Tender Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe for Comfort Dinners
Beef tips with gravy bring comfort to any table and satisfy even the biggest appetites.
Tender meat bathed in rich sauce has been warming hearts for generations across kitchens everywhere.
The appeal stretches far beyond just dinner – it works beautifully for Sunday suppers, weeknight meals, or special occasions when something substantial feels right.
Families gather around plates of this classic dish and always leave feeling content.
Simple enough for beginners yet impressive enough for confident cooks, it offers satisfaction every time without fuss or complexity.
Few dishes offer such universal appeal while remaining so approachable and rewarding.
Pull up a chair and see why so many cooks rely on it season after season.
Why You’ll Love Beef Tips with Gravy
What Goes Into Beef Tips with Gravy
Main Protein:Aromatics:Liquid And Seasoning Base:Thickening And Finishing Agents:Optional Herb Enhancement:Seasoning:Beef Tips with Gravy Cooking Tools
Beef Tips with Gravy Cooking Steps
Brown the Beef
Get a large skillet hot with 2 tablespoons olive oil at medium-high heat (375°F). Drop in 2 pounds beef stew meat or sirloin tips and let each piece get a beautiful golden crust. Move the meat around so all sides turn brown. Pull out the beef and set it on a plate.
Prepare the Aromatics
In the same skillet, toss in your chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent. The ingredients you’ll use are:
Stir the garlic into the onions and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Create the Gravy Base
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over the onions and garlic. Stir everything together to make a smooth mixture. Pour in the liquid ingredients slowly:
Whisk constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Season with salt and pepper.
Simmer the Beef
Return the browned beef to the skillet. Cover and let everything simmer at 325°F for 45-60 minutes. Check occasionally and add a splash more broth if the sauce looks dry.
Finish with Herbs
Sprinkle some fresh thyme or rosemary into the sauce during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Top Tips for Beef Tips with Gravy
Best Beef Tips with Gravy Variations
How to Serve Beef Tips with Gravy
How to Store Beef Tips with Gravy Properly
Beef Tips with Gravy FAQ Guide
What kind of beef works best for this recipe?
Tough, budget-friendly cuts like chuck roast or stew meat are perfect because slow cooking breaks down the muscle fibers, making them super tender.
Can beef tips be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the dish, cool completely, and refrigerate for 2-3 days. The flavors actually improve as they sit.
Do I need special equipment to make beef tips?
A large skillet or Dutch oven works great. No fancy gadgets required – just something that can go from stovetop to oven if needed.
How can I tell when the beef is tender enough?
The meat should easily pull apart with a fork. If it feels tough, keep simmering until it reaches that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written. To make it gluten-free, swap regular flour for cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend when creating the roux.
Beef Tips with Gravy Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 3 minutes – 1 hour 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 1x
Description
Beef Tips with Gravy brings comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Tender meat simmered in rich sauce makes this classic dish a family favorite that’ll warm your heart with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Main Proteins:
- 1 pounds beef stew meat or sirloin tips
Aromatic Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- ¾ cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Seasoning Components:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh thyme or rosemary
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Carefully place 1.5 pounds beef tips into the hot pan, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Brown meat for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms.
- Transfer browned beef to a plate, leaving delicious drippings in the skillet. Dice 1 whole onion and add to the pan. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion turns translucent and soft.
- Mince 3-4 garlic cloves and sprinkle them into the skillet. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Dust 2 tablespoons flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir continuously for 1 minute to create a smooth roux that will thicken your gravy.
- Pour 2 cups beef broth slowly into the skillet, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Add 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce and 2 tablespoons soy sauce.
- Return beef tips to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered at 200°F for 45-60 minutes until meat becomes fork-tender.
- During the last 10 minutes of cooking, sprinkle fresh thyme or rosemary into the gravy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Remove from heat and let the beef tips rest for 5 minutes before serving. The gravy will continue to thicken slightly during this time.
Notes
- Check the beef for consistent sizing when cutting to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
- Brown the meat in batches to develop a deep, rich flavor without overcrowding the pan.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control the salt level in your gravy, allowing you to season precisely.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder when making the roux.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Beef
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg

Susan Whitaker
Content Specialist & Home Cooking Guide
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