Beef Tips and Gravy: 14 Fall-Apart Grandma Suppers That Turn a Cheap Roast Into Sunday Dinner

These beef tips and gravy recipes taste like the first cold night of the year at grandma’s house, when the windows fogged up and a pot of something savory waited on the stove. Beef tips are a thrifty supper: an inexpensive chuck roast cut into chunks turns meltingly tender after a slow, gentle cook in rich brown gravy. Most of these work just like our slow cooker dump dinners, so you can start them in the morning and spoon them over mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, or biscuits by evening. You will find the classic five-ingredient version, a peppercorn skillet, cheesy grits, a golden pot pie, and a Burgundy-style pot made with nothing but broth. For a stovetop take on the Southern classic, Southern Living’s beef tips and rice is a handy guide. Grab a big spoon and let us dig in..

Classic 5-Ingredient Crockpot Beef Tips and Gravy

Grandma never measured much, but she always knew that a cheap chuck roast, a little patience, and a rich brown gravy could make a family feel rich. These beef tips and gravy start with just five ingredients in the crockpot, and by supper the beef is so tender it falls apart on the spoon. Tip: cut the chuck into 1 1/2-inch cubes and trim the big pieces of fat so the gravy stays silky. Spoon it over a cloud of creamy mashed potatoes..

You will need: 3 lb beef chuck roast cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup, 1 packet (1 oz) brown gravy mix, 1 packet (1 oz) dry onion soup mix, 1 cup beef broth

How to make it: 1. Place beef in a 6-quart slow cooker. 2. Whisk soup, gravy mix, onion soup mix, and broth and pour over. 3. Cover and cook on low 8 hours or high 4 to 5 hours until fork-tender. 4. Stir and serve over mashed potatoes.

Beef Tips and Gravy with Mushrooms Over Egg Noodles

Buttery egg noodles soaking up a savory mushroom gravy is the kind of supper that makes the entire week feel better. Fresh mushrooms cook down with the beef and give the gravy a deep, earthy flavor. Tip: brown the mushrooms in a skillet with butter for 5 minutes before adding them for the richest taste. Toss the noodles with a little parsley for color. If your family loves this, try more cozy egg noodle dinners. Wide noodles or extra wide?

You will need: 2 1/2 lb beef chuck cubed, 12 oz cremini mushrooms sliced, 1 onion diced, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire-style sauce, 3 tbsp cornstarch plus 1/4 cup water, 12 oz egg noodles, fresh parsley

How to make it: 1. Add beef, mushrooms, and onion to the slow cooker. 2. Pour in broth and Worcestershire-style sauce. 3. Cook on low 8 hours until tender. 4. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook on high 20 minutes. 5. Serve over buttered egg noodles.

Beef Tips and Gravy Over Buttered Biscuits

Split a warm, flaky biscuit, pour beef tips and gravy over the top, and you have a supper that tastes like a farmhouse kitchen. This is a wonderful way to stretch a pound or two of beef for a big family. Tip: brush the biscuits with melted butter right out of the oven so they stay soft under the gravy. Bake a batch of these homemade biscuits and rolls to go with it. Would you go with homemade or refrigerated biscuits?

You will need: 2 lb beef chuck cubed, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup, 1 packet (1 oz) brown gravy mix, 1 1/2 cups beef broth, 8 large biscuits, 2 tbsp butter melted

How to make it: 1. Place beef in the slow cooker. 2. Whisk soup, gravy mix, and broth and pour over. 3. Cook on low 8 hours. 4. Bake biscuits and brush with butter. 5. Split biscuits and spoon the beef tips over the top.

Peppercorn Beef Tips and Gravy

Coarse black pepper and a creamy gravy give these beef tips a steakhouse feel. The pepper adds gentle heat and a bold flavor that pairs perfectly with tender beef. Tip: coarsely crush full peppercorns with the bottom of a skillet for the best texture and aroma. Stir in a splash of cream at the end for a silky finish. If you love that peppery bite, try a classic steak au poivre next. Do you like a little pepper kick?

You will need: 2 1/2 lb sirloin tips or chuck cubed, 1 tbsp black peppercorns crushed, 2 cups beef broth, 1 onion diced, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 3 tbsp cornstarch plus 1/4 cup water

How to make it: 1. Season beef with the crushed pepper and add to the slow cooker with onion. 2. Pour in broth. 3. Cook on low 7 to 8 hours. 4. Stir in slurry and cream. 5. Cook on high 20 minutes until thick.

Beef Tips Over Cheesy Grits

Creamy, cheesy grits are a Southern comfort food, and they make the perfect bed for rich beef tips and gravy. It feels like a cozy diner breakfast turned into supper. Tip: use old-fashioned grits and whisk often so they stay smooth and creamy. Stir in sharp cheddar and a pat of butter at the end. For more cozy bowls, browse these Southern grits classics. Have you ever tried beef over grits?

You will need: 2 lb beef chuck cubed, 1 packet (1 oz) brown gravy mix, 2 cups beef broth, 1 onion diced, 1 cup old-fashioned grits, 4 cups water, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 2 tbsp butter

How to make it: 1. Cook beef, onion, gravy mix, and broth in the slow cooker on low 8 hours. 2. Bring water to a boil and whisk in grits. 3. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring often. 4. Stir in cheese and butter. 5. Spoon beef tips over the grits.

Southern Beef Tips and Rice

In Southern kitchens, beef tips over white rice is a weeknight staple that tastes like Sunday. The gravy is peppery, savory, and just thick enough to coat every grain. Tip: season the beef well with salt and black pepper before cooking, and add a bay leaf for an old-fashioned flavor. Remove the bay leaf before serving. This cozy supper is lovely with a skillet of buttermilk cornbread on the table. Is rice or potatoes the tradition at your house?

You will need: 2 1/2 lb beef sirloin tips or chuck cubed, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 onion diced, 2 cups beef broth, 1 bay leaf, 3 tbsp flour plus 1/4 cup water, cooked white rice

How to make it: 1. Season beef with salt and pepper and place in the slow cooker with onion. 2. Add broth and bay leaf. 3. Cook on low 7 to 8 hours. 4. Whisk flour and water and stir in, cooking on high 20 minutes until thick. 5. Remove bay leaf and serve over rice.

Beef Tips Poutine-Style Over Fries

Poutine is a Canadian comfort classic of crispy fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Topping it with tender beef tips turns it into a full meal that everyone digs into. Tip: bake the fries until extra crispy so they hold up under the hot gravy. Add the cheese curds while the gravy is steaming hot so they get soft and melty. Want to skip the frozen bag? Make these crispy homemade fries. Have you tried poutine before?

You will need: 2 lb beef chuck cubed, 1 packet (1 oz) brown gravy mix, 2 cups beef broth, 1 bag (28 oz) frozen fries, 1 1/2 cups cheese curds or mozzarella cubes

How to make it: 1. Cook beef, gravy mix, and broth on low 8 hours. 2. Bake fries until extra crisp. 3. Pile fries on a platter and scatter cheese curds. 4. Spoon hot beef tips and gravy over the top. 5. Serve right away.

Leftover Beef Tips Open-Faced Sandwich

An open-faced sandwich smothered in gravy is a classic diner lunch. Leftover beef tips on toasted bread taste even better the second day. Tip: toast the bread well so it holds up under the gravy, and reheat the leftovers gently with a splash of broth. Serve with a dill pickle and a side of mashed potatoes. For more ideas like this, see these hot sandwiches for dinner. Do you love leftovers as much as the first night?

You will need: 3 cups leftover beef tips and gravy, 1/4 cup beef broth, 4 thick slices white bread toasted, mashed potatoes and dill pickles for serving

How to make it: 1. Warm the beef tips with broth in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming. 2. Toast the bread. 3. Place toast on plates. 4. Spoon beef tips and gravy over. 5. Serve with mashed potatoes and pickles.

Beef Tips and Gravy Pot Pie Bake

Leftover beef tips find a second life in a golden pot pie bake. The beef and gravy mix with frozen vegetables, then get topped with a flaky pie crust. Tip: cut slits in the crust so the steam can escape and the crust stays crisp. Brush the top with egg for a beautiful golden shine. Love a flaky crust? Try a grandma-style chicken pot pie too. Who gets the corner piece?

You will need: 4 cups cooked beef tips and gravy, 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, 1 refrigerated pie crust, 1 egg beaten

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400 F. 2. Stir beef tips, gravy, and vegetables in a deep pie dish. 3. Top with the crust and crimp the edges. 4. Cut slits and brush with egg. 5. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Oven-Braised Beef Tips in a Dutch Oven

Before slow cookers, grandma braised beef tips low and slow in a heavy Dutch oven, and the entire house smelled amazing. This method gives you a deeply browned, rich gravy. Tip: brown the beef in batches so it sears instead of steaming, and scrape up every brown bit from the bottom of the pot. On the coldest nights, this pot is a cousin to old-fashioned beef stew. Do you still have grandma’s Dutch oven?

You will need: 2 1/2 lb beef chuck cubed, 2 tbsp oil, 1 onion diced, 3 tbsp flour, 3 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, salt and pepper

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 325 F. 2. Brown beef in oil in batches and set aside. 3. Cook onion, stir in flour and tomato paste, then whisk in broth. 4. Return beef, add thyme, cover, and bake 2 1/2 hours until tender. 5. Season to taste.

Burgundy-Style Beef Tips Made With Broth

This version captures the deep, rich flavor of a classic French beef stew using only broth and pantry staples. Beef broth, tomato paste, and a splash of balsamic vinegar create a gravy that tastes slow-simmered and elegant. Tip: add pearl onions and mushrooms for that classic look. Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Serve it with a basket of warm homemade bread for mopping the plate. Is this fancy enough for company?

You will need: 2 1/2 lb beef chuck cubed, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 8 oz mushrooms, 1 cup frozen pearl onions, 2 garlic cloves minced, 1 tsp dried thyme, 3 tbsp cornstarch plus 1/4 cup water

How to make it: 1. Add beef, mushrooms, onions, and garlic to the slow cooker. 2. Whisk broth, tomato paste, vinegar, and thyme and pour over. 3. Cook on low 8 hours. 4. Stir in slurry and cook on high 20 minutes.

Pressure Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy

Forgot to start the slow cooker this morning? An electric pressure cooker gives you fork-tender beef tips in about an hour. You can brown the beef right in the pot for extra flavor, then let pressure do the rest. Tip: let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes so the beef stays juicy. Thicken the gravy using the saute setting at the end. Prefer the crockpot after all? These slow cooker hacks help every time. Are you team slow cooker or team pressure cooker?

You will need: 2 1/2 lb beef chuck cubed, 1 tbsp oil, 1 onion diced, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire-style sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, 3 tbsp cornstarch plus 1/4 cup water

How to make it: 1. Brown beef in oil using the saute setting. 2. Add onion, broth, Worcestershire-style sauce, and garlic powder. 3. Seal and cook on high pressure 35 minutes. 4. Release pressure naturally 10 minutes. 5. Stir in slurry on saute until thick.

Beef Tips with Peppers and Onions

Colorful bell peppers and onions make this beef tips dinner feel bright and hearty at the same time. It is a little like a pepper steak, only more tender. Tip: add the peppers during the last hour so they keep a bit of bite and their vibrant color. A splash of soy sauce adds savory depth. Add a bowl of crunchy coleslaw on the side. Green peppers or a rainbow mix?

You will need: 2 1/2 lb beef chuck cubed, 1 onion sliced, 2 bell peppers sliced, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 2 garlic cloves minced, 3 tbsp cornstarch plus 1/4 cup water

How to make it: 1. Add beef, onion, garlic, broth, and soy sauce to the slow cooker. 2. Cook on low 7 hours. 3. Add peppers and slurry. 4. Cook on high 45 minutes more until thick. 5. Serve over rice.

Beef Tips with Carrots and Pearl Onions

Tender carrots and sweet pearl onions turn beef tips and gravy into a complete one-pot meal. It is colorful, hearty, and full of old-fashioned flavor. Tip: use thick carrot chunks so they stay intact during the long cook. Add a sprig of fresh rosemary for an aroma that fills the kitchen. It pairs beautifully with a basket of soft buttery dinner rolls. Is this the kind of dinner that brings your family together?

You will need: 2 1/2 lb beef chuck cubed, 4 carrots cut in thick chunks, 1 cup frozen pearl onions, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 sprig rosemary, 3 tbsp cornstarch plus 1/4 cup water

How to make it: 1. Add carrots and pearl onions to the slow cooker. 2. Top with beef, broth, tomato paste, and rosemary. 3. Cook on low 8 hours. 4. Remove rosemary and stir in slurry. 5. Cook on high 20 minutes.