
Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Get ready to fall head over heels for our incredible Slow Cooker Beef Tips recipe! Here are four compelling reasons why this dish is about to become your new weeknight (or weekend!) favorite:
- Effortless & Hands-Off: Seriously, your slow cooker does 90% of the work! After a quick sear and sauté, you simply set it and forget it. Come home to a house smelling divine and dinner practically ready.
- Unbelievably Tender & Flavorful: Slow cooking transforms humble beef sirloin into melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Each bite of these Slow Cooker Beef Tips is infused with rich, savory flavors from the broth, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce, all cradled in a luscious, thick gravy.
- Keto-Friendly & Wholesome: Looking for a meal that’s both satisfying and good for you? These beef tips are naturally low in carbs, making them perfect for a keto or low-carb lifestyle. Packed with protein and healthy fats, they’ll keep you feeling full and energized.
- Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you’re feeding a family, entertaining guests, or meal prepping for the week, these Slow Cooker Beef Tips are a winner. They pair beautifully with a variety of sides, catering to different dietary needs and preferences.
Unleash the Magic of Your Slow Cooker with These Beef Tips!
Picture this: It’s a chilly evening, you’ve had a long day, and the mere thought of slaving over a hot stove is enough to send shivers down your spine (and not the good kind!). But what if we told you that you could come home to a warm, comforting aroma filling your kitchen, promising a dinner that’s rich, savory, and unbelievably tender? Enter the superhero of comfort food: our glorious Slow Cooker Beef Tips!
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a promise of ease, flavor, and pure culinary joy. We’re talking succulent pieces of beef, slow-cooked to absolute perfection, swimming in a luxurious, thick gravy that’s practically begging to be spooned over your favorite side. Forget complicated techniques and endless stirring; with just a few simple steps, your slow cooker will transform everyday ingredients into a meal that tastes like it took hours of dedicated effort. Ready to let your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting? Let’s dive into creating the ultimate Slow Cooker Beef Tips!
Ingredients for Your Perfect Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Gather your delicious components for these amazing Slow Cooker Beef Tips:
- 🧈 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 🍄 8 ounces sliced mushrooms (like button or cremini)
- 🧂 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 🥩 2 pounds top sirloin, trimmed and cut into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces
- 🥣 1 cup beef broth
- 🧄 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 🍅 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 🍶 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (ensure gluten-free if preferred, or use tamari/soy sauce)
- 🧅 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ✨ 1/2 teaspoon glucomannan or xanthan gum (for thickening)
Step-by-Step Directions to Heavenly Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Follow these easy steps to create the most tender and flavorful Slow Cooker Beef Tips:
- Sauté Mushrooms: Grab a large skillet and get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Melt the unsalted butter until shimmering. Toss in your sliced mushrooms and give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Sauté them like a pro until they’re beautifully softened and sport a lovely browned hue, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Once done, scoop these flavorful mushrooms directly into your slow cooker.
- Sear Beef to Perfection: Now, let’s give our beef some love! Generously season your bite-sized top sirloin pieces with salt and pepper. Using the same hot skillet, brown half of the beef quickly on all sides. This isn’t about cooking it through, but about developing a rich, caramelized crust that locks in all those amazing flavors. Transfer this browned beef to the slow cooker. Repeat this searing process with the remaining beef, and don’t forget to scrape all those delicious pan juices and bits into the slow cooker – that’s pure flavor gold!
- Combine the Flavor Symphony: With your beef and mushrooms nestled in the slow cooker, it’s time to build the gravy base. Pour in the beef broth, add the minced garlic, a dollop of tomato paste, the Worcestershire sauce, and the onion powder. Give everything a good, hearty stir to make sure all these wonderful ingredients are well combined and ready to mingle over the next few hours.
