Step 4: Deglaze the Skillet
Pour a small amount of the beef broth into the skillet and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon.
Those browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan contain a tremendous amount of flavor. Loosening them and incorporating them into the liquid gives the gravy a richer, more developed taste.
Pour the skillet mixture into the slow cooker with the beef.
Step 5: Add the Gravy Ingredients
Pour the remaining beef broth into the slow cooker.
Add the Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and rosemary. Stir gently to distribute the ingredients around the beef and mushrooms.
At this point, the mixture may look fairly thin. Don’t worry—that will change as the gravy finishes cooking and is thickened later.
Step 6: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover the slow cooker and cook until the beef is tender.
LOW: approximately 6–8 hours
HIGH: approximately 3–4 hours
Cooking times can vary depending on the size and cut of the beef, so use tenderness as the best indicator rather than relying exclusively on the clock.
The beef should be easy to cut with a fork when it is ready.
Step 7: Thicken the Mushroom Gravy
About 15–20 minutes before serving, prepare the thickener.
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with cold water. Stir until completely smooth. This creates a slurry and helps prevent lumps from forming in the gravy.
Pour the slurry into the slow cooker while stirring gently.
Add the butter and stir again.
Cover and cook on HIGH for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened into a rich gravy that coats the beef and mushrooms.
A Creamier Variation
If you prefer a creamy mushroom gravy, stir in about ½ cup of sour cream after turning the slow cooker to LOW or OFF. Add it gradually and stir gently until incorporated.
Avoid aggressively boiling the gravy after adding sour cream, as high heat can cause it to separate.
Step 8: Taste and Adjust
Before serving, taste the gravy.
Add additional salt or black pepper if needed. If you want a slightly brighter flavor, a tiny splash of Worcestershire sauce can add extra depth.
For a fresh finishing touch, sprinkle chopped parsley over the beef tips.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Tips
The rich mushroom gravy deserves something that can soak it all up.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are perhaps the most classic pairing. Spoon the beef and plenty of gravy over the top for a comforting dinner.
Egg Noodles
Wide egg noodles work beautifully because their soft texture catches the mushroom gravy.
White or Brown Rice
Rice provides a simple base and allows the beef and gravy to remain the star of the meal.
Roasted Vegetables
Serve with roasted carrots, green beans, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts for a more complete plate.
Crusty Bread
Don’t overlook a piece of warm crusty bread. It’s perfect for enjoying every last bit of gravy.
Tips for the Best Beef Tips
Don’t overcrowd the skillet. If you’re browning the beef, cook it in batches. Too much meat at once can cause the beef to steam instead of brown.
Use cold water for the cornstarch slurry. Mixing cornstarch with hot liquid can encourage lumps. Cold water creates a smoother mixture.
Don’t add the cornstarch at the beginning. Adding it too early can result in a gravy with an undesirable texture. Thicken the sauce near the end of cooking.
Give the beef enough time. Tougher cuts benefit from the long, gentle cooking process. If the meat isn’t tender yet, give it additional time rather than rushing the process.
Taste before serving. Broth and Worcestershire sauce can vary in saltiness, so it’s better to adjust the seasoning at the end.
Make-Ahead and Leftover Instructions
Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy is an excellent make-ahead meal.
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate and enjoy within a few days.
When reheating, warm the beef and gravy gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If the gravy becomes too thick after refrigeration, add a small splash of beef broth while reheating and stir until it reaches the desired consistency.
You can also freeze the cooked beef and gravy in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy is the kind of recipe that turns simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying homemade meal. The beef slowly develops a tender texture while the mushrooms, onions, garlic, herbs, and beef broth come together to create a rich gravy.
Serve it over creamy mashed potatoes or tender egg noodles, add a simple vegetable on the side, and you have an easy comfort-food dinner that feels much more special than the effort required to make it.
The best part? Once everything is in the slow cooker, you can step away and let time do the hard work.
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