Crockpot Beef Tips and Gravy

There are some dinners that just belong over a pile of mashed potatoes, and these crockpot beef tips are one of them. Tender beef cooks low and slow in an easy French onion gravy, and the whole thing comes together with just 6 simple ingredients and very little work from you.

This is exactly the kind of comfort food dinner I want once the weather starts cooling down. There's no meat to brown, no cream of mushroom soup, and no long ingredient list to deal with before you can get everything into the slow cooker.

As a dietitian, I'm all for making dinner work a little harder without making it complicated. Spoon these beef tips and plenty of gravy over mashed potatoes, add green beans or another easy vegetable on the side, and you've got a cozy, satisfying dinner everyone can dig into.

If you're looking for more easy slow cooker dinners, try my French onion chicken or creamy chicken Alfredo tortellini next.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for busy evenings: Get it going earlier in the day, then come back to a dinner that only needs a quick finishing step before serving.
• Family-friendly comfort food: Tender beef and savory gravy are familiar enough for picky eaters but still feel a little more special than the usual weeknight dinner.
• Easy to round out: Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles and add a simple vegetable on the side for a complete meal.
• Great for leftovers: The beef reheats well, making this a solid option for meal prep or an easy dinner the next day.
• Cool-weather favorite: This is exactly the kind of warm, hearty meal that hits the spot during fall and winter.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Tips

We're letting a few ingredients build all that savory beef-and-gravy flavor, so you don't need a long grocery list for this one.

• Beef tips: Look for beef tips or pre-cut beef stew meat with a little visible marbling, which helps the beef become tender during slow cooking.
• Onion: Yellow or sweet onion softens into the gravy and adds another layer of savory onion flavor.
• Tomato paste: A small amount adds richness and depth without making the gravy taste tomato-heavy.
• French onion soup mix: This shortcut does a lot of the seasoning work, so I recommend waiting until the end before adding extra salt.
• Beef broth: Low-sodium beef broth gives you more control over the final saltiness, especially when using a seasoning packet.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the cooking liquid at the end into a gravy that actually clings to the beef and mashed potatoes.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions & Variations

The ingredient list is intentionally simple, but there are still a few easy ways to make these beef tips work with what you have.

• If you can't find meat labeled beef tips, beef stew meat works well and saves you from having to cut up a larger roast yourself.
• For even more savory flavor, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the broth before cooking.
• If your family loves mushrooms, sliced mushrooms can be added to the slow cooker even though this version doesn't require them.
• You can give the gravy a little extra richness by stirring in a small pat of butter once it has thickened.
• For a little extra color, fresh parsley makes an easy garnish right before serving without changing the flavor of the dish.

How to Make Easy Crockpot Beef Tips Recipe

This really is a put-it-in-the-slow-cooker kind of dinner, with only a quick cornstarch slurry needed toward the end.

Step 1: Add the beef tips, chopped onion, tomato paste, French onion seasoning, and beef broth to the slow cooker.

Step 2: Stir everything together until the beef is evenly coated in the broth and seasoning mixture.

Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.

Step 4: About 20 to 30 minutes before serving, whisk the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl until completely smooth.

Step 5: Stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker, cover, and turn the slow cooker to HIGH if it isn't already.

Step 6: Cook for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the gravy has thickened, then stir well and taste before adding any extra seasoning.

Step 7: Serve the beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Tips for the Best Crockpot Beef Tips

Slow cooker recipes are pretty forgiving, but these little details can make the difference between just-okay beef tips and the bowl everyone goes back for.

• For the most tender beef, cook the beef tips until they're truly fork-tender rather than relying only on the clock, since the exact time can vary by cut and slow cooker.
• Don't rush to add more salt because the French onion seasoning can be plenty salty, especially once the cooking liquid reduces and concentrates.
• For lump-free gravy, whisk the cornstarch with cold liquid first and make sure the mixture is completely smooth before stirring it into the slow cooker.
• If your gravy still looks thin, give the cornstarch enough time to work by keeping the slow cooker covered on HIGH for another 10 to 15 minutes.
• If the gravy becomes thicker than you like, stir in a splash of warm beef broth until it reaches the consistency you want.
• Try not to repeatedly remove the lid during cooking because every peek releases heat and can extend the cooking time.

Storage

These beef tips hold up really well for leftovers, and the gravy may thicken a little as it sits.

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooled beef tips and gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best texture.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave in short intervals, stirring between each one until warmed through. Reheat larger portions on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if the gravy has become too thick.
• Meal Prep: Portion the beef tips with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles into individual containers for easy lunches or dinners later in the week.