- Slow Cook to Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tenderness: Now for the magic! Cover your slow cooker with its lid. Set it to the LOW setting and let it cook for approximately 8 hours. If you’re in a bit more of a hurry, you can cook it on HIGH for about 5 hours. The ultimate goal here is for the beef to become incredibly tender – we’re talking fall-apart, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
- Thicken the Savory Gravy: Once your beef is cooked to tender bliss, it’s time to create that luscious gravy! Carefully remove about one cup of the hot cooking liquid from the pot. In a separate bowl, whisk the glucomannan or xanthan gum into this liquid until it’s perfectly smooth and free of any lumps. Pour this thickening mixture back into the slow cooker and give everything a good stir. Watch as your savory gravy magically thickens to a beautiful consistency.
- Serve & Enjoy Your Slow Cooker Beef Tips: Give the rich beef tips a final taste and adjust the seasonings (salt and pepper) if needed – remember, it’s all about YOUR perfect flavor! Serve these comforting beef tips generously over creamy mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice for a wholesome, low-carb meal. For an extra touch of freshness and color, a sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs (like parsley or chives) makes a lovely finishing touch!
Presenting and Serving Your Delicious Slow Cooker Beef Tips
These Slow Cooker Beef Tips are incredibly versatile and can be presented in numerous delightful ways to suit any occasion or dietary preference. The key is that rich, savory gravy, which pairs beautifully with almost anything!
- Classic Keto Comfort: As suggested in the recipe, serving over creamy mashed cauliflower or fluffy cauliflower rice is a perfect match for a low-carb lifestyle. The mildness of the cauliflower perfectly complements the robust beef and gravy.
- Hearty & Traditional: For those not following a strict low-carb diet, these beef tips are absolutely divine over classic mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even a bed of fluffy white rice. The gravy is just begging to be soaked up!
- Elegant & Refined: Feeling a bit fancy? Spoon the Slow Cooker Beef Tips over soft polenta or creamy risotto. The luxurious textures will elevate the dish to restaurant-quality status.
- Vegetable Medley: Lighten things up by serving alongside steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a vibrant mix of sautéed seasonal vegetables. The beef tips can be the star, with veggies offering a fresh counterpoint.
- Open-Faced Sandwich: For a fun twist, pile the tender beef tips and gravy onto toasted thick-cut bread or a crusty roll. A sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese under the broiler makes for a heavenly creation!
- Baked Potato Topper: Transform a simple baked potato into a meal by topping it generously with these savory Slow Cooker Beef Tips and plenty of that glorious gravy.
Don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives for that pop of color and herbaceous freshness – it makes all the difference!
Storing Your Slow Cooker Beef Tips: Freshness & Longevity
One of the best things about these Slow Cooker Beef Tips is how well they store, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying leftovers. Here’s how to keep them fresh:
- Refrigeration: Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the beef tips and all their delicious gravy to an airtight container. They will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This makes them ideal for packing lunches or having quick dinners throughout the week.
- Freezing: For longer storage, Slow Cooker Beef Tips freeze exceptionally well. Allow the dish to cool completely. Transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, ensuring as much air as possible is removed to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months without significant loss of quality or flavor.
- Reheating:
- From Refrigerator: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions. If the gravy has thickened too much, you can add a splash of beef broth or water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- From Freezer: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, or in the microwave on a defrost setting, then continuing to heat until piping hot.
These beef tips taste even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld, so don’t hesitate to make a big batch!
FAQs About Your Slow Cooker Beef Tips
- Can I use a different cut of beef for these Slow Cooker Beef Tips?
Yes! While top sirloin is excellent for its flavor and tenderness, you can also use chuck roast, stew beef, or even round steak cut into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces. Adjust cooking time slightly if needed, as tougher cuts might require a bit longer to become fall-apart tender. - Is this recipe truly keto-friendly?
Absolutely! With only 3.0g net carbs per serving, these Slow Cooker Beef Tips are perfectly suited for a ketogenic diet. The thickening agents (glucomannan or xanthan gum) are also keto-approved. - Do I really need to sear the beef and sauté the mushrooms first? Can I skip those steps?
