Get ready for an incredibly comforting and satisfying meal that practically cooks itself! These Easy Beef Tips transform humble stew meat into unbelievably tender, fall-apart deliciousness, swimming in a rich, savory gravy. With just a few simple ingredients and a hands-off baking method, it’s the ultimate fuss-free dinner solution that’s perfect for a cozy family meal.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Easy Beef Tips recipe is a true weeknight champion in my kitchen, and I absolutely adore it for its unbeatable simplicity and incredible tenderness! What I love most is how effortlessly it creates a meal that tastes like it simmered all day, but with minimal effort. The combination of cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy mix, and beefy onion soup mix creates an intensely savory, deeply flavorful gravy that coats every piece of beef. The low-and-slow baking process ensures the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, soaking up all those delicious flavors. It’s a hearty, wholesome meal that truly feels like a warm hug, and the absolute best part? No peeking required, just set it and forget it!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delicious Easy Beef Tips:
- 2 lbs stew meat (beef chuck or beef stew meat, cut into 1-1.5 inch cubes)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 packet (about 0.87 oz) brown gravy mix
- 1 envelope (about 1 oz) beefy onion soup mix (such as Lipton Beefy Onion)
- 1 can (10.5 oz, refilling the cream of mushroom soup can) water
Swaps and Notes
- Stew Meat: Beef chuck, beef stew meat, or even beef round cut into 1-1.5 inch cubes will work well. The low and slow baking process will ensure tenderness.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Provides creaminess and umami. You can use cream of celery or cream of chicken soup if preferred, but mushroom is classic here.
- Brown Gravy Mix: This adds a rich, savory gravy base.
- Beefy Onion Soup Mix: This is a key flavor component, adding a savory, oniony depth. Do not substitute with plain onion soup mix, as “beefy” is important here.
- Water: Using the empty soup can to measure water ensures a consistent ratio. You can also use beef broth for extra flavor.
- Optional Additions: For more vegetables, you could add sliced mushrooms, carrots, or celery (sliced thicker to withstand long cooking) to the baking dish with the beef, but this may affect the gravy consistency slightly.
Instructions
Let’s get these delicious Easy Beef Tips baking!
- Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Combine Ingredients: In a 9×13-inch baking pan, add the 2 lbs stew meat. Pour in the 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 packet brown gravy mix, and 1 envelope beefy onion soup mix. Refill the empty cream of mushroom soup can with water and add that 1 can of water to the pan.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together in the baking pan until the stew meat is well coated and the soup and gravy mixes are mostly dissolved.
- Cover & Bake (No Peeking!): Cover the baking pan tightly with aluminum foil. This creates a steamy environment that tenderizes the beef. Place the covered pan in the preheated oven and bake for 3 hours. No peeking! Resist the urge to lift the foil, as releasing the steam will affect the tenderness.
- Serve: After 3 hours, carefully remove the pan from the oven and remove the foil (be cautious of escaping steam). The meat will be super tender and delicious, practically falling apart. Stir the gravy to combine before serving. Serve hot with your favorite side dish, such as creamy mashed potatoes, steamed white rice, or cooked egg noodles.
Tips for Success
- Tightly Sealed Foil: Ensure the aluminum foil creates a very tight seal around the baking dish. This traps the steam, which is essential for tenderizing the stew meat during the long, low bake.
- Low and Slow: The 300°F temperature and 3-hour bake time are crucial for breaking down the tough fibers in stew meat, resulting in incredibly tender beef tips.
- No Peeking! Resist the urge to lift the foil during baking. Every time you peek, steam escapes, and the cooking process is interrupted, which can make the meat tougher.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish is designed to create its own rich gravy, making it perfect for serving over a neutral base like mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles to soak up all the delicious sauce.
- Adjust Consistency (Post-Bake): If the gravy seems too thick after baking, you can whisk in a tiny splash of hot water or beef broth until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, simmer it uncovered on the stovetop over medium heat for a few minutes.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Easy Beef Tips are a complete and incredibly satisfying meal, and they pair wonderfully with classic comfort food sides:
- Mashed Potatoes: The ideal choice for soaking up the rich, savory gravy.
- Steamed White Rice: Another excellent option for absorbing the delicious sauce.
- Egg Noodles: Cooked al dente, egg noodles are fantastic tossed with the beef tips and gravy.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for sopping up any extra gravy.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp side salad with a vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast.
- For other incredibly popular, crowd-pleasing meals, consider our This Mexican Chicken And Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always A Hit or our These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To For Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Easy Beef Tips make fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors deepen!
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The gravy will thicken considerably as it cools.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You will likely need to add a splash of beef broth or water to thin the gravy back to a desirable consistency. Avoid boiling rapidly. You can also reheat in the microwave.
- Freezing: Cooked beef tips and gravy freeze very well! Allow them to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3-4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as directed above.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the hearty, comforting, and deeply flavorful nature of this slow-baked dish, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that bring warmth and satisfaction to your table:
- For another classic pasta and meat dish, check out our Classic Spaghetti Recipe With Homemade Sauce.
- If you’re a fan of satisfying casseroles, our This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut is a fun winner.
- And for a hearty pasta bake made simple, our This Instant Pot Lasagna Is My Favorite Way To Make Comfort Food Fast is a fantastic time-saver.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Beef Tips are a brilliant solution for bringing a truly comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal to your table with minimal effort. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, promising a pan full of rich, savory, and fall-apart tender goodness that will make everyone happy.
Give this recipe a try and let the delicious aromas fill your kitchen! What’s your favorite set-it-and-forget-it comfort food meal? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy cooking!
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