Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a hands-off dinner solution or just someone who appreciates melt-in-your-mouth meat, these Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy will quickly become a family favorite.
I love how the beef transforms into tender, succulent morsels after a low, slow simmer in rich gravy. The halal beef and seasonings create deep, complex flavors that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, when really, your slow cooker did all the heavy lifting.
Perfect for those days when I need dinner ready when I walk through the door, tired and hungry. Who doesn’t want restaurant-quality comfort food with minimal effort?
What Ingredients are in Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy?
Making these beef tips and gravy in your slow cooker couldn’t be simpler, and the result is a hearty, comforting meal that feels like it came from grandma’s kitchen.
The beauty of this recipe lies in how everyday ingredients transform into something special when they’ve time to mingle and develop their flavors. I’m particularly fond of the combination of seasonings that create layers of savory goodness without requiring anything fancy from your spice cabinet.
For the Beef Tips:
- 2 pounds halal beef stew meat or chuck roast (cut into chunks)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
For the Gravy:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups halal beef broth
- 3 tablespoons halal Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional for depth of flavor)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water (to mix with cornstarch)
When shopping for this recipe, the quality of your beef makes a significant difference in the final dish. Look for well-marbled pieces if possible, as they’ll break down beautifully during the long cooking process.
And while the recipe calls for halal beef and broth, you can certainly use whatever variety you prefer or have access to. The soy sauce is listed as optional, but I find it adds a wonderful umami boost that rounds out the flavor profile—worth adding if you have it in your pantry.
Don’t have dried herbs? Fresh work wonderfully too, just double the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.
How to Make These Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
Starting with properly seasoned meat is the secret to these incredible beef tips.
Begin by patting 2 pounds of beef stew meat or chuck roast chunks dry with paper towels—this helps the seasoning stick and promotes better browning. Sprinkle the meat with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon paprika, tossing to coat each piece evenly.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the seasoned beef in batches (overcrowding is the enemy of good browning, trust me). Sear for about 2-3 minutes per side until you get that gorgeous caramelization. While this step is technically optional, I’d argue it’s worth those extra minutes for the depth of flavor it brings. Transfer your browned beef to the slow cooker.
Now for the gravy components that will transform this dish into something magical.
Scatter 1 medium diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves over the beef in your slow cooker. Pour in 1½ cups halal beef broth, 3 tablespoons halal Worcestershire sauce, and that optional but highly recommended tablespoon of soy sauce. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon dried thyme and 1 teaspoon dried parsley, then give everything a gentle stir to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and practically melts in your mouth.
About 30 minutes before serving, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl until smooth, then stir this slurry into the slow cooker. This thickening step takes the thin cooking liquid and transforms it into that rich, luscious gravy that makes this dish so comforting.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Substitutions and Variations
While the basic recipe for these beef tips is absolutely delicious, I love that it’s incredibly adaptable to what you have on hand or your dietary preferences.
Can’t find beef chuck? Sirloin tips work wonderfully, or even venison for you hunters out there.
Not a beef fan? Try it with chicken thighs and chicken broth instead. For a richer gravy, swap half the broth for red wine or add mushrooms halfway through cooking.
Dairy-free? Skip the butter finishing touch and use olive oil. My husband prefers it with added bell peppers, while I sometimes throw in baby potatoes.
The versatility makes this recipe a permanent fixture in my meal rotation.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
These tender, juicy beef tips deserve the perfect companions on your dinner table.
I always serve mine over creamy mashed potatoes, letting that rich gravy soak into every bite. Egg noodles or rice work beautifully too, catching all that savory sauce.
For veggies, I go with roasted carrots, steamed green beans, or a simple side salad.
Sometimes I’ll add buttery dinner rolls for sopping up extra gravy—because wasting that liquid gold would be criminal.
My secret weekend upgrade? A glass of bold red wine.
The tannins cut through the richness, creating balance that’ll make you close your eyes with each bite.
Final Thoughts
After preparing this slow cooker beef tips recipe countless times, I’m convinced it’s the perfect comfort food for busy families. The tender beef swimming in rich, savory gravy never fails to bring smiles to my dinner table.
What I love most is how versatile it is. Serve it over mashed potatoes today, rice tomorrow, and egg noodles the next day — it’s like getting three different meals from one cooking session.
The hands-off nature makes it my go-to for hectic weeknights or lazy weekends when I’d rather be doing anything but standing over a hot stove.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, tossing to coat evenly.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic over the beef in the slow cooker.
- Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce (if using). Add dried thyme and parsley. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
- About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Stir into the slow cooker to thicken the gravy.