While you technically *can* skip them for a truly one-pot experience, searing the beef creates a rich crust that adds incredible depth of flavor (the Maillard reaction!), and sautéing the mushrooms enhances their umami. These steps make a significant difference to the overall taste and are highly recommended for the best Slow Cooker Beef Tips. - What if I don’t have glucomannan or xanthan gum for thickening?
If you’re not strictly keto or low-carb, you can use a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) or an arrowroot powder slurry (1 tablespoon arrowroot powder mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) instead. For keto options, a little cream cheese or heavy cream stirred in at the end can also add some body, though it won’t thicken quite the same way. - Can I add other vegetables to the slow cooker?
Certainly! Heartier vegetables like carrots, celery, or potatoes (if not keto) can be added to the slow cooker along with the beef broth. For softer vegetables like peas or green beans, add them during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy. - How can I make these beef tips spicier?
To add a kick, you can include a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings, or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce during the last hour of cooking or when serving. - Can I cook these Slow Cooker Beef Tips on high for longer than 5 hours if I need to?
While 5 hours on high is typically sufficient for tenderness, extending it by an hour or so won’t harm the dish. However, cooking for excessive periods (e.g., 8 hours on high) might cause the beef to become too dry or stringy, as the moisture can evaporate. It’s best to stick to the recommended times for optimal results. - What if my gravy is too thick or too thin after thickening?
If too thick, simply stir in a tablespoon or two of extra beef broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. If too thin, remove another half cup of liquid, whisk in a *tiny* pinch more glucomannan/xanthan gum (start with 1/8 teaspoon), and reintroduce to the slow cooker, stirring well. These thickeners are potent, so use sparingly! - Can I prepare these Slow Cooker Beef Tips the night before?
Yes, you can do the searing of the beef and sautéing of the mushrooms, then combine all ingredients in the slow cooker insert and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just place the insert into the slow cooker and start cooking. Ensure the insert comes close to room temperature before starting the slow cooker to avoid temperature shock. - What are some non-keto side dish recommendations for these beef tips?
For those not on a keto diet, these Slow Cooker Beef Tips are fantastic with creamy mashed potatoes, wide egg noodles, white or brown rice, crusty bread for dipping in the gravy, or even cheesy polenta.

Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms like button or cremini
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 pounds top sirloin trimmed and cut into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ensure gluten-free if preferred, or use tamari/soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon glucomannan or xanthan gum for thickening
Instructions
- 1. Sauté Mushrooms: Get a large skillet hot over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Add your sliced mushrooms and sprinkle them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté them until they're softened and nicely browned, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer these flavorful mushrooms to your slow cooker.
- 2. Sear Beef: Season your bite-sized beef pieces generously with salt and pepper. In the same hot skillet, brown half of the beef quickly on all sides to develop a rich crust and seal in the flavors. Move this browned beef to the slow cooker. Repeat with the remaining beef, ensuring all the delicious pan juices also go into the slow cooker.
- 3. Combine Flavors: Pour in the beef broth, minced garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder into the slow cooker. Give everything a good stir to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
- 4. Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and let it cook on the LOW setting for approximately 8 hours, or on HIGH for 5 hours. The goal is for the beef to become incredibly tender and practically fall apart.
- 5. Thicken the Gravy: Once the beef is cooked, carefully remove about one cup of the cooking liquid from the pot. In a separate bowl, whisk the glucomannan or xanthan gum into this liquid until it's smooth and lump-free. Pour this mixture back into the slow cooker and stir well to evenly thicken the savory gravy.
- 6. Serve & Enjoy: Taste the rich beef tips and adjust the seasonings (salt and pepper) if needed. Serve these comforting beef tips over creamy mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice for a wholesome, low-carb meal. A sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs makes a lovely finishing touch!
Notes
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Total Carbs: 3.4g
- Net Carbs: 3.0g
- Fats: 26.3g
- Protein: 30.9g