If you’re craving something rich, savory, and incredibly comforting, this Beef Tips with Mushrooms recipe will win your heart. With chunks of tender beef bathed in a luscious brown gravy and loaded with earthy mushrooms, it’s a soul-warming dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or hosting a cozy dinner, this is one of those recipes that always delivers satisfaction.

The beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability—you can throw everything into a slow cooker and let it work its magic all day, or use the Instant Pot when you’re short on time but still want maximum flavor. Either way, the result is a hearty, protein-packed meal that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or even buttered noodles.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into the ingredients, let’s set you up for success with the right tools. Each one plays a crucial role in achieving that fall-apart tender beef and deep, rich flavor:

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: The star appliances for this dish. A slow cooker offers the benefit of “set it and forget it,” ideal for busy days. The Instant Pot speeds up the cooking process without sacrificing tenderness or flavor.
Searing Skillet or Sauté Function (Instant Pot): Searing the beef first enhances the flavor by locking in juices and building that caramelized base.
Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Essential for stirring without damaging your cookware.

Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accuracy matters when balancing bold flavors like beef broth, Worcestershire, and spices.
Chef’s Knife & Cutting Board: To prep the beef cubes and slice mushrooms evenly for consistent cooking.

Having these tools ready ensures a smooth cooking process and makes clean-up a breeze.

Ingredients for the Beef Tips with Mushrooms

To create the deep flavor and texture that makes this recipe shine, each ingredient has its own job to do:

Beef Stew Meat (chuck or sirloin tips): The star of the dish, chosen for its marbling and ability to