⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 6–8 hours (hands-off)

This recipe is for when you're running from class to work to walking the dogs and just need dinner to make itself. You literally dump everything into the slow cooker—no chopping, no searing, no babysitting—and hours later you’ve got melt-in-your-mouth beef tips in a rich, savory gravy that tastes like you did something special (you didn’t, but that’s our little secret).

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*Fall-apart tender beef tips in a thick, cozy onion gravy—no chopping, no stress.*

This is one of those “set it and forget it” classics that works every single time. I use pre-cut beef stew meat and lean on pantry shortcuts like onion soup mix and canned condensed soup to build tons of flavor without lifting a knife. It’s the perfect thing to serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice—whatever you’ve got on hand.

And because it makes a good amount, it’s excellent for leftovers. The gravy gets even better the next day. It also freezes well, which is great if you're cooking once and coasting through the rest of the week.

🍽️ Servings: 4–6 • 🔥 Calories/Serving: 425

Ingredients

2 lbs beef stew meat (pre-cut cubes)
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening at the end)

Steps

Step 1

Add the beef cubes to your slow cooker.

Step 2

In a bowl, mix together the onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and water. Pour it over the beef.

Step 3

Stir gently to coat all the meat in the sauce. Put the lid on.

Step 4

Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 5–6 hours, until the beef is tender and falls apart with a fork.

Step 5 (optional)

If you want the gravy thicker: mix cornstarch and water, stir into the slow cooker, and cook on HIGH for 10–15 more minutes until thickened.

Step 6

Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or even crusty bread.

Make it your own!

🧄 Amp up the flavor
Add a teaspoon of garlic powder or a splash of soy sauce to the mix.
🥩 Swap the soup
Not into mushrooms? Use cream of onion or cream of celery instead.
🥔 Go full cozy
Toss in a bag of baby potatoes for a full one-pot meal—no chopping needed!
🥦 Veg it up (minimal effort)
Stir in a bag of frozen peas or green beans during the last 30 minutes.