This Pioneer Woman Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe is a tender and savory recipe, which is made with chuck roast and beef broth. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 2 hours.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Beef Tips And Gravy Recipe Ingredients
- 2 ½ to 3 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
How To Make Pioneer Woman Beef Tips And Gravy
- Season the Beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together the dried thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the beef cubes.
- Sear the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, add the beef cubes and sear them on all sides until deeply browned. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the butter to the pot. Once the butter is melted, add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make the Gravy Base: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked onions and garlic. Stir constantly and cook for about 1-2 minutes, until the flour is golden brown. This step is crucial for a rich, nutty-flavored gravy.
- Deglaze and Combine: Slowly pour in the beef broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Simmer the Beef: Return the seared beef tips (and any accumulated juices) to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 1 hour.
- Thicken and Tenderize: After an hour, uncover the pot and continue to simmer for another 45-60 minutes, or until the beef is fork-tender and the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve hot.

Recipe Tips
- How do I get the richest flavor? Don’t rush the searing process. Browning the beef cubes well on all sides creates a deep, caramelized flavor (known as the Maillard reaction) that forms the foundation of the entire dish.
- What’s the secret to a good, non-lumpy gravy? The key is to cook the flour with the butter and onions (creating a roux) before slowly adding the liquid. Pour in the beef broth gradually while whisking constantly to ensure a smooth, thick gravy.
- Can I control the saltiness? Yes, it’s highly recommended to use low-sodium beef broth and low-sodium soy sauce. This allows you to control the final seasoning of the dish yourself by adding salt to taste at the end.
- Is this recipe good for making ahead? Absolutely. Like many stews, the flavor of this dish actually improves overnight. It’s a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or for meal prepping.
What To Serve With Beef Tips and Gravy
This rich and savory dish is practically begging to be served over something that can soak up all the delicious gravy.
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Fluffy egg noodles
- Steamed white or brown rice
- Crusty bread for dipping
How To Store Beef Tips and Gravy
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Let the dish cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop.
Beef Tips and Gravy Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 633 kcal per serving
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What’s the best cut of beef for beef tips?
Boneless chuck roast is the ideal choice. It has great marbling, which makes the beef incredibly tender and flavorful after slow simmering. Stew meat or bottom round roast can also be used.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Follow the steps for searing the beef and making the gravy on the stovetop. Then, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
My gravy isn’t thick enough. How can I fix it?
If your gravy isn’t as thick as you’d like after simmering, you can make a slurry by whisking together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this into the simmering gravy and cook for a few minutes until it thickens.
Pioneer Woman Beef Tips And Gravy Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings20
minutes1
hour40
minutes633
kcalIncredibly tender beef tips simmered in a rich, savory, and deeply flavorful homemade gravy until they melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
2 ½ to 3 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, cubed
Seasoning: 2 tsp dried thyme, 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper
1 medium yellow onion, chopped & 3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp vegetable oil & 2 tbsp unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce & 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Season the beef cubes with the thyme, salt, and pepper.
- In a large pot, sear the beef in hot oil in batches until well-browned on all sides; set aside.
- Sauté the onion in butter and remaining oil until soft, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in the broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Return the beef to the pot, bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low for 1 hour.
- Uncover and continue to simmer for another 45-60 minutes until the beef is tender and the gravy has thickened.
Notes
- Taking the time to properly brown the beef is the most important step for developing a deep, rich flavor.
- To avoid a lumpy gravy, add the broth slowly while whisking constantly after the flour has been browned.
- Using low-sodium broth and soy sauce gives you better control over the final saltiness of the dish.
- This dish tastes even better the next day, making it a great option for meal prep.