Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe - The Real Food Dietitians (2024)

There are plenty of reasons to love this slow cooker recipe:

• When beef tips cook low and slow with a few key spices and ingredients, they get fork-tender and infused with deep, rich flavor.
• This healthy dinner is full of high-quality protein, nourishing veggies, and satisfying flavor.
• A quick cornstarch slurry helps thicken the liquid, creating a rich and flavorful gravy to coat this delicious meal.
• It’s incredibly easy! Thanks to frozen pearled onions and pre-sliced mushrooms, you don’t even need to spend time chopping veggies.
• We love fast and easy Crockpot recipes, but we’re also big fans of real food ingredients. That’s why we skipped the pre-made stuff like cream of mushroom soup or onion soup mix and created a simple beef tips and gravy recipe with the cleanest ingredients possible.
• Our recipe as written feeds six, so it’s great for larger families or to make a big batch to save for later. It freezes great for up to three months or keeps for five days in the fridge; just make sure to cool it to room temperature before storing.

When replacing soy sauce, tamari, or shoyu with coconut aminos, double the suggested amount. For instance, if a recipe suggests 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, use 2 tablespoons of coconut aminos in its place.

When a recipe calls for coconut aminos but you want to use something else, use half the amount of soy sauce, tamari, or shoyu mixed with half the amount of water. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of coconut aminos, you can use 1 tablespoon of soy sauce mixed with 1 tablespoon of water.

Pin for LaterRate recipe

Print Recipe

Servings: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil, divided (for Instant Pot version only)
• 2 lbs. beef tips (cubed sirloin) or cubed beef stew meat (1- to 2-inch pieces)
• 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen pearl onions (add while still frozen)
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced or coarsely diced
• 1 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth
• 2 to 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• For serving: Cooked mashed potatoes, mashed parsnips or cauliflower, or noodles
• Snipped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Crockpot Directions:

1. In a 6- to 7-quart slow cooker, place the beef tips, frozen pearl onions, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir until beef and onions are coated in the tomato paste and seasonings.
3. Add the mushrooms and pour the beef broth over everything.
4. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.
5. When the beef is tender, thicken the liquid with a cornstarch slurry:*
   1. Place 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a small bowl and ladle ¼ cup of the hot liquid from the slow cooker into the bowl.
   2. Use a small whisk or fork to mix the cornstarch into the liquid until dissolved (should look like a muddy liquid). Pour the cornstarch slurry into the mixture in the slow cooker and mix until incorporated.
   3. Set slow cooker to high setting, cover, and cook for 30 minutes or until liquid is thickened.
   4. If you prefer even thicker gravy, repeat the cornstarch slurry step with 2 more tablespoons of cornstarch. The gravy will thicken even more over time and as the recipe cools.
6. Serve over mashed potatoes, other mashed veggies, or cooked noodles.
7. Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Instant Pot Directions:

1. Select the ‘Saute’ function on the Instant Pot.
2. When the pot is hot, add ½ tablespoon oil. When the oil starts to shimmer, add half (1 lb) of the beef and cook for 2 minutes or until browned. Flip each piece and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
3. Transfer cooked beef pieces to a plate and repeat with the remaining ½ tablespoon of the oil and the remaining 1 lb of beef. Remove beef to a plate.
4. Add ½ cup of the beef broth to the pot and scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any bits. Add the mushrooms, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Press the ‘Cancel’ button.
7. Add the beef back to the Instant Pot along with the frozen pearl onions, the remaining 1 cup of broth, and the tomato paste. Stir well to combine.
8. Lock the lid into place and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
9. When the cooking time is up, allow for 10 minutes of natural pressure release before flipping the vent valve to the ‘venting’ position to release any residual pressure.
10. When the beef is tender, thicken the liquid with a cornstarch slurry:
    1. Place 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a small bowl and ladle ¼ cup of the hot liquid from the Instant Pot into the bowl.
    2. Use a whisk to mix the cornstarch into the liquid until dissolved. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the mixture in the Instant Pot.
    3. Press the ‘Cancel’ button and then turn on the ‘Saute’ mode. Stir and let it heat for a few minutes until the liquid thickens.
    4. If you prefer even thicker gravy, repeat the cornstarch slurry step with 2 more tablespoons of cornstarch. The gravy will thicken even more over time and as the recipe cools.

Notes

*Never stir cornstarch directly into a full recipe, as it will create clumps. Instead, make the cornstarch slurry in a small bowl, then stir that into the rest of the ingredients to make a gravy.

Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: 1/6 of the beef and gravy
• Calories: 236
• Fat: 6 g
• (Sat Fat: 3 g)
• Sodium: 627 mg
• Carbohydrate: 11 g
• (Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 3 g)
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 82 mg

Dairy-FreeEgg-FreeGluten-freeNut-free

© The Real Food Dietitians

Yes, you can brown beef tips before placing them in a crockpot. Browning the beef in a skillet over medium-high heat before slow cooking enhances the flavor of the meat and helps lock in moisture. It will caramelize the surface of the beef, adding depth and richness.

After browning, transfer the beef tips to the crockpot and keep adding the other ingredients. This extra step isn’t mandatory but can elevate the overall taste of your dish.

This comfort food goes well with just about everything! Depending on your preferences, you could pair beef tips with:

• Grits/polenta
• Salad
• Steamed vegetables
• Rice or cauliflower rice
• Dinner rolls
• Pasta
• Mashed parsnips
• Mashed sweet potatoes

We found that the best results come from 6-8 hours on low. However, you can cook this dish for 4 hours on high if you’re short on time.

If you’re in a real hurry, follow our Instant Pot directions for a total cook time of just over 30 minutes.