Beef Tips in a Crock-Pot: A Simple, Flavorful Recipe
Are you looking for a delicious and easy weeknight meal that's also perfect for meal prepping? Look no further than this slow cooker beef tips recipe! This recipe uses readily available ingredients and minimal prep time, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful beef tips. Perfect for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend meal.
What are Beef Tips?
Beef tips are simply small, bite-sized pieces of beef, typically cut from the sirloin or chuck. Their smaller size means they cook quickly and evenly, making them ideal for crock-pot cooking. This results in unbelievably tender beef that practically melts in your mouth.
Ingredients You'll Need:
- 2 lbs beef sirloin tip, cut into 1-inch cubes: This cut is lean and flavorful, making it perfect for this recipe. You can substitute chuck roast if you prefer.
- 1 large onion, chopped: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: A must-have for enhancing the savory profile.
- 1 cup beef broth: Provides moisture and enhances the flavor.
- 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce: Adds a unique savory and umami element.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce: Adds saltiness and depth of color.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Balances the savory flavors with a touch of sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Creates a rich and slightly thickened gravy.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: A classic herb pairing for beef.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Enhances the savory notes.
- Salt to taste: Adjust according to your preference.
Instructions:
- Sear the Beef (Optional): For added depth of flavor, you can sear the beef cubes in a little oil before adding them to the slow cooker. This step isn't necessary, but it adds a nice browned crust to the beef.
- Combine Ingredients: In your crock-pot, combine the seared (or unseared) beef, onion, garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, thyme, and pepper. Stir to ensure everything is well coated.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is incredibly tender.
- Thicken the Gravy: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crock-pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This helps thicken the sauce beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the beef tips over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or your favorite side dish.
Tips and Variations:
- Add Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or mushrooms during the last hour of cooking.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Use Different Herbs: Experiment with other herbs like rosemary or oregano.
- Make it a Meal Prep Winner: This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. Simply store the leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keyword Optimization:
This recipe post is optimized for keywords such as: beef tips crock pot recipe, slow cooker beef tips, easy beef tips recipe, tender beef tips, crock pot beef recipe, best beef tips recipe, simple beef tips recipe. The use of these keywords throughout the post naturally and organically improves search engine optimization. Furthermore, the use of semantic keywords like "slow cooker," "easy recipe," "tender beef," and "delicious meal" enhances the relevance of the content to search queries. The heading structure and use of bold text also contribute to better SEO.
This recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite! Enjoy!
