Melt-in-Your-Mouth Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Beef Tips with Rich Mushroom Gravy (No Canned Soups!)

Discover the ultimate comfort food with our homemade beef tips and savory mushroom gravy, designed for effortless preparation in your slow cooker or Instant Pot. Say goodbye to canned soups! Our recipe promises incredibly tender beef, enveloped in a luscious, from-scratch gravy that’s packed with flavor. Perfect for serving over creamy mashed potatoes, wholesome cauliflower mash, classic egg noodles, or fluffy rice, this dish is guaranteed to become a family favorite.

There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of homemade comfort food to bring a sense of peace and satisfaction to a busy weeknight. Today, we’re diving into a recipe that embodies just that: succulent beef tips swimming in a rich, deeply flavored mushroom gravy, all piled high on a cloud of creamy mashed potatoes. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary embrace, a delicious reward after a long day.

Our homemade beef tips recipe has earned its place as a cherished family favorite. When the evenings are a whirlwind of activities and time is of the essence, I need a dinner solution that’s both comforting and hands-off. This is where these beef tips truly shine. Pop them into your slow cooker or Instant Pot, and let the magic happen. The result? A remarkably tender beef dish with a gravy so delicious, it makes the day’s worries melt away with every single bite.

My husband, a true fan of hearty “man-food,” is always thrilled when this dish is on the menu. And I? I’m elated because it requires minimal fuss and cleanup. While he graciously handles the dinner dishes, my joy truly stems from the recipe’s incredible balance: minimum prep work for maximum, unforgettable flavor. It’s the kind of meal that makes you look forward to leftovers, knowing they’ll taste even better the next day, a rare feat for many dishes.

Watch How to Make the Best Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy

One of the most common questions I receive from my community is about recipe adaptability. If I share an Instant Pot recipe, I’m inevitably asked for slow cooker instructions, and vice-versa. That’s why this particular recipe is designed to cater to everyone! Whether you’re an Instant Pot enthusiast craving speed and convenience or a slow cooker devotee who loves set-it-and-forget-it, all-day simmering, this recipe has you covered. Both methods excel at transforming tougher cuts of beef into incredibly tender, fall-apart morsels, making them perfect for this dish. Let’s harness the power of our favorite kitchen gadgets to create an extraordinary dinner that almost cooks itself, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy the evening.

The inspiration for this phenomenal beef tips with mushroom gravy recipe draws from the legendary Mississippi pot roast. I absolutely adore the way a classic brown gravy transforms after mingling with the bright, tangy kick of pepperoncini peppers. However, I make it a point to steer clear of store-bought gravy mixes and canned soups whenever possible. This recipe champions a completely from-scratch gravy, built from simple, wholesome ingredients you likely already have stocked in your pantry. With the exception of one or two unique items, everything is a common household staple, making this an incredibly accessible and quick-to-assemble meal even on the busiest of weeknights.

Crafting gravy from scratch not only ensures you control every ingredient, avoiding unnecessary additives, preservatives, and high sodium content often found in packaged mixes, but it also allows for a depth of flavor that’s simply unparalleled. The rich aromas that fill your kitchen as this dish simmers are a testament to the quality of fresh, whole ingredients. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, from the moment you start preparing it until the last delicious bite, promising a robust, savory flavor that canned alternatives simply cannot match.

Essential Ingredients for Tender Beef Tips and Savory Gravy

Creating truly spectacular beef tips with mushroom gravy relies on a harmonious blend of simple yet powerful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and achieving that signature melt-in-your-mouth tenderness we all crave in comfort food.

• Butter: We begin our flavor journey by searing the beef. First, the beef is seasoned generously with flour, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This seasoned beef is then seared in butter, not just to impart a rich, buttery flavor, but also to create a beautiful ‘fond’ layer at the bottom of your pot or skillet. This caramelized goodness is a fundamental flavor builder, ensuring every subsequent ingredient benefits from its rich, savory base.
• Beef (Chuck Roast or Stew Meat): For beef stews and beef tips, I consistently reach for a well-trimmed chuck roast or round roast, cut into uniform 1-inch cubes. These tougher cuts are absolutely perfect for slow cooking or pressure cooking because their higher collagen content breaks down beautifully over extended, moist heat, resulting in unbelievably tender, fall-apart meat. Sometimes, I’ll purchase ‘beef stew meat’ from the grocery store, which offers a convenient shortcut, saving you the time of having to trim and cut the meat yourself. Either option works wonderfully for this recipe, as the goal is a cut that thrives under longer cooking times.
• All-Purpose Flour: Beyond its role as a thickening agent for the final gravy, flour is essential in this recipe for creating that desirable golden-brown crust on the beef when we sear it. This browning step contributes significantly to the overall depth of flavor, making it indispensable.
• Chopped Onions: A foundational aromatic, diced onions impart a subtle sweetness and critical depth, forming the backbone of the gravy’s flavor profile. As they soften and caramelize gently after the beef searing, they release wonderful savory notes that enrich the entire dish.
• Mushrooms (Baby Bella preferred): Crucial for our “no canned soup” gravy, fresh mushrooms (I prefer baby Bella for their robust flavor) add a delightful meaty texture and an intense umami punch that pairs exquisitely with beef. We’re building authentic mushroom flavor from the ground up, moving far beyond anything a can of cream of mushroom soup could offer.
• Seasonings (Garlic Powder, Sugar, Onion Powder, Dried Thyme, Mushroom Powder): Our carefully selected blend includes garlic powder for aromatic depth, a touch of sugar (to balance flavors and aid in browning), onion powder to reinforce the onion flavor, dried thyme for an earthy, herbaceous note, and mushroom powder for an extra layer of concentrated umami. This combination cleverly mimics and elevates the savory notes often found in commercial dry onion soup mixes, but with natural ingredients and enhanced depth.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A true powerhouse of umami, Worcestershire sauce adds a complex, savory depth that is indispensable for rich beef dishes. Its fermented notes enhance the overall meaty flavor, making the gravy truly exceptional.
• Pepperoncini Peppers: This is our secret weapon! These mild, tangy peppers, along with a splash of their brine, introduce a distinctive peppery acidity to the dish. This brightness expertly cuts through the richness of the beef and butter, providing a sophisticated flavor contrast that keeps each bite exciting and utterly satisfying. Trust me, this ingredient is a game-changer; it’s what makes the leftovers taste even better on day two!
• Beef Broth or Stock: This forms the essential liquid base in which the beef and vegetables gently simmer and cook to perfection. Opt for low-sodium varieties to have better control over the overall seasoning of your dish, allowing you to adjust salt levels to your personal preference.
• Cornstarch: Towards the very end of the cooking process, we’ll create a simple cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with a small amount of cold water. This natural thickening agent is vital for achieving that perfectly luscious, velvety gravy consistency without resorting to processed gravy packets or heavy cream.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Easy Crock Pot or Instant Pot Beef Tips

