If you’re craving a cozy, comforting dinner that practically cooks itself, I’ve got just the thing. This Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy Recipe is everything you want in a hearty meal: tender beef simmered low and slow in a luscious garlic and thyme-infused sauce that’s perfect over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

A close-up view of thick, rich brown stew with chunks of tender meat coated in a glossy, deep reddish-brown sauce; small pieces of green herbs are scattered on top, adding a touch of fresh color. A wooden spoon holds several pieces of the meat and some of the sauce above the pot, showing a textured and moist surface on the meat with bits of garlic visible in the sauce. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy more times than I can count, especially on those busy days when I want dinner waiting for me at the end of the workday. It’s simple to prepare, but the flavors come out deep and rich — a total winner.

Minimal Prep: Only about 10 minutes of prep time before letting your slow cooker do all the hard work.
Tender, Flavorful Beef: The slow cooking process ensures every bite melts in your mouth.
Versatile Serving Options: Pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes for simple weeknight meals.
Comfort Food Classic: Perfect for chilly evenings, providing that warm, hearty feeling we all crave.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Shopping for ingredients for this dish is a breeze — mostly pantry staples combined with some quality stew meat. Using the right cuts and seasonings makes all the difference here, so let me break down what’s essential and why I love each element.

Flat lay of fresh raw beef stew meat chunks, a small pile of coarse sea salt crystals, black peppercorns scattered neatly, dried thyme sprigs, a small mound of minced garlic cloves, a neat heap of dried onion soup mix powder, a small white ceramic bowl with rich brown beef broth, a small white bowl filled with bright red ketchup, a small white bowl containing dark Worcestershire sauce, and a small white bowl of white cornstarch powder, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Stew Meat: Look for evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking and tenderness throughout.
Salt and Black Pepper: The basic seasoning duo that elevates the natural flavor of the beef.
Dried Thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note that complements the rich meat beautifully.
Minced Garlic: Fresh or pre-minced, garlic brings that irresistible aroma and depth.
Dry Onion Soup Mix: A secret weapon for a savory, layered onion flavor without extra chopping.
Beef Broth: The base of the sauce, contributing richness and moisture as the beef slowly cooks.
Ketchup: Just a touch adds tang and sweetness to balance the savory elements.
Worcestershire Sauce: Brings umami and complexity that deepen the gravy’s flavor.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce to a luscious gravy consistency you’ll want to scoop up every last bit of.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy Recipe is how easy it is to personalize according to your taste and lifestyle. Whether you want to bump up the flavors, adjust for dietary needs, or add seasonal twists, there are plenty of delicious ways to make this classic dish uniquely yours.

Variation: If you’re after deeper, more complex flavor, try searing the beef tips in a hot skillet with a sprinkle of salt and pepper before tossing them into the slow cooker. This extra step adds a beautiful browned crust and richer taste to the finished dish.
Vegetable Boost: Add hearty vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or pearl onions in the last hour of cooking for extra texture and nutrients without overpowering the gravy.
Thicker Gravy: Want your gravy a bit more luxurious? Mix a little extra cornstarch with cold water and stir it in during the last 15 minutes of cooking—this gives you that perfect, glossy thickened sauce.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the entire sauce mixture the evening before and refrigerate it. This simple step cuts down on morning prep and lets flavors meld even more deeply.
Low & Slow is Key: Always cook on low heat for 7-8 hours. This long, gentle simmer tenderizes the beef and melds the seasonings into a hearty, comforting gravy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy Recipe

The image shows a white round bowl held by woman's hands, filled with three layers of food. The bottom layer is creamy white mashed potatoes, the middle layer consists of dark brown chunks of beef with thick brown gravy covering most of the mashed potatoes, and the top layer on one side is bright orange cooked baby carrots sprinkled with small green parsley pieces. The bowl is resting on a white marbled surface with some fresh green parsley scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep the Beef for Tenderness

I start by placing 2 pounds of stew meat right into the bottom of my 6-quart slow cooker. For the juiciest and most tender results, I like to cut the beef into even-sized pieces, about 1 to 2 inches each. This ensures every bite cooks just right. If you want that extra depth, this is when you could sear the beef tips in a hot pan for a few minutes until nicely browned. Otherwise, just move on to mixing the sauce—either way works great!

Step 2: Whisk Up the Flavor-Packed Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the magic mix: 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 3 tablespoons minced garlic, and the entire 1-ounce package of dry onion soup mix. Then add 2 cups beef broth, 3 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Whisk vigorously until everything is smooth and completely combined. This mixture is where the rich, savory gravy flavor really takes shape.

Step 3: Combine and Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic

Pour that beautiful sauce mix right over the beef tips in the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir if you want to make sure everything is evenly coated, but it’s perfectly fine to just leave it as is. Cover with the lid securely and set your slow cooker on low heat. Now the hard part—wait 7 to 8 hours as the beef slowly simmers to tender perfection and the gravy thickens and deepens.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy Your Comfort Meal

After those long hours of slow cooking, your kitchen will smell incredible. Give the beef tips a gentle stir to mix the gravy evenly before serving. Spoon everything over a bed of fluffy rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or your favorite egg noodles. That rich, garlicky gravy combined with tender beef makes for a deeply satisfying main course that's perfect for any cozy dinner.

Top Tip

These tips will help you master the art of making tender, flavorful Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy Recipe every time, ensuring that your meal is a comforting hit with family and friends.

Searing the Beef Tips: I always sear the stew meat in a hot skillet with a bit of olive oil before slow cooking. This step adds a beautiful depth of flavor and a rich brown crust that elevates the final dish.
Cooking on Low Heat: Through trial and error, I learned that slow cooking on low for 7-8 hours makes the beef incredibly tender, whereas high heat can actually toughen the meat.
Mixing Evenly: Whisking the sauce ingredients thoroughly before pouring over the beef ensures every tip is coated with that garlicky, thyme-scented gravy for maximum flavor.
Consistent Beef Sizes: Cutting the stew meat into similar-sized pieces prevents some tips from overcooking while others remain chewy — a simple step that makes a big difference!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy Recipe

A silver frying pan is shown from above with small pieces of beef cooking inside. The beef chunks have browned edges with a mix of pink and red centers, showing they are partially cooked. The pan has some browned bits and oil residue scattered around the meat. The background is a white marbled surface with soft natural light highlighting the shiny metal pan and the texture of the meat. Steam rises gently from the beef. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme leaves not only brightens the plate but adds a lovely herbal note that complements the savory beef tips. A few thinly sliced green onions can also provide a fresh, mild crunch.

Side Dishes

This dish shines served over creamy mashed potatoes, but fluffy white rice or buttered egg noodles are equally comforting. For veggies, steamed green beans, roasted carrots, or a simple mixed greens salad balance the rich gravy perfectly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the beef tender and the gravy flavorful for easy meals later in the week.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully! Allow the beef tips and gravy to cool completely, then transfer into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-top bags. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the beef tips gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the gravy has thickened too much. You can also reheat in the microwave—cover and heat in short bursts, stirring in between.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Yes! While stew meat works great, you can also use chuck roast cut into cubes. Just be sure to cut the pieces evenly to ensure consistent cooking throughout the 7-8 hours on low.

What can I substitute for the dry onion soup mix?

If you don’t have onion soup mix on hand, you can make your own blend using dehydrated onion flakes, garlic powder, beef bouillon granules, and a pinch of herbs like thyme or parsley.

How do I thicken the gravy if it’s too thin?

Mix an extra 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water until smooth, stir it into the slow cooker near the end of cooking, and let it cook for another 10-15 minutes to thicken up nicely.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! One of the best make-ahead tips is to whisk together all the seasoning and sauce ingredients the night before and refrigerate. Then in the morning, just pour over the beef and start the slow cooker.

Final Thoughts

Slow Cooker Beef Tips in Rich Gravy Recipe is one of those timeless comfort meals that warms the soul and fills the kitchen with irresistible aromas. Once you have this recipe mastered, it’s easy to whip up for busy weeknights or cozy weekends alike. I hope these tips and tricks help you create tender, flavorful beef tips that become a go-to in your home. Happy slow cooking and enjoy every savory bite!