Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy is a comforting, melt-in-your-mouth dish that starts with tender beef tips slowly simmered in a rich, savory gravy. This recipe captures the essence of comfort food, offering a hassle-free, hands-off cooking experience that fills your home with irresistible aromas. Ideal for hectic weekdays or relaxing weekends, this dish brings a gourmet feel to your table with barely any work. Whether you’re feeding a family or preparing a cozy meal for two, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Let’s dive in and discover why this dish is so beloved!
Reasons to Adore These Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
This recipe checks every comfort-food box. The beef becomes incredibly tender after hours of low-and-slow cooking, while the creamy mushroom gravy adds richness and depth. It’s a complete meal in one pot, with minimal prep and cleanup. Plus, the slow cooker allows you to set it and forget it—perfect for those days when you want homemade flavor without the fuss. You’ll love how effortlessly luxurious it tastes, making it ideal for both busy nights and special gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 2 pounds beef steak tips
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (or Cantanzaro herbs)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup beef bone broth
- One 10.5-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup (reduced fat and sodium version)
- 1 (0.87 oz) packet brown gravy mix
- 8 oz button mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
Step-by-Step: How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
- Prep & Season Beef
In a bowl, toss your steak tips with salt, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, and freshly ground black pepper. - Sear the Beef
Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a heavy cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, sear the beef tips in batches until browned on all sides—this step builds flavor through caramelization. - Transfer to Slow Cooker
Place the browned steak tips into the bowl of your slow cooker. - Mix the Gravy
In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef bone broth, cream of mushroom soup, and brown gravy mix until smooth. - Combine & Add Mushrooms
Drizzle the prepared gravy over the beef in the slow cooker, then top it with the chopped mushrooms. - Slow Cook
Secure the lid and slow cook for 8 hours on Low or 5 hours on High, depending on your time frame. The beef should be fork-tender and the gravy perfectly thickened. - Serve
Dish it up warm, generously ladling the rich gravy over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t skip searing: Browning the beef tips enhances flavor dramatically. It’s worth the few extra minutes.
- For a perfect sear: Cook the beef in small batches to prevent crowding and ensure browning instead of steaming.
- Gravy consistency: If your gravy is too thin toward the end, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the slow cooker. Allow the slow cooker to run on High for an additional 10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Mushroom swap: Prefer cremini or baby bella mushrooms? They add a deeper flavor and can be used interchangeably.
- Slow cooker heat: Every crockpot is slightly different. If your slow cooker runs hot, shorten cook time by about 30 minutes.
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein options: You can replace the beef tips with stew meat, diced chuck roast, or even pork shoulder cubes.
- Soup substitute: Use cream of chicken or celery soup if you dislike mushrooms or want a different flavor profile.
- Herb mix: Customize the seasoning by using thyme, rosemary, or poultry seasoning instead of Italian herbs.
- Wine upgrade: Replace ½ cup of bone broth with dry red wine for a richer gravy.
- Vegetable add-ins: Consider adding baby carrots, diced onions, or peas during the last hour of cooking for extra nutrition and color.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The flavors meld and deepen—ideal for make-ahead lunches.
- Freezer: Cool completely, then freeze in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring now and then until it thickens. You can also microwave single servings, covering them to retain moisture.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 375
- Total Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 112 mg
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1 g
- Total Sugars: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Vitamin C: 1 mg
- Calcium: 56 mg
- Iron: 3 mg
- Potassium: 530 mg
These values reflect a satisfying, protein-rich meal that offers balanced macros with minimal carbs—making it a great option for anyone watching their carb intake without sacrificing flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic pairing: Serve over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up every bit of gravy.
- Pasta companion: Spoon over egg noodles or even buttered pappardelle for a hearty twist.
- Rice bowl: Try jasmine or wild rice for an alternative base.
- Veggie side: Balance by adding roasted asparagus, green beans, or a crisp side salad.
- Bread dunking tool: Warm crusty bread, dinner rolls, or garlic toast soak up the sauce beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
Q: Can I skip searing the beef?
A: Technically yes, but searing adds caramelized flavor and enhances the overall taste. If you do skip it, your dish may lack depth.
Q: Can I use dry mushrooms instead of fresh?
A: Yes! Use ½ ounce of dried mushrooms, rehydrated in hot water (reserve the liquid), and add it to the slow cooker along with 8 oz of fresh mushrooms or on its own. The soak water adds umami.
Q: Does cream of mushroom soup contain a lot of fat?
A: Not at all—this reduced-fat version still delivers a velvety texture without the excess fat.
Q: How can I fix gravy that’s too thin?
A: Reheat it slowly on the stovetop over low heat, stirring now and then until it thickens.
Q: What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
A: Gently reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can add a splash of water or broth to maintain consistency. Microwaving works too—just cover to avoid drying out.
Conclusion
Thank you so much for trying my Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy—this dish brings me so much joy every time I make it. The ease of throwing everything into the slow cooker and coming back to a hearty, flavorful meal is one of my favorite kitchen joys. I hope it brings warmth and comfort to your table, too. Enjoy the rich gravy, tender beef, and simple satisfaction this dish delivers. Happy cooking, and thank you for being part of our food-loving community—here’s to many more delicious meals ahead!
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Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy is a tender, savory dish that’s full of rich flavor and easy to prepare. Just a few pantry ingredients and your slow cooker do all the work. Great over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice—this recipe is a cozy classic your family will ask for again and again!
Ingredients
2 tsp oil
2 lbs beef steak tips
½ tsp salt
½ tsp granulated garlic
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 cup beef bone broth
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup (98% fat-free, lower sodium)
1 (0.87 oz) packet brown gravy mix
8 oz button mushrooms, quartered
Instructions
Toss beef tips with salt, garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper.
Sear beef in batches in oil over medium-high heat until browned.
Place beef into a slow cooker.
In a bowl, whisk broth, soup, and gravy mix until smooth.
Pour gravy over beef and add mushrooms on top.
Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 5 hours.
Stir and serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Notes
For thicker gravy, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water) during the last 10 minutes on High.
Substitute beef with pork shoulder or stew meat as needed.
Use reduced-fat cream of chicken soup for a mushroom-free option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (Low) or 5 hours (High)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Protein: 32g