Whether you choose the gentle, long simmer of a slow cooker or the rapid, intense pressure of an Instant Pot, the steps to achieve these incredibly tender beef tips are straightforward and designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort.

1. Embrace the Flavor of Searing (The Maillard Reaction): This initial step is absolutely non-negotiable for truly flavorful beef tips. Begin by liberally seasoning your beef cubes with a generous coating of all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This coating will help create a beautiful crust. Next, heat the butter until shimmering in your Instant Pot (using the ‘Sauté’ setting) or in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat if you’re using a slow cooker. Sear the beef in small batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, until a rich, golden-brown crust forms on all sides. This browning, known as the Maillard reaction, develops deep, complex savory flavors that are absolutely essential for the dish’s richness. Remove the seared beef to a plate. Add your diced onions to the hot pot or skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits (the ‘fond’) left behind by the beef. This step deglazes the pan, infusing the onions and ultimately the gravy with an unparalleled depth of flavor.
2. Let Your Appliance Do the Work (Cooking Phase): Now it’s time for your chosen kitchen appliance to take over. If using a slow cooker, transfer the seared beef and sautéed onions into the crock. Add all the remaining ingredients listed in the recipe (except for the cornstarch, which is reserved for thickening at the end). Pour in the specified amount of low-sodium beef broth or stock. Secure the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-7 hours, until the beef is incredibly fork-tender and easily pulls apart. If using an Instant Pot, return the seared beef and onions to the pot. Add the remaining ingredients (again, reserving the cornstarch) and the specified amount of beef stock. Seal the lid, set the valve to ‘Sealing,’ and cook on ‘Manual’ or ‘Meat/Stew’ setting at high pressure for 35 minutes.
3. Achieve Gravy Perfection (The Slurry): Once the cooking cycle is complete (for Instant Pot, allow a natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes before quick-releasing any remaining pressure to ensure maximum tenderness), it’s time to transform the rich cooking liquid into a luxurious, velvety gravy. For both methods, carefully ladle about ½ cup of the hot cooking liquid into a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of cold water until a smooth, lump-free slurry forms. Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the reserved hot liquid, ensuring it’s fully combined. Now, pour this cornstarch mixture back into the main pot with the beef tips. If using a slow cooker, continue to simmer on high for another 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency. For an Instant Pot, select the ‘Sauté’ setting (use ‘less’ or ‘normal’ depending on your model) and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the gravy visibly thickens. If the gravy becomes too thick, you can always thin it with a tablespoon or two of extra beef broth or water. Adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper if needed.
4. Serve with Your Favorite Sides: The beauty and versatility of these tender beef tips are that they pair beautifully with a variety of comforting accompaniments. Classic choices include creamy mashed potatoes (for an extra indulgent twist, try my garlicky mashed potatoes or a rich cheddar cheese variety). For a lighter, low-carb option, serve them over fluffy mashed cauliflower. They are also incredibly delicious spooned over broad egg noodles, allowing the gravy to cling to every strand, or simply served atop a bed of perfectly cooked white or brown rice to soak up all the flavorful juices. Whatever your preference, prepare to be amazed by the depth of flavor in every spoonful!

This Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a testament to the power of homemade comfort. It’s incredibly rewarding to create such a deeply satisfying dish from scratch, knowing every ingredient contributes to its rich, savory profile. The tender beef, the velvety mushroom gravy, and the ease of preparation make it a true kitchen hero for busy individuals and families alike. We hope you and your loved ones enjoy this flavorful journey as much as we do, and that it brings warmth and joy to your dinner table!