If you’re craving some serious comfort food, you’re in the right place, sweetie. These Southern Beef Tips and Gravy are a true classic, with tender beef tips swimming in a rich, savory gravy that will warm you from the inside out. This dish is pure, unadulterated deliciousness.
Imagine fork-tender beef, generously coated in a flavorful gravy, served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice – pure bliss!
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, rich, and deeply satisfying, with a hint of Southern warmth.
- Textures: Tender beef tips and a thick, velvety gravy.
- Total Time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly; the recipe is straightforward, with simple steps, but requires some patience.
What You’ll Need
This recipe is all about simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special. We’re working with tender beef tips as the star, simmered to perfection in a luscious gravy, with a few classic Southern touches.
Ingredient Notes
- Beef Tips These should be cut into approximately 1-inch pieces; you can often find them pre-cut for convenience. Look for a cut with some marbling for extra flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour This is used to lightly coat the beef, which helps it brown beautifully, as well as to thicken the gravy.
- Beef Broth Use a good-quality beef broth to build the flavorful base of your gravy. You can use low-sodium if you prefer.
- Tomato Paste This adds a depth of flavor that is essential to the Southern taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce Adds an umami, savory depth and complexity to the overall flavor of the beef tips and gravy.
- Cornstarch This is our trusty thickener, ensuring the gravy coats the beef tips just right.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the gravy for a little heat.
- Vegetable Boost: Toss in some sliced mushrooms or carrots along with the onions for extra vitamins and flavor.
How to Make Scrumptious Southern Beef Tips and Gravy
- In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Toss the beef tips in this mixture until they’re evenly coated.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef tips in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Brown them on all sides, then remove the beef and set it aside.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—those are flavor gold! Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and paprika. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Return the seared beef tips to the skillet. Reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the beef is incredibly tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the gravy and cook for a few minutes until it thickens.
- Pro Tip: Make sure the slurry is well mixed before adding it to the gravy so you don’t get any lumps.
- Serve the beef tips and gravy hot, preferably over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t be shy about browning the beef tips. The more color you get on them, the more flavor you’ll build into the gravy.
- When searing the beef, work in batches. Overcrowding the pan will lower the temperature and prevent the beef from browning properly.
- Let the beef simmer low and slow. This is essential for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Add more salt, pepper, or other herbs as needed.
- Take a moment to taste and adjust the gravy at the end. It’s easy to customize the flavors to your preference.
FAQs
- Can I use a different cut of beef?
You certainly can! Chuck roast is a good substitute; just be sure to cut it into roughly 1-inch pieces. - How can I make the gravy thicker?
If you want a thicker gravy, you can add a little more cornstarch slurry at the end. Or, you can simmer the gravy uncovered for a few extra minutes to help it reduce. - What if I don’t have Worcestershire sauce?
You can leave it out, but it does add a fantastic depth of flavor. If you want to replace it, you can try adding a splash of soy sauce or a dash of balsamic vinegar. - How do I know when the beef is tender?
The beef should be very tender and easily pierced with a fork. It should fall apart with gentle pressure.
Serving Suggestions
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing.
- Rice: Fluffy white or brown rice is an excellent base, just perfect for soaking up all that delicious gravy.
- Egg Noodles: A cozy and comforting alternative.
- Green Beans: Fresh or steamed green beans add a nice pop of color and freshness to the plate.
- Dinner Rolls: Perfect for soaking up the gravy straight from the skillet.
Make This Recipe in Advance
The gravy and beef tips can be made a day or two in advance. Simply cool the dish, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat it slowly on the stovetop when you’re ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. You can also freeze the beef tips and gravy for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Scrumptious Southern Beef Tips and Gravy
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
These Southern Beef Tips and Gravy are a true classic, with tender beef tips swimming in a rich, savory gravy that will warm you from the inside out. This dish is pure, unadulterated deliciousness.
Ingredients
2 pounds beef tips
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Instructions
In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Toss the beef tips in this mixture until they’re evenly coated.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef tips in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Brown them on all sides, then remove the beef and set it aside.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Pour in the beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—those are flavor gold! Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and paprika. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Return the seared beef tips to the skillet. Reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the beef is incredibly tender.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the gravy and cook for a few minutes until it thickens.
Pro Tip: Make sure the slurry is well mixed before adding it to the gravy so you don’t get any lumps.
Serve the beef tips and gravy hot, preferably over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
Notes
Don’t be shy about browning the beef tips. The more color you get on them, the more flavor you’ll build into the gravy.
When searing the beef, work in batches. Overcrowding the pan will lower the temperature and prevent the beef from browning properly.
Let the beef simmer low and slow. This is essential for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Add more salt, pepper, or other herbs as needed.
Take a moment to taste and adjust the gravy at the end. It’s easy to customize the flavors to your preference.
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern
