Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! When you’re craving a rich, savory, and incredibly tender beef dish that practically cooks itself, my recipe for No Peek Beef Tips is your absolute hero. This isn’t just beef; it’s a magnificent pot of succulent beef pieces swimming in a thick, flavorful gravy, made effortlessly in your oven. The best part? True to its name, you don’t even have to peek! Get ready for a comforting meal that promises tender, juicy beef and minimal fuss.
Why I Love This Recipe
What’s not to love about a meal that delivers maximum flavor and tenderness with literally no effort during cooking? I am absolutely obsessed with No Peek Beef Tips because they truly embody “set it and forget it” convenience. The magic happens in the oven, where the beef slow-cooks in its own juices and a savory broth, creating unbelievably tender meat and a rich, deeply flavored gravy without you having to lift the lid. It’s fantastic for a cozy weeknight dinner, perfect for feeding a hungry family, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, the aroma filling your home as it bakes is simply divine, promising deliciousness to come!
The Secret of “No Peek” Cooking
The “No Peek” cooking method is a testament to the power of consistent, low-and-slow heat, typically in an oven. The key is to create a sealed environment (often using foil tightly over a casserole dish) that traps moisture and allows the ingredients to braise and tenderize in their own juices and added liquids. This method prevents evaporation, ensuring that the meat stays incredibly juicy and flavorful, and that the sauce develops a rich consistency without drying out.
For beef tips, this technique is particularly effective. Tougher cuts of beef benefit immensely from long, gentle cooking, which breaks down connective tissues and renders them melt-in-your-mouth tender. The inclusion of condensed soups and seasonings often found in “no peek” recipes (similar to dump-and-bake casseroles) further simplifies the process, creating a cohesive, savory gravy with minimal fuss. This No Peek Beef Tips recipe leverages that genius, offering a delicious, hearty meal that’s truly effortless.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these tender and flavorful No Peek Beef Tips:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat or sirloin tips, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup (or another can of cream of mushroom)
- 1 (1 ounce) packet dry onion soup mix
- 1 cup beef broth (low sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional Garnish: Fresh chopped parsley or chives
Swaps and Notes
- Beef: Beef stew meat (often chuck roast) or sirloin tips are excellent choices as they become incredibly tender with long, slow cooking. Cut them into uniform 1 1/2-inch cubes for even cooking.
- Condensed Soups: The combination of cream of mushroom and cream of celery soups creates a classic, rich, and creamy gravy base. You can use two cans of either if you prefer. For a from-scratch version, you could make a cream sauce with a roux, broth, and milk, seasoned similarly.
- Dry Onion Soup Mix: This is a crucial ingredient for a savory, umami-rich flavor and helps thicken the gravy. Do not skip it for the authentic “no peek” taste.
- Beef Broth: Low-sodium beef broth allows you to control the overall saltiness. A good quality broth will enhance the flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This adds a crucial savory, umami punch that deepens the beef flavor.
- Seasoning: Garlic powder and black pepper are simple yet effective. You can add a pinch of dried thyme or rosemary for extra depth.
Steps for the Recipe
Let’s get these tender beef tips cooking in your oven!
- Prepare Oven & Dish: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (or a similar size casserole dish with a lid).
- Combine Ingredients: Place the beef stew meat or sirloin tips in the prepared baking dish.
- Make Sauce Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, condensed cream of celery soup, dry onion soup mix, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper until well combined and smooth.
- Pour Over Beef: Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the beef in the baking dish, ensuring all the beef is submerged.
- Cover & Bake (No Peek!): Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or a tight-fitting lid. This is the “no peek” part! Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 3 hours without lifting the lid.
- Check Tenderness & Serve: After 3 hours, carefully remove the dish from the oven and remove the foil/lid. The beef should be incredibly tender and the gravy thick and rich. If the gravy is too thick, you can stir in a splash more beef broth. Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper) if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives if desired. Serve hot.
Tips for Success
- No Peeking! (Seriously): The sealed environment and trapped steam are crucial for tenderizing the beef and preventing the gravy from drying out. Resist the urge to lift the lid!
- Tightly Covered Dish: Ensure your baking dish is sealed completely with foil or a tight-fitting lid. This creates the necessary braising environment.
- Uniform Beef Cubes: Cut your beef into roughly equal-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Condensed Soups & Onion Soup Mix: These ingredients are key to the classic “no peek” gravy. Don’t substitute them for best results.
- Patience is Key: The long, slow cooking time is what breaks down the beef’s connective tissues, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
- Adjust Gravy Consistency: After baking, if the gravy is thicker than you prefer, simply whisk in a little more beef broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
No Peek Beef Tips are a hearty, satisfying main course that pairs beautifully with:
- Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate classic pairing! Creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up the rich gravy.
- Egg Noodles: Hot, cooked egg noodles are another fantastic choice for soaking up all that delicious gravy.
- Rice: Serve over a bed of fluffy white rice or brown rice.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for dipping into the savory gravy.
- Steamed Vegetables: A simple side of steamed green beans, asparagus, or roasted broccoli provides a nice balance to the richness.
- Other Comfort Foods: This dish complements other hearty meals well, such as a side of This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole (if serving a very large crowd).
- Beverage Pairings: A robust red wine (like a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon), iced tea, or a simple glass of water.
Storage and Leftover Tips
No Peek Beef Tips make fantastic leftovers, and the gravy often thickens and deepens in flavor overnight!
- Refrigerate: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The gravy will thicken considerably upon chilling.
- Reheat: To reheat, gently warm portions in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water to thin out the gravy and bring it back to your desired consistency. Stir frequently. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well. Once completely cooled, transfer to freezer-safe containers, leaving some headspace. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently, adding liquid as needed.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoyed the comfort and savory flavors of this dish, you might also like these other hearty and easy-to-make meals:
- For another deep, comforting bowl with Southern flavors, my This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo Is My Favorite Bowl of Southern Comfort is a must-try.
- For truly simple, satisfying comfort food that lets your oven do the work, you’ll love These Easy Turkey Wings Are My Favorite Comfort Food for Lazy Sundays.
- For a classic comforting pasta dish, you can’t go wrong with my Classic Spaghetti Recipe with Homemade Sauce.
- And for a fantastic cheesy slow cooker dip that’s always a hit, check out This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is The Reason I Never Have Leftovers.
Final Thoughts
No Peek Beef Tips are a true triumph of comfort food – they offer all the rich, savory, and cozy flavors you crave in a hearty beef dish, with the incredible convenience of hands-off cooking. It’s perfect for chilly evenings, easy meal prepping, or simply indulging in pure, tender comfort. This recipe is a game-changer that will quickly become a beloved staple in your kitchen.
I hope you give this amazing recipe a try and enjoy every comforting, tender bite! Let me know in the comments below if this becomes your new go-to beef tips recipe, or what your favorite “no peek” dishes are. I always love hearing from you! Happy cooking!
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