Name: Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 495 min
Ingredients: 3 lb boneless beef chuck, cubed; 1 tsp each: sea salt and pepper; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion (diced); 5-6 garlic cloves (minced); 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning; 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1½- 2 cups beef stock (broth will work as well); 3 Tbsp red wine (optional); 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme; 3 Tbsp butter; 2 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2-3 tablespoons cold water

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These slow cooker beef tips are cooked low and slow for the most tender beef that will literally melt in your mouth. Minimal prep time and then the slow cooker does the rest of the work for you. This slow cooker meal is an easy weeknight dinner that is cozy and comforting and the whole family will love!

Wood spoon scooping into crockpot with beef tips.

We We Love These Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Ingredient Notes
Ways To Vary This Recipe
Step-By-Step Instructions
Recipe Tips
Storage
More Crockpot Recipes
Slow Cooker Beef Tips Recipe
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Any form of beef in the crockpot is my comfort food favorite. These savory, tender slow cooker beef tips in the perfect rich gravy are becoming one of my all-time favorites very quickly!

Minimal, simple ingredients, the perfect sear and a dump and walk away dinner–this beef recipe is always a great idea! Pro-tip: serve these beef tips over these Boursin Mashed Potatoes, yum!

We We Love These Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Dinner recipes that use ingredients that are pantry and kitchen staples in our house are always the best. This comforting crockpot dinner is so rich and delicious but also so simple for any night of the week!

These slow cooker beef tips:

require minimal time and effort to prep
allow the slow cooker to do the work for you all day
have so much flavor but the texture is just as amazing
can easily be varied
are super freezer friendly!

Looking for more simple slow cooker recipes? Try these favorites as well: Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup, Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Chili, Crockpot Chuck Roast Recipe or my other all time favorite, this Crock Pot Shredded Beef!

Ingredient Notes

See full list of ingredients below in recipe card with exact measurements.

Cubed meat, broth, garlic, onion, seasoning and other labeled ingredients.

A well-marbled beef chuck roast that you cut into cubes yourself is the ideal cut for this recipe. Pre-cut stew meat at the grocery are often leaner cuts of meat and will not cook up nearly as tender. You could use a top sirloin for another option, it will be a bit leaner, but should do well in the slow cooker.
I consider the butter in this recipe a must use ingredient for the most tender, moist and fall apart in your mouth beef. A little bit of fat goes a long way in a crockpot meat recipe. You don’t have to use the full amount if you want to cut on the fat in the recipe, but I would at least use 1-2 tablespoons.

Ways To Vary This Recipe

stir in some cream to finish just before serving
toss the beef in a bit of flour or cornstarch before searing to vary the texture a bit
add in some mushrooms
you can toss in some more fresh herbs for an extra layer or flavor

Step-By-Step Instructions

Cubed chuck roast in bowl with salt and pepper.

Step 1: Pat the cubed meat dry with a paper towel and season well with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and once it is very hot, add the beef in an even layer, working in batches as needed, and sear for about 2 minutes per side. Transfer seared meat to the slow cooker.

Step 3: Add the onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes to soften.

Crockpot with cubed seared beef, broth and other ingredients before slow cooking.

Step 4: Add onions over the beef. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, stock, balsamic, and Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine.

Butter and sprigs of thyme over top of beef tips in crock pot.

Step 5: Place the butter and thyme over top of the beef and cover. Heat on LOW for 6-8 hours or until the meat is fork tender.

Slow cooker beef tips in gravy prepared.

Step 6: Once the meat is ready, shift the slow cooker to HIGH and whisk the cold water and cornstarch together. Pour into the crock pot and stir. Cook for another 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken–this may take more time depending on your crockpot.

Recipe Tips

Searing is not necessary if you are in a pinch on time, but it is highly recommended for best results. Searing the meat gives it a nice golden caramelized outer texture and seals in more flavor to the dish. If you have the time, definitely do it!

Make sure to use meat that has nice marbling throughout for the best texture. A little bit of fat throughout the meat is ideal. If the meat is too lean, it can come out more on the tough side.

For best results, cook on LOW HEAT. I do not suggest cooking this on high heat. It will result in much less tender meat. If you are in an absolute time crunch, you can, but again, know the meat will not be at its best!

Mashed potatoes with chuck roast beef cubes and gravy topped with fresh thyme.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, you can put the meat back in the slow cooker and heat on low for 2-3 hours. If you want a quicker option, simmer stovetop for about 15 minutes. Add an extra splash of beef stock or broth if it becomes too thick.

To freeze, make sure the beef is completely cooled. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator.