Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Rice: Classic Comfort Food That Practically Cooks Itself

Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Rice – Classic Comfort Food

Why This Slow Cooker Recipe Works for Busy Days

This recipe is a lifesaver when you need dinner to cook itself. You toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning, walk away, and come back to rich, fork-tender beef in thick, flavorful gravy. Pair it with rice, and dinner is done.

It’s also very forgiving—no need to brown the beef, and you can adjust seasonings or add vegetables with ease. Plus, it holds well on the “Keep Warm” setting if your schedule runs long.

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Beef Tips Exactly (And the Best Cuts to Use)

Beef tips usually refer to smaller chunks of beef that come from cuts like sirloin, stew meat, chuck, or even tenderloin trimmings. For this recipe, I recommend:

Cut of Beef	Texture After Slow Cooking	Budget-Friendly	Best For
Chuck Roast (cubed)	Very tender, juicy	✅	Everyday cooking
Stew Meat	Slightly firmer, hearty	✅✅	Classic stews
Sirloin Tips	Leaner, mild flavor	❌	More refined texture

Choose based on what’s available and your preference. Chuck is ideal—it breaks down beautifully and gives the dish richness.

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Why Slow Cooking Makes Beef Tips So Tender and Flavorful

Tougher cuts like chuck have lots of connective tissue, which breaks down over hours of low, moist heat. That’s where the slow cooker shines. It turns cheaper cuts into fork-tender bites while concentrating flavor in the gravy.

Plus, cooking the meat directly in the broth and soup mix builds depth—no need to sear beforehand (though you can, if you want even more flavor—more on that later).

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Ingredients You’ll Need (With Easy Substitutions)

Beef Tips – Fresh, Frozen, or Pre-Cut?

You can absolutely use pre-cut stew meat or beef tips from the store. If starting from a roast, just cut into 1- to 2-inch chunks. Frozen beef tips also work—just add 30–60 minutes to the cook time and make sure they’re separated (not frozen in a block).

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Gravy Ingredients – Onion Soup Mix, Broth, and More

Here’s what gives the dish its deep, savory flavor:

• 1 packet dry onion soup mix (or homemade)
• 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Simple Add-Ins – Mushrooms, Onions, or Peas?

While totally optional, these additions work beautifully:

Add-In	When to Add	Texture Result
Mushrooms	At the start	Soft, meaty
Diced onion	At the start	Melts into gravy
Frozen peas	Last 15–20 mins	Bright, slightly firm

Use what you have, or leave them out for a cleaner flavor.

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Swaps for Dietary Needs – Low Sodium, Gluten-Free, or Dairy-Free

• Low sodium? Use unsalted broth and skip added salt.
• Gluten-free? Use a GF onion soup mix or make your own (I can share a quick mix if needed).
• Dairy-free? This recipe is naturally dairy-free unless you serve it with creamy mashed potatoes or add cream to the gravy.

How to Make Beef Tips in a Slow Cooker

This is a truly hands-off dish once the prep is done. The goal is to build flavor without extra steps, so unless you want to sear or thicken at the end (optional), you’re basically just layering and letting the slow cooker do the work.

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Prepping the Meat – Trim or Marinate?

There’s no need to marinate beef tips before slow cooking—they’ll soak up plenty of flavor from the broth and onion soup mix as they simmer. However, do trim off any large chunks of fat. A bit of marbling is great, but too much fat can make the finished gravy greasy.

Optional tip:
If you want extra flavor, you can sear the beef in a hot pan with oil for 2–3 minutes per side. This adds a deeper, beefier taste, but isn’t essential.

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How Long to Cook Beef Tips in a Crock Pot (Low vs High)

Setting	Time	Result
Low	7–8 hours	Ultra-tender, deep flavor
High	4–5 hours	Still tender, slightly firmer

Low and slow is ideal, especially if you’re using chuck or stew meat. The meat has time to break down and absorb the sauce.

