If you're craving a warm, hearty meal that's easy to throw together, this Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is exactly what you need. Tender chunks of beef cooked low and slow in a rich onion soup and beef broth gravy make every bite pure comfort.

This image shows a close-up of a rich brown stew with chunks of tender meat coated in thick sauce. The stew has small green herb pieces sprinkled throughout, adding a slight contrast to the dark brown color. A wooden spoon is lifting a few pieces of the meat, showing the juicy texture and shiny sauce that covers each piece. The background is filled with more of the stew, glossy with liquid and small bits of herbs visible all over 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 and Gravy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made this slow cooker beef tips and gravy more times than I can count, and it never disappoints. The way the flavors meld together after hours in the slow cooker is simply magic, and it’s such a crowd-pleaser.

Simplicity: Toss everything in your slow cooker, set it, and forget it until dinner’s ready.
Flavor-packed: The combination of onion soup mix, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs creates an irresistible gravy.
Versatility: Perfect served over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes—choose your favorite comfort base.
Tender Beef Every Time: Slow cooking breaks down the meat perfectly for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Gathering the right ingredients makes this dish a breeze. I love using stew meat that's evenly sized for consistent cooking, and a good quality beef broth really elevates the gravy.

Flat lay of a generous pile of fresh raw beef stew meat cubes, a few whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl with minced garlic, a small white bowl filled with coarse salt, another with black peppercorns, a small white bowl holding dried thyme leaves, a neat mound of dry onion soup mix powder on a white plate, a small white bowl filled with rich dark beef broth, a small white bowl with glossy red ketchup, a small white bowl holding dark Worcestershire sauce, and a small white bowl containing fine white cornstarch, all arranged symmetrically and balanced with perfect proportions, placed 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: Choose flavorful, evenly cut pieces so they cook uniformly and stay tender.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning, they enhance the natural beef flavor.
Dried thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note that complements the rich gravy.
Garlic (minced): Brings warmth and depth to the savory sauce.
Dry onion soup mix: The secret ingredient for that classic, rich onion flavor in the gravy.
Beef broth: Provides the liquid base and deep beefy flavor for the sauce.
Ketchup: A hint of sweetness and acidity balances the savory components.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami richness and complexity to the gravy.
Cornstarch: Thickens the gravy for that luscious, silky finish.

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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 and Gravy Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you like your gravy thicker, your beef extra savory, or want to add a seasonal twist, there’s plenty of room to make this your own cozy, comforting dish.

Variation: If you want a deeper, richer flavor, try searing the beef tips in a hot skillet with a little butter or olive oil before placing them in the slow cooker. This adds a beautiful browned crust and intensifies the taste—my family swears by this extra step!
Vegetable Boost: Toss in some chopped mushrooms, carrots, or pearl onions to the slow cooker for extra texture and nutrition. I find mushrooms add a savory earthiness that pairs perfectly with the onion soup mix.
Thicker Gravy: For a gravy with more body, mix additional cornstarch with cold water to make a smooth slurry and stir it in about 30 minutes before serving. This trick helps you get that velvety consistency everyone loves.
Make Ahead: To save time on busy days, prepare the seasoning and broth mixture the night before and refrigerate it. This way, when you start cooking, all you have to do is pour it over the beef and let the slow cooker do its magic.
Low and Slow: Cooking on low heat for 7 to 8 hours ensures the beef becomes wonderfully tender by breaking down the connective tissue. Resist the urge to speed up the process with high heat—you’ll be rewarded with melt-in-your-mouth beef tips.

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

A white bowl holds a meal with three distinct layers: on the left, a pile of bright orange cooked baby carrots sprinkled with small green herb pieces; on the right, a layer of creamy white mashed potatoes topped with brown gravy and chunky beef pieces mixed in, garnished with small green herbs. The bowl is held by two woman's hands over a white marbled surface with some green herbs scattered around, and a white textured towel is visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepare the Beef for Even Cooking

Start by placing 2 pounds of stew meat evenly in the bottom of your 6-quart slow cooker. Using even-sized pieces is key here because it helps the beef cook uniformly, so every bite is tender and juicy. If you have a little extra time, sear the meat in a hot pan with butter or olive oil for just a few minutes to brown the sides—this adds incredible flavor and color.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Flavor-Packed Mixture

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, and 3 tablespoons minced garlic with 1 (1 oz) package dry onion soup mix. Then add 2 cups beef broth, 3 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Whisk until everything is smooth and well combined. This mixture is the secret to the rich, savory gravy that makes this recipe so comforting.

Step 3: Combine and Cook Low and Slow

Pour the seasoned mixture evenly over the beef tips in the slow cooker. Secure the lid tightly, set your slow cooker to low, and let it do its magic for 7 to 8 hours. This slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissues, turning the beef tender and infusing all the flavors throughout the dish. You’ll notice your kitchen filling with an irresistible aroma as it cooks!

Step 4: Final Touches and Serving Suggestions

If you like your gravy thicker, mix a little extra cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry and stir it into the slow cooker about 30 minutes before serving. Cover and continue cooking until it thickens to your liking. Serve these tender beef tips and luscious gravy over fluffy mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or steamed rice for a hearty, satisfying meal that warms you up from the inside out.

Top Tip

Mastering this Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is easier when you keep a few key tips in mind. These little touches make a big difference in flavor, texture, and overall satisfaction.

Searing the Beef First: I always take a few extra minutes to quickly brown the beef tips in a hot skillet before slow cooking. This step adds a rich, caramelized flavor that really shines through in the final dish.
Cooking on Low Heat: I learned the hard way that cooking this hearty beef stew on low heat gives the meat plenty of time to become tender and juicy. Rushing it on high heat makes the beef tougher, so slow and low is the way to go.
Even Cuts Matter: Cutting the stew meat into similar sizes ensures everything cooks evenly. Uneven pieces can mean some bites are perfectly tender while others stay chewy.
Adjust Gravy Thickness Last: Avoid adding too much cornstarch at the start. Instead, I mix a slurry near the end of cooking if I want my gravy thicker. This way, the texture is just right and not gummy.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe

A close-up top view of a silver metal pan with small pieces of browned beef scattered inside. The beef pieces vary in size and shape, showing a mix of light brown seared surfaces and pink, uncooked areas. The pan has some brown oil and cooking marks, with steam rising from the meat. The pan handle is visible on the left and bottom right sides. The pan rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To add a fresh pop of color and flavor, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or thyme leaves over the beef tips just before serving. Thinly sliced green onions or a pinch of cracked black pepper also brighten the plate wonderfully.

Side Dishes

This Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is incredibly versatile. Serve it over fluffy mashed potatoes to soak up every bit of that savory gravy, over buttered egg noodles, or even a bed of steamed white rice. Roasted vegetables or a simple green salad complete the comforting meal beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover beef tips and gravy in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 to 4 days, making for easy next-day meals.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked beef tips and gravy for up to 3 months. Just transfer the cooled dish into a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty zip-top bag. Label with the date to keep track and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You can also warm individual servings in the microwave, covering to keep moisture locked in. Add a splash of beef broth if the gravy has thickened too much while chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Yes! While stew meat is recommended for its tenderness after long cooking, you can also use chuck roast cut into cubes. Just make sure the pieces are evenly sized for consistent cooking.

What can I substitute for dry onion soup mix?

If you don’t have onion soup mix, try combining onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, beef bouillon granules, and a touch of salt and pepper to mimic its savory flavor.

Is it okay to cook the recipe on high instead of low?

The recipe works best on low for 7 to 8 hours to allow the beef to become tender. Cooking on high might speed up the process but could result in tougher meat.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Ensure the onion soup mix and Worcestershire sauce you use are gluten-free, and substitute cornstarch for any wheat-based thickeners.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is one of those wonderful dishes that fills your home with irresistible aromas and leaves everyone feeling cozy and satisfied. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you can come home to tender, flavorful beef swimming in rich gravy. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this classic comfort food as much as I do—it’s a true crowd-pleaser that warms hearts and tummies alike.