Beef tips and gravy is the definition of comfort food. Tender pieces of beef cooked low and slow until they practically melt in your mouth, all covered in a rich homemade gravy. While this recipe does take a little time, the results are absolutely worth the wait. Today, I am going to show you how to get perfectly tender beef, make a smooth homemade gravy, and avoid some of the mistakes that can happen along the way. So, grab a snack, a notebook, and a pencil because this is one recipe you won’t want to miss!
The Story Behind This Dish
There is a story behind this dish that I want to share with you.
A friend of mine had recently had a baby, and one of the ways I wanted to help was by making meals for her family. As someone who loves to cook, I was more than happy to do it. In fact, I was excited! Not only was I getting the opportunity to help someone, but I was also getting to cook for someone outside of my own household.
As I sat down to plan meals, beef tips and gravy immediately came to mind. My friend and her husband both enjoy beef, and I wanted to make something hearty, comforting, and filling. Bringing home a new baby is a busy season of life, so comfort food felt like the perfect choice.
When I cook, it is about more than just making dinner. I love being creative in the kitchen and trying new things. There is something incredibly rewarding about taking simple ingredients and turning them into a meal that people genuinely enjoy. But cooking can also be a way to help others, and that is exactly what this dish became. It was more than just beef tips and gravy. It was a way to care for a friend and her family during an exciting time in their lives.
Cornstarch Instead of Flour
One challenge I ran into was the gravy.
My friend has a gluten allergy, so I knew I needed a way to thicken the gravy without using flour. Thankfully, cornstarch came to the rescue. If you decide to use cornstarch, there is one important thing you need to know: never add it directly to the hot liquid. If you do, you will end up with little lumps of cornstarch floating around in your gravy, and trust me, nobody wants that.
Instead, mix equal parts cornstarch and cold water together to create a cornstarch slurry. Once it is completely smooth, slowly whisk it into your gravy. This simple step will help you create a smooth, silky gravy every time.
Trust The Process
If you are making this dish, I want you to know something right now: this recipe is not a quick dinner.
The beef needs time. In fact, the beef will likely need at least 1½ to 2 hours to become truly tender. And during that time, you may find yourself wondering if you did something wrong.
Ask me how I know.
As the beef cooks, it will actually seem tough for quite a while. If you check it too early, you might be tempted to start searching Google for answers because surely something has gone wrong, right? Wrong.
The beef is simply doing what beef does. It is breaking down slowly and becoming tender. So trust the process. Let it cook. Give it time. Be patient.
After about 1½ hours, start checking it with a fork. If it still feels firm, keep cooking. If it falls apart easily when you press down with a fork, it is ready. And when it finally reaches that point, you will know. The beef becomes so tender that it practically melts in your mouth, making every minute of waiting worth it.
How To Make Gravy
Now let’s talk about gravy.
If making gravy intimidates you, don’t worry. It is actually very simple, but it does require a little patience.
For this gravy, I used the broth that the beef cooked in and added Worcestershire sauce for extra flavor. Then I slowly whisked in my cornstarch slurry. The key word here is slowly. If you add too much slurry at once, your gravy can become far too thick. On the other hand, if it isn’t thick enough, you can always add a little more slurry later.
I recommend adding a small amount at a time and whisking well between additions. Keep going until the gravy is smooth, rich, and able to coat the back of a spoon. You don’t want it as thin as water, but you also don’t want it thick enough to resemble jelly.
Once you find that perfect balance, your gravy is ready to serve over those tender beef tips. And trust me, after all that waiting, that first bite is absolutely worth it.
Slow-Cooked Comfort: Beef Tips and Gravy
Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
2 Hours 15 Minutes
Total Time
2 Hours 30 Minutes
Servings
4-6
Ingredients:
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 1/2 – 3 Lbs. Stewed Beef
- 4 Cups Beef Broth (more if needed)
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoons Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons Cold Water
Directions:
- Sear stewed beef in oil until browned on all sides, but not cooked completely.
- Pour in beef broth, then add garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and salt.
- Cover and simmer on low heat for between 1 1/2 – 2 hours, or until fork tender and falls apart easily.
- Once the beef is done, use a slotted spoon to remove the beef from the broth. Cover it to keep it warm.
- Add Worcestershire sauce to the broth.
- In a small bowl, make the cornstarch slurry by whisking together the cornstarch and water until completely smooth. Slowly pour the slurry into the broth while whisking constantly. Continue adding slurry until the gravy reaches your desired consistency.
- Once the gravy is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, add the beef back to the pot and stir to combine.
- Enjoy!
Notes & Tips
- Don’t Rush The Beef
The beef takes a long time to become tender. If the beef is still tough after 1½ hours, keep cooking. Tough beef doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. It simply needs more time to break down and become tender. - Add The Slurry Slowly
Make sure to add the cornstarch slurry in slowly. You can always add more slurry if the gravy is too thin, but it is much harder to fix gravy that is too thick. - Storing The Leftovers
If you are like me and love having leftovers, then here you go. Store leftover beef tips and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
What To Serve It With
This dish has so many great side dishes that could go well with it, but I can only share so many with you. Here are some side dishes that I think will pair wonderfully with this dish!
- Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a great pairing for this dish because not only do they taste amazing, but they also can soak up some of that gravy! So you won’t just have beef and gravy, you will have mashed potatoes and gravy too! - Green Beans
Green beans are a great pair for this dish because not only do they add a pop of color but they will also taste amazing if they have some of that amazing gravy on them. - Glazed Carrots
Glazed carrots are delicious as is, but take that sweetness and mix it with the savory of the gravy and you have a the ultimate sweet and savory combo!
With every new recipe I make, a new place in my heart has been opened. It is not new information when I say I love cooking, and when I create a recipe, I am putting my heart and creativity into something that I am passionate about. And then when I get to share that with my family and friends, especially when they are in times of need, it fills me with joy.
That is also why I share my recipes with you! I want you to experience the same amount of joy I feel when making a dish. Even if the dish takes over 2 hours and you have very little patience. But even if that is you, all I can say is, trust me. You won’t want to miss out on making this one!
Until Next Time…
Stay Saucy
Hailey 🍝
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