There’s nothing I love more than a cozy comfort meal, and these beef tips with gravy always hit the spot. Cubes of beef cook up nice and tender on the stovetop, along with a rich brown sauce that packs in tons of flavor. Served over mashed potatoes, this one-pot beef tips recipe is the perfect family dinner!
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Sometimes I just want some hearty comfort food for dinner, and this easy recipe for beef tips with a savory brown gravy is the answer to my cravings. The meat gets so tender, it practically melts in your mouth! Plus stew meat is so affordable, and the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples, so this is a good budget-friendly meal too.
Ingredients for Beef Tips and Gravy
- Beef: Cubed stew meat is an affordable and easy-to-find option for making beef tips.
- Flour: All-purpose flour coats the beef to create a crisp skin when browning, and helps with the overall consistency of the dish.
- Broth: Beef broth makes a savory, beef-y base for the sauce.
- Red Wine: Use a red cooking wine, or whatever you have on hand. This is used for deglazing, and adds some complexity to the gravy flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savoriness and umami flavor.
- Garlic & Onion: Aromatics that deepen the flavor.
- Cornstarch: Use cornstarch and water to make a slurry, which will thicken the gravy.
- Seasonings: You’ll need garlic and onion powder, plus salt and pepper.
Make Beef Tips Tender
The secret to making beef tips tender is just a matter of time! The slower you cook the cubes of meat, the more the fibers will break down and become less chewy. So if you have the time, feel free to let the stew meat simmer longer in the gravy. However, I find that 40 minutes is enough time to cook beef tips on the stovetop to make them deliciously tender.
How to Store and Reheat
Store beef tips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Thaw first if frozen.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to serve beef tips and gravy is over a nice big mound of mashed potatoes! These creamy mashed potatoes are my go-to, but these Instant Pot mashed potatoes are extra quick and easy. Some other serving options are egg noodles, white rice, or mashed cauliflower.
Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½-2 pounds beef stew meat cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil divided
- ½ onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Toss the beef with the flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper until evenly coated.1½-2 pounds beef stew meat, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.¼ cup olive oil
- Once heated, add in the beef cubes in an even layer. You may need to do this in 2 batches to avoid crowding the pan. Brown the beef on all sides. Set aside on a plate.
- Add in another 2 tablespoons of oil, the onion, and a sprinkle of salt. Cook for a few minutes until softened. Add in the garlic and cook for another minute.¼ cup olive oil, ½ onion, 2 garlic cloves
- Pour in the wine and let it sizzle while scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.½ cup red wine
- Add in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce to a simmer.2 cups beef broth, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Combine the cornstarch and water in a small dish and whisk. Then stir it into the sauce to thicken.2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Add the beef back to the pan. Cover the pan and continue to simmer for 40 minutes until the beef is tender.
- Uncover the pan, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or noodles.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Beef Tips Step by Step
Season the Beef: Toss 1½-2 pounds of beef stew meat with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, until evenly coated.
Brown the Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once heated, add the seasoned beef cubes to the skillet in an even layer. I recommend doing this in 2 batches to avoid crowding the pan. Brown the beef on all sides, then set aside on a plate.
Make the Gravy: Add in another 2 tablespoons of olive oil, ½ of a chopped onion, and a sprinkle of salt, then cook for a few minutes until softened. Add in 2 minced cloves of garlic and cook for another minute. Next, pour in ½ a cup of red wine and let it sizzle while scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Then add 2 cups of beef broth and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Simmer the Beef Tips: Combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water in a small dish and whisk. Then stir it into the sauce to thicken. Next, add the browned beef back to the pan. Cover the pan and continue to simmer for 40 minutes, until the beef is tender. Lastly, uncover the pan, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
Serve: Serve beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice!
