Beef Tips and Gravy

Beef Tips and Gravy is a family-favorite recipe that is as comforting as it is delicious! Our easy to make beef tips recipe is tender and smothered with brown gravy.

Homemade savory Beef Tips and Gravy makes the perfect cold-weather family meal.
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This scrumptious recipe is sponsored by the Certified Angus Beef ® brand in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own. #ad #Steakholder #BestAngusBeef

This time of year in New England, the weather is unpredictable. One day the sun is shining and you’re thinking Spring is finally here, and then next day the meteorologists are calling for a foot of snow. On cold snowy days, I love serving Beef Tips and Gravy, also sometimes called smothered beef tips.  There’s just something so comforting about it!  This is not a fast recipe so it’s a good one for the weekend.

Speaking of the weekends, I use my Menu Planner and Grocery List Printable Set to get organized for the week ahead.  It saves me time and money because I know exactly what I need from the store, and I can prep a few items for the busy week ahead.  You can download the set for free, and if you need a few ideas to get started, check out our Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast, which is a favorite for Sunday Supper as well. For more ideas on getting meals on the table quickly, check out my Busy Moms Survival Guide. You’re definitely going to want to to save this beef tips recipe!

Beef Tips and Gravy Shopping List

• 2lbs Certified Angus Beef ® brand cubed stew meat
• small onion
• fresh garlic
• beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• beef bouillon concentrate or beef bouillon cube

from the pantry: extra virgin olive oil, bay leaf, salt and pepper, flour, browning sauce

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• cutting board and good knife
• dutch oven
• mixing bowl
• wooden spoon, tongs, whisk, ladle
• serving dish

For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.

What’s the Best cut for Beef Tips and Gravy?

While this recipe isn’t a stew, it is stew meat that works best in beef tips and gravy.  Look for 3/4 to 1-1/2 inch pieces of stew meat at your local grocer, or ask the butcher.  These pieces are commonly cut from the sirloin, but may also be from other cuts.  I look for Certified Angus Beef ® brand extra lean stew meat, which I pick up at Market Basket.  Certified Angus Beef ® brand is my go-to for all cuts because I know it’s premium beef.

Marinate the Beef

This step is really important for super flavorful and tender smothered beef tips!  I love using my covered baking dish for this step. 

1. Add the beef to the baking dish and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the beef bouillon concentrate or crushed bouillon cube with the Worcestershire sauce.
3. Add the chopped onions and garlic into the bowl and mix.
4. Spoon the Worcestershire mixture over everything in the dish.
5. Toss to combine all the ingredients.
6. Cover and put in the refrigerator to marinate for one hour.  For best results, marinate overnight.

How To Make Stove Top Beef Tips and Gravy

For the stew meat to get tender, you need at least 2 hours on the stove top.  It starts by searing the meat, which adds flavor and helps to seal in the juices.  You might think you can skip this step, but it makes a big difference.  The best way to sear the stew meat is to work in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan.  Add half the oil and get the pan super hot, then add half the beef. You’re looking for a quick sear on the outside, then turn each piece using a set of tongs.

Here’s how to put it all together:

1. Add 1-1/2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add half of the beef to the pan and sear on all sides, turning with a set of tongs.
3. Remove the first batch of meat and set aside.
4. Add the rest of the oil, and repeat the searing process with the remaining beef.
5. Remove the beef from the pan.
6. Deglaze the pan with the beef stock, using a whisk or wooden spoon to get all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan.
7. Return the meat to the pot, and reduce heat to medium-low.
8. Simmer for 2 hours until the meat is tender.

How to Make the Best Brown Gravy

While the beef is the star of the show, it wouldn’t be much of a dish without the gravy – after all, this is a Beef Tips and Gravy recipe! It’s tempting to used store-bought gravy, but homemade is super easy and adds so much rich flavor. Remove the beef from the Dutch Oven and you can add your gravy starter right into that pot. It all starts with a simple roux.

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of butter.
2. Add 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and whisk into the butter.
3. Cook the roux 2-3 minutes. The mixture should be golden brown and bubbly.
4. Using a ladle or measuring cup, add about 1 cup of the beef tips cooking liquid to the saucepan and whisk.
5. Once the mixture is smooth, add a second cup of liquid.
6. Pour the gravy starter into the pot with the rest of the cooking liquid.
7. Whisk until the gravy starter is completely incorporated and the gravy is smooth.
8. Add 1 tablespoon browning sauce (optional).
9. Taste for seasoning, and add salt and pepper as needed.

