Beef Tips with Rich Gravy: Comforting Slow Cooker Dinner

Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe is one of those meals that feels like a warm, comforting hug after a long day. I love how it’s hands-off but rewards you with tender beef swimming in a deeply flavorful gravy—you’ll find yourself sneaking bites right from the pot!

The image shows a close-up of a rich brown stew with thick gravy, filled with tender, chunky pieces of meat coated in the sauce. The stew has small bits of green herbs scattered throughout, adding a touch of color contrast. A wooden spoon is lifting a portion of the stew, holding several large chunks of meat that glisten under the light, highlighting the smooth and shiny texture of the sauce. The background features the same stew, giving a sense of depth and fullness. The overall color palette is deep brown with subtle green accents on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe quickly became a weeknight favorite for me. It’s foolproof, incredibly tender, and packs so much flavor without needing hours of babysitting. Plus, it makes the house smell like your favorite cozy diner.

Set It and Forget It: Toss everything in the slow cooker, and hours later you get melt-in-your-mouth beef with minimal effort.
Rich, Homemade Gravy: The sauce thickens beautifully, making every bite lush and satisfying without any complicated steps.
Affordable Comfort Food: Uses simple ingredients that won’t break the bank but deliver on big taste.
Versatility: Pairs perfectly with rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles—so you can flex it to what your family loves most.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe has its part in creating a balanced, rich dish. The beef stew meat becomes juicy and tender, while the garlic, thyme, and onion soup mix build layers of savory goodness. Here’s why each one matters:

Flat lay of fresh raw beef stew meat chunks, a small pile of coarse salt crystals, a small mound of whole black peppercorns, a few dried thyme sprigs, a small heap of minced fresh garlic, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with brown dry onion soup mix powder, a small white ceramic bowl with rich dark brown beef broth, a small white ceramic bowl holding glossy red ketchup, a small white ceramic bowl containing thick dark Worcestershire sauce, and a small white ceramic bowl with fine white cornstarch powder, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Stew Meat: You want pieces that’re fairly even in size so they all cook uniformly and become super tender.
Salt and Black Pepper: Basic, but essential to bring out every flavor in the beef and gravy.
Dried Thyme: Adds a subtle earthiness that complements the meat without overpowering it.
Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic wakes up the gravy with its aromatic punch.
Dry Onion Soup Mix: It’s like a secret ingredient that adds depth and a hint of sweetness.
Beef Broth: Makes the gravy rich and helps infuse flavor throughout the cooking time.
Ketchup: A touch of acidity and sweetness that rounds out the gravy perfectly.
Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy, umami boost that you might not expect but will love.
Cornstarch: Thickens the gravy to that perfect, luscious texture.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I usually keep it classic, but sometimes I throw in extra mushrooms or a splash of red wine for a grown-up touch. You can make it your own!

Variation: When I need a bit more texture, I add sliced mushrooms about halfway through cooking—they soak up the gravy beautifully and add earthiness.
For Gluten-Free Options: Swap the cornstarch for arrowroot powder and make sure your onion soup mix doesn’t have gluten-containing ingredients.
Make It Spicy: If you love a kick, toss in a pinch of cayenne or some chopped jalapeño with the garlic.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe

A white bowl held by a woman's hands contains a meal with three main layers. On one side, there are bright orange cooked baby carrots topped with small green parsley pieces. The middle layer is creamy white mashed potatoes with a soft and smooth texture, partially covered by a thick dark brown beef stew with visible chunks of beef in rich sauce scattered with parsley bits. The bowl rests on a white marbled surface with green parsley leaves around it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Beef and Seasonings

Start by placing your stew meat right into the slow cooker. I always eyeball the pieces for size—as uniform as possible ensures they cook evenly. In a separate bowl, whisk together your salt, pepper, thyme, garlic, onion soup mix, beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this rich mixture all over the beef. It’s the base of that gravy you’ll be dreaming about.

Step 2: Slow Cook Low and Slow

Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 7 to 8 hours. Yes, the wait is long, but it’s so worth it—the low and slow heat breaks down the connective tissues, leaving you with beef so tender it nearly melts in your mouth. Resist the urge to peek too often; patience is key for the perfect texture and gravy thickness.

Step 3: Optional Sear for Extra Flavor

For an even deeper flavor, I sometimes sear the beef tips in a hot skillet with a little butter or olive oil before adding them to the crockpot. Just a few minutes browning each side builds those rich caramelized notes that really take the gravy up a notch.

Step 4: Thicken Your Gravy (If Needed)

If the gravy isn’t quite thick enough for your taste when the cooking time is up, no worries! Mix a little extra cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then stir it in. Let it cook an extra 10-15 minutes, and you’ll get the luscious coating you want.

Top Tip

After making this Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe a dozen times, these tips helped me level up my results—whether it’s for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner.

Sear First: Browning the beef before slow cooking adds a depth of flavor worth the extra 10 minutes.
Even Pieces: Cut your beef into uniform sizes to avoid some pieces being overcooked while others remain chewy.
Slow Cooker Temperature: Always cook on low if you can—it’s the secret to tender, fork-tender meat and rich gravy.
Patience with Gravy: Resist the urge to rush thickening—give the cornstarch slurry a little time to fully activate and thicken the sauce.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe

A shiny silver frying pan with a few small pieces of seared meat scattered inside, each piece showing a mix of pink and browned colors from cooking. The meat pieces are uneven in shape, with browned edges and some light sear marks on top. The pan sits on a white marbled surface, and faint steam rises from the meat, giving a fresh cooked feeling. A worn, slightly tarnished handle with a gold

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top—not only does it add a pop of color, but the fresh herbiness balances out the richness of the gravy. Sometimes a few thinly sliced green onions add a mild crunch and another layer of flavor.

Side Dishes

This recipe goes hand-in-hand with creamy mashed potatoes, classic buttered noodles, or fluffy white rice. My personal fave? Mashed potatoes—they soak up every bit of that luscious gravy, making each bite incredibly satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve layered slow cooker beef tips over garlic mashed potatoes in a pretty shallow bowl and added roasted root vegetables around the edges to dress it up. It looks rustic but elegant and always impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I place leftovers in airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld beautifully overnight, so it often tastes even better the next day.

Freezing

This recipe freezes really well. I portion the beef tips with gravy into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to avoid drying out the beef. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the gravy thickens too much while warming.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Absolutely! Stew meat is great because it’s affordable and becomes tender with slow cooking, but you could also use chuck roast cut into chunks. Just remember similar-sized pieces for even cooking.

How do I make the gravy thicker if it’s too runny?

Mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry and stir it into the slow cooker near the end of cooking. Let it cook for 10-15 more minutes, and the gravy will thicken up nicely.

Can I skip the slow cooker and make this on the stove?

You can, though the slow cooker truly gives it that perfect fall-apart tenderness. To make it on the stove, simmer beef tips in the gravy mixture covered on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until beef is tender.

What’s the best way to serve leftover beef tips?

Leftover beef tips are fantastic served over leftover mashed potatoes, rice, or even inside a bun as a hot beef sandwich. Reheat gently to keep the meat tender and gravy luscious.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Rich Gravy Recipe is one of those dishes I turn to when I want something satisfying but simple. It’s the kind of meal that brings comfort, feeds a crowd, and makes your kitchen smell irresistible. I can’t wait for you to try it—you’ll make it again and again, just like I do.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way