Beef Tips

This easy beef tips recipe uses cubes of beef, simmered in a savory, meaty gravy. It’s classic comfort food that’s ideal to make ahead of time.

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Table of Contents

WHAT ARE BEEF TIPS?
EASY BEEF TIPS RECIPE INGREDIENTS
BEEF TIPS RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
HOW TO COOK BEEF TIPS
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE FOR BEEF TIPS
HOW TO SERVE THIS RECIPE FOR BEEF TIPS
Beef Tips FAQ
MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
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Beef tips are tender cubes of beef, served in a rich and flavorful gravy to create a hearty yet inexpensive meal that the whole family will love. The best part about home-cooked beef tips is the smells that waft around the house and make everyone’s mouths water while you’re waiting for the beef to stew.

We like to serve these juicy beef tips over brown rice or creamy mashed potatoes. You might also wish to add a side of your favorite vegetables.

MORE BEEF RECIPES:
Beef Stroganoff | Beef Stew

WHAT ARE BEEF TIPS?

Beef tips are tender chunks of beef that are sauteed in a frying pan and then simmered slowly in a rich gravy.

EASY BEEF TIPS RECIPE INGREDIENTS

beef tips raw ingredients that are labeled

You will need:

3 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
2 pounds of cubed chuck or stew meat
1 medium white onion, diced
3 cups of beef broth, low sodium
1 envelope (55g) of dry onion soup mix
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of cracked black pepper
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
⅓ cup of water
½ tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley

BEEF TIPS RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

CHUCK OR STEW MEAT: Depending on your budget, you could instead use sirloin or tenderloin steak.

BEEF BROTH: You can substitute the broth for beef stock or bouillon cubes if needed.

CORNSTARCH: If you don’t have cornstarch to hand you could use wheat flour, arrowroot, or tapioca.

MUSHROOMS: A cup of sliced cremini or button mushrooms would make a tasty addition to this beef tips recipe. Just add them alongside the onions.

HOW TO COOK BEEF TIPS

PRO TIP:

This recipe can be easily adapted for a crockpot or Instant pot on the slow cooker setting.

STEP ONE: Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large five-quart pot. Brown half of the cubed beef over medium-high heat for seven to nine minutes, until fully-cooked. Place in a bowl and set aside.

beef tips process shot of beef being cooked in a skillet

STEP TWO: Add another tablespoon of oil and repeat for the second half of the beef cubes. Set aside.

STEP THREE: Heat the third tablespoon of oil and add the onions. Saute for two or three minutes, until tender.

STEP FOUR: Place the beef cubes back into the pot. Add the beef broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for one and a half hours.

beef tips process shot of ingredient in a skillet

STEP FIVE: Remove the bay leaf.

STEP SIX: Mix the cornstarch and water in a separate small bowl until the cornstarch has dissolved.

STEP SEVEN: Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pot and stir for two minutes, until thickened.

beef tips process shot of ingredients in a skillet

STEP EIGHT: Sprinkled with parsley.

STEP NINE: Serve hot.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE FOR BEEF TIPS

IN THE FRIDGE: Cooked beef tips in gravy can be stored in the fridge for up to three days in a sealed storage container. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze cooked beef tips and gravy for up to three months in an airtight container. Defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.

close up overhead shot of beef tips garnished with parsley on a wooden spoon

The best recipe for beef tips creates a tender beef dish that is simmered in a delicious gravy. This is perfect comfort food for a cool evening and yummy served over mashed potatoes.

HOW TO SERVE THIS RECIPE FOR BEEF TIPS

Beef tips are delicious served over top of mashed potatoes with a serving of sauteed vegetables or a salad on the side. Add dinner rolls or crusty bread to mop up all the tasty gravy.

Beef Tips FAQ

What cut of beef is Beef Tips?

Beef tips are usually the tender parts of the tenderloin top. They can also be sirloin tips that come from larger roasts and are often sold as stew meat.

Are beef tips and stew meat the same?

Stew meat tends to be a tougher cut of meat than beef tips, but they can often be used interchangeably.

How long does beef tips take to cook?

It takes about 1.5 hours to cook beef tips on the stove top.

Can you make this beef tips recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the meat and gravy ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat on low on the stove top until heated through.

How do you make beef tips tender?

Giving the beef tips enough time to simmer and soften in the pan will produce meat that is nice and tender.

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Easy Beef Tips Recipe

5 from 19 votes

This easy beef tips recipe uses cubes of beef, simmered in a savory, meaty gravy. It’s classic comfort food that’s ideal to make ahead of time.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 10

Servings

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Ingredients

3 tbsp olive oil divided
2 lb cubed chuck meat or stew meat
1 medium white onion diced
3 cups beef broth low sodium
1 envelope dry onion soup mix 55g
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/3 cup water
1/2 tbsp parsley freshly chopped

Instructions

Place 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large 5 QT pot. Add in half the cubed beef and brown over medium-high heat until fully cooked, about 7 to 9 minutes. Place cooked beef cubes in a separate bowl and set them aside for now.
Repeat the steps by adding in the second tablespoon of olive oil and the other half of the beef cubes. Again, once cooked place these cooked cubes in a separate bowl with the rest of the cooked meat.
Add the third tablespoon of olive oil into the same pot then add in onions and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the beef cubes back in plus beef broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to mix. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 ½ hours.
Remove bay leaf.
Mix cornstarch and water in a separate small bowl until cornstarch has melted.
Pour the cornstarch mixture into the beef mixture and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes.
Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Serve hot.

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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