may turn out tough.
Consistency of Gravy: If the gravy is too thin after cooking, you can thicken it by mixing a little more cornstarch with water and adding it to the slow cooker in the last hour of cooking.

Conclusion

Beef Tips with Gravy is a comforting, hearty meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Its rich, savory flavor and tender beef tips make it a crowd-pleaser, while the slow-cooker method ensures ease and convenience. Whether served over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, this dish is sure to satisfy the whole family. With a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can enjoy a warm, nourishing meal that tastes like it’s been cooking for hours.

Perfect for busy weekdays or leisurely weekends, Beef Tips with Gravy is a timeless recipe that proves you don’t need fancy ingredients to create something truly delicious.

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