Now you’re almost done with the smothered beef tips!  Add the tender tips back into the pot.  Allow it to cook a couple more minutes, then serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

Beef Tips and Gravy Slow Cooker Instructions

To make smothered beef tips a weeknight dish, make the marinade the night before.  In the morning, quickly brown the meat in a skillet, then add it into the slow cooker.  Deglaze the pan with the beef stock and pour that on top of the meat.  Add a bay leaf and set the slow cooker for 8 hours on low.  Follow the instructions above to make the gravy as directed.

How to Serve Beef Tips and Gravy

My favorite way to serve this meal with with creamy mashed potatoes, but if you’re short on time, egg noodles are a great substitute.  Because beef tips and gravy are rich and savory, I recommend serving them with a bright slightly sweet vegetable such as carrots, sweet corn, beets or petite baby peas.  Warm dinner rolls are great for scooping up the last of the yummy gravy, too!

What to do with Beef Tips and Gravy Leftovers

These beef tips and gravy are just as good the next day, but here are some ideas if you want to get creative:

1. Make a vegetable beef soup by shredding the tips and adding 2 cups of beef stock to thin out the gravy into a broth.  Mix in your favorite vegetables such as green beans, potatoes, and corn.
2. Add cooked bite-sized root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips or even squash for a beef tip root veggie stew.

More Delicious Recipes:

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• Grilled Teriyaki Beef Kabobs
• Instant Pot Beef Stew
• Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Beef Tips and Gravy

Gather up the whole family for a big bowl of beef tips and gravy!  It makes for an amazing comfort food meal, and the leftovers are just as good the next day!

Stove Top Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

Our Beef Tips and Gravy recipe makes tender flavorful beef with rich brown gravy. This family favorite is a must-have in your dinner rotation!

5 from 3 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beef tips and gravy

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Marinate: 1 hour

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Author: Ang Paris

Ingredients

Beef Tips

• 2 pounds Certified Angus Beef ® brand Stew Beef, cubed
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small Onion, diced
• 8 oz fresh Mushrooms, sliced optional
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 cups low sodium Beef Broth
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 teaspoon beef bouillon concentrate, or 1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
• 1 Bay Leaf
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Brown Gravy

• 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup Butter
• Reserved cooking liquid
• 1 tablespoon Browning sauce optional
• salt to taste
• fresh ground pepper, to taste

For Serving

• Mashed Potatoes or Egg Noodles

Instructions

For the Marinade

• In a small bowl, mix together the beef bouillon concentrate (or crushed bouillon cube) with the Worcestershire sauce.
  
• Add in the onions and garlic and stir to combine.
  
• Add the stew meat to a large dish and season with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. 
  
• Add the Worcestershire mixture to the meat. Toss to coat all the meat in the seasonings.  Cover and refrigerate 1 hour, up to overnight.
  

Beef Tips

• If you are including mushrooms, cook them in olive oil until tender. Remove from the pot and set aside.
  
• Add half the extra virgin olive oil in a large Dutch Oven over medium high heat.
  
• Add half the beef to the pan and sear.  Turn the pieces as needed. Remember this step is about flavor, not cooking the meat through.  Remove and set aside.
  
• Add the rest of the oil and repeat with the rest of the meat, then remove the second half of the beef from the Dutch Oven.
  
• Add the beef stock to the Dutch Oven to deglaze the pan.  Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any bits that are stuck on the bottom.
  
• Return all the beef to the Dutch Oven and add 1 bay leaf.  If you are using mushrooms, also add those back to the pot.
  
• Cover and simmer the beef tips and gravy on low for 90-120 minutes until the beef is fork tender.
  

Brown Gravy

• Remove the meat from the Dutch Oven and set aside, leaving the cooking liquid in the pan.
  
• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  
• Make a roux: Add the flour and whisk together with the butter.  Cook 2-3 minutes until the mixture is well combined, bubbly and begins to turn golden brown.
  
• Add 1 cup of the cooking liquid to the roux and whisk to combine. Repeat with 1 more cup.
  
• Add the gravy mixture into the Dutch Oven and whisk to thicken the rest of the cooking liquid. 
  
• Remove the bay leaf and discard.
  
• Taste the gravy and add salt and pepper to taste.
  
• Add the beef back to the Dutch Oven and let simmer another 5 minutes before serving over mashed potatoes or egg noddles.
  
• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
  

Notes

Beef Tips and Gravy Slow Cooker Instructions

To make this a weeknight dish, make the marinade the night before.  In the morning, quickly brown the meat in a skillet, then add it into the slow cooker.  Deglaze the pan with the beef stock and pour that on top of the meat.  Add a bay leaf and set the slow cooker for 8 hours on low.  Follow the instructions above to make the gravy as directed.

Making Beef Tips and Gravy on the stove top is easy and oh-so-very delicious!
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If you love serving your family meals made with the #BestAngusBeef, check out these recipes from Certified Angus Beef.