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When to Add Gravy Ingredients or Veggies

Add everything at the beginning—meat, onion soup mix, broth, mushrooms or onions (if using). These ingredients all benefit from the long cooking time and help build the flavor.

If using peas or delicate vegetables, stir them in during the last 15–20 minutes so they stay bright and fresh.

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Optional Finish – Thicken the Gravy or Sear for Flavor

Once the beef is done, you might want to thicken the gravy. Here’s how:

Cornstarch Slurry Method:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp cold water.
2. Stir into the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15–20 minutes, until thickened.

If you skipped searing earlier and want to add a deeper flavor now, you can:

• Transfer cooked beef to a skillet and sear quickly in a hot pan before serving.
• Or broil on a sheet pan for 3–4 minutes until edges caramelize.

These are nice-to-haves, not must-dos. The stew will be delicious either way.

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What to Serve with Beef Tips and Gravy

The gravy is the star here, so you want sides that soak up every drop.

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White Rice, Brown Rice, or Mashed Potatoes?

All three work beautifully—pick what suits your mood or pantry:

Base	Pros	Notes
White Rice	Fast, classic, fluffy	Neutral flavor lets gravy shine
Brown Rice	Nutty, wholesome	Chewy texture complements stew
Mashed Potatoes	Creamy, rich, ultimate comfort	Great for cozy nights

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Best Side Dishes – From Roasted Veggies to Buttery Rolls

You don’t need much on the side, but a few simple additions can turn this into a full spread:

• Roasted carrots or green beans
• Steamed broccoli or peas
• Buttery dinner rolls or crusty bread
• Simple garden salad with vinaigrette

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How to Keep Rice Fluffy and Warm Until Serving

If you’re serving a crowd or making rice ahead, use one of these tricks:

• Rice cooker “Keep Warm” mode – Most reliable.
• Covered dish in a warm oven (200°F / 95°C) – Works for up to 30 minutes.
• Microwave-safe bowl covered with a damp paper towel – For quick reheating without drying.

Meal Prep and Leftover Tips That Actually Work

Slow cooker beef tips are one of my top go-tos for meal prep. The flavors deepen overnight, and the gravy stays rich and satisfying—no bland leftovers here. Let’s walk through how to store, reheat, freeze, and reinvent those extras.

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How to Store and Reheat Without Drying Out

Storing:

• Transfer beef and gravy to an airtight container once fully cooled.
• Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Keep rice separate so it doesn’t soak up all the gravy.

Reheating:

• Microwave (Best for single servings):
  Add 1–2 tbsp broth or water, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between.
• Stovetop (Best for 2+ servings):
  Reheat over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth to loosen the gravy.

Tip: Cover while reheating to trap moisture and keep the beef tender.

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Can You Freeze Beef Tips and Gravy?

Yes—and they freeze beautifully.

• Let the stew cool completely.
• Freeze in portion-sized containers or zip-top bags (label and date them).
• Keeps well for up to 3 months.

Thawing & Reheating:

• Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Reheat gently on the stove or microwave as above, adding a splash of broth if needed.

Don’t freeze cooked rice—it tends to get mushy. Instead, make fresh or microwaveable rice when ready to serve.

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Creative Ways to Use Leftovers – From Bowls to Bakes

Leftover beef tips + gravy are versatile. Here are a few no-fuss ideas:

• Stew bowls – Spoon over new grains like quinoa or cauliflower rice.
• Open-faced sandwiches – On toast or garlic bread with melty cheese.
• Beef pot pie – Add mixed veggies, top with biscuit dough, and bake.
• Savory pasta bake – Toss with penne, top with mozzarella, bake until bubbly.
• Stuffed baked potatoes – Pour hot beef and gravy over fluffy potatoes.
• Beef tips stroganoff – Stir in sour cream and serve with egg noodles.

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15+ Common Questions About Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Rice