Ready for a hearty meal that practically cooks itself? Look no further than crock pot beef tips. This dish embodies comfort food at its finest, with tender beef simmered to perfection over a bed of flavorful juices—all with minimal effort on your part. Let’s dive into how you can prepare this perfect dinner with ease.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef tips
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Optional: Mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers
Equipments
- Crock pot or slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
How to Make Crock Pot Beef Tips – Step By Step
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Start by gathering all of your ingredients in one place. Chop your onion and mince the garlic, as these flavors will blend perfectly with the beef, enhancing the richness of the dish. If you choose to add vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers, chop these now so they’re ready for the crock pot. Having all your ingredients prepared ahead of time ensures a smooth cooking process.
Step 2: Sear the Beef Tips
For deeper flavor, lightly sear your beef tips before placing them in the crock pot. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a small amount of oil. Once hot, add your beef tips in a single layer and brown on all sides. This process locks in the juices and gives the beef a savory crust. Transfer the seared beef to the crock pot.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot
In your crock pot, combine the seared beef tips with the chopped onion, minced garlic, beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Adding optional vegetables at this stage will result in a more robust and nutritious meal as they soak up the broth’s flavor during cooking.
Step 4: Cook the Dish
Set your crock pot to low and let it cook for 6-8 hours. Alternatively, you can set it on high for 3-4 hours if you’re short on time. This slow cooking method allows the beef tips to become incredibly tender, and the flavors to meld together, creating a savory dish that’s perfect for cool nights. It’s an ideal set-it-and-forget-it solution!
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Pour this mixture into the crock pot and stir, which will act as a thickening agent for your sauce. Let the dish continue to cook for the final half-hour, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat each bite of beef perfectly.
How to Serve Crock Pot Beef Tips
Crock pot beef tips are best served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice, allowing the rich sauce to enrobe your carbohydrates of choice. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a hint of brightness, and you’ll have a meal fit for both busy weeknights and dinner parties alike.
Recipe Success Tips & Suggestions
Consider experimenting with your favorite herbs and spices: a touch of rosemary or thyme can enhance the flavor profile. For a heartier dish, add mushrooms and carrots, which pair well with the beef and soak up flavor wonderfully. To ensure tender meat, avoid lifting the crock pot lid too often during cooking, as it can release valuable heat.
Pumped-Up Protein: Beef Tips Redo
Looking to add more protein to your diet without compromising on taste? Add extra chunks of lean beef and a handful of chickpeas or lentils, which absorb the rich sauce while boosting the protein content. Ensure you provide ample cooking time for the legumes to soften alongside the beef for a truly satisfying high-protein meal.
Low Carb Adventures: Lean, Mean Beef Tips
For those watching their carb intake, serve these crock pot beef tips over a bed of spiralized zucchini or cauliflower mash. Both options soak up the rich sauce beautifully while ensuring you’re staying within your nutritional goals. Add leafy greens like kale or spinach during the last hour of cooking to further enhance the low-carb benefits.
Storage Instructions
Leftover beef tips can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, freeze the beef tips and sauce separately in freezer bags for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove until warmed through.
FAQs
- Can I use a different cut of beef? Yes, you can use stewing beef or chuck roast as a substitute. Remember that the cooking time may vary slightly.
- How can I make this dish gluten-free? Use gluten-free soy sauce and check that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free.
- What is the best way to thicken the sauce? Cornstarch mixed with water creates a quick slurry to thicken the sauce without altering the taste.
- Are there vegetarian alternatives? Consider using hearty mushrooms or jackfruit in place of beef for a vegetarian spin.
Discover the Flavor: Final Thoughts on Crock Pot Beef Tips
Mastering crock pot beef tips means unlocking a world where flavor and convenience are perfectly balanced. Whether you’re sticking to high-protein or low-carb diets, this recipe is versatile enough to cater to your culinary desires. Invite your friends to try it, leave comments below with your unique spins, or share this recipe to inspire others to make their cooking dinnertime experience effortless yet delightful.
Crock Pot Beef Tips
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- beef tips
- onion
- garlic
- beef broth
- soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- pepper
- salt
- cornstarch
- water
Instructions
Steps
- Prepare all ingredients by chopping the onion, mincing the garlic, and slicing any optional vegetables.
- Sear beef tips in a hot pan on medium-high heat until browned.
- Combine beef tips and remaining ingredients in the crock pot, excluding cornstarch and water.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until tender.
- Mix cornstarch with water, add to crock pot, and cook for an additional 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Serve over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes with an optional garnish of parsley.