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The Lowdown on This Beef Tips Recipe
Beef tips have been a staple in my house for as long as I can remember. We always pile it over some hot, buttery rice, and y’all… It
hits hard every single time.
My recipe gets all that deep, slow-cooked flavor without a ton of effort. Some pantry staples, a Dutch oven, and a little patience is all you need to make beef tips at home. And boos, I even threw in some bacon because… Why not? Bacon just makes everything better. Get into it.
They’re Lovin’ It! Here’s what They’re Sayin’:
โI used sirloin. The meat was fork tender with beautiful gravy. A great Sunday dinner. Thank you!โ
โDONNA
Ingredients Needed To Make Beef Tips
- Olive Oil: If youโre out, you can use good ol vegetable oil.
- Bacon: My secret ingredient boos! I’ve also used pancetta and smoked sausage before.
- Lean Stew Beef or Beef Tips: I usually go for tips from tender cuts like sirloin, but if you’re in a pinch, lean stew beef will do just fine.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential!
- Onion: I use yellow onion, but feel free to use your favorite type (or shallots!).
- Minced Garlic: Fresh is best, but garlic powder will also do.
- All-Purpose Flour: I’m a baker through and through, but when I forget to get flour, cornstarch mixed with water (slurry-style) thickens the sauce just right.
- Red Wine: If you’re worried about the alcohol content, don’t be boos! It’ll cook off. You can also mix up some beef broth with a splash of balsamic vinegar.
- Unsalted Beef Stock: If youโre using regular beef stock, just go easy on the added salt.
- Soy Sauce: One time I ran out halfway through cooking, and Worcestershire sauce saved the day.
- Thyme Sprigs: You can also use dried, but don’t be shy boos! Experiment with some rosemary or bay leaves.
- Fresh Parsley: Fresh chives or green onions can add a nice touch too.
- Hot Cooked Rice: Beef tips and rice are one of the BEST comfort food combos, y’all. Rice soaks up all the flavorful gravy, so I just had to add it to this recipe. Mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even cauliflower rice are also great pairings.
How to make Beef Tips
Beef Tips
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 slices bacon cut into smaller pieces
- 2 pounds lean stew beef or beef tips
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup of red wine
- 2 cups unsalted beef stock
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 thyme sprigs
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Hot cooked rice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Add bacon to a large pot or dutch oven over medium high heat, cook until crisp, remove from pan, drain and set aside. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the pan with bacon drippings. Season the beef with salt and pepper, add to a hot pot and sear in batches until browned all over. Once beef is finished searing, remove from the pot, drain on paper towels, and place to the side.
- Next add chopped onion, stirring until soft, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and only cook for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle in flour and stir together and cook for about 2 minutes
- Add the red wine to deglaze the pan scraping up all the little browned bits.
- Pour in the beef stock, and soy sauce then stir and whisk until everything is smooth. Add back in bacon if you would like for the additional flavor.
- Add thyme sprigs then bring the braising liquid to a boil.
- Once boiling, return beef tips to liquid, cover with top and place in the oven for 1 1/2 – 2 hours or until beef tips are completely tender (easily separated with a fork) and the liquid has thickened into a gravy.
- Serve with hot rice and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Tips for making the best beef tips and gravy in oven
- Go for a lean cut. This dish don’t need fancy beef, but a lean, fresh cut makes ALL the difference. Less fat means more tender bites without a greasy mess.
- Sear in batches. Don’t crowd the pot boos! Giving the beef space helps it brown properly and lock in all that flavor.
- Be patient. Slow cooking is the name of the game. Letting the beef braise low and slow makes it extra tender and soaks up all the rich gravy.
- Watch the liquid. Some of that sauce is gonna cook down, so make sure the beef stays mostly covered. If it’s getting too low, add a splash of beef stock.
Recipe Variations and Additions
- Mushrooms bring the flavor. Sautรฉ some cremini or button mushrooms with the onions, and thank me later.
- Toss in some diced potatoes before it goes in the oven. Or baby potatoes! Those are my fave. They’ll soak up all that beefy goodness.
- Mix chicken stock and beef broth. Trust me boos, using both gives the sauce a richer, deeper flavor. Even better if the stock is homemade!
- Steam some broccoli. Add it to the tips right before serving so it gets all cozy in the gravy.
What to serve with beef tips and gravy
- Rice: For a classic pairing that’s tried and true, go with rice. Whether you go with a classic white or brown or jazz it up with Mexican rice, rice and peas or jollof rice, you will have some good eatin!
- Potatoes Galore: Although beef tips and rice are a safe bet, you can’t go wrong with garlic mashed potatoes or slow cooker mashed potatoes. It’s pure creamy goodness!
- Squash it Up: Serve your beef tips alongside roasted butternut squash. The caramelized edges and sweetness of the squash play off the savory depth of the tips really well.
- Veggies: And last but definitely not least, add some Southern charm with Southern green beans or turnip greens! Slow simmered with a bit of turkey necks or ham hock, they’re savory with a capital S.
How to Store & Reheat Beef Tips
Once your beef tips have cooled down to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container and store it in the fridge. Make sure the gravy covers the meat to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out.
While you can use the microwave, for the best results, reheat your beef tips and gravy on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally so it warms evenly. And remember, you can add a splash of beef broth or water if the gravy has thickened too much during storage!
How long will Beef Tips last in the fridge?
Properly stored, your beef tips and gravy will last in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Always give it a quick sniff or check for any visual changes to ensure it’s still good to go.
Can I freeze beef tips and rice?
Absolutely, you can freeze this dish! Place the cooled beef tips in a freezer-safe airtight container, leaving a little space at the top for expansion. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely boos! While this recipe is for making beef tips and gravy in the oven, you can adapt it for a Crockpot. First, follow the initial steps of the recipe like browning the beef and sautรฉing the onions in a skillet. Then transfer everything to the Crockpot, including other ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beef is fork-tender.
Yes, gravy consistency can vary. If it’s too thin, you can simmer it uncovered for a bit longer to reduce and thicken. If it’s too thick, add a splash of beef broth or water until you reach your desired consistency.
Yup, you can use other meats like pork or lamb. But keep in mind that different meats may have different cooking times and might alter the overall flavor of the dish.
Had some pieces of tri tip and sirloin in the freezerโฆ.gathered 2 pounds and cut them into chunks for this recipe. It was super easy, and came out great. One of those great recipes for โfreezer cleaningโ.
YES! Fantastic. So glad you enjoyed this.
This was amazing! So much flavor! Weโll definitely be making this again. Thanks for such a great recipe.
Thank you so so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Delicious and teenager-approved! I didn’t see a reference to adding the bacon back in so threw it in before popping the dish into the oven.
OMG fantastic! So happy you enjoyed it.
Do you put the cooked bacon back in the dish or leave it out?
Totally up to you. I sometimes add back in the pot for additional flavor or even sprinkle bacon bits on the top as a garnish.
delicious, easy, super savory everyone loved it.
Enjoyed this for dinner tonight and it was a savory success! Turned out perfectly tender, juicy and delicious; easily, a new favorite recipe!
Okay this was so delish! Everyone loved this!
These beef tips are so tender and the flavor is unreal. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
My sister loves beef tips and she will be drooling over this one!
These beef tips are bursting with so much flavor and are perfect for a Sunday dinner at my house. I can’t wait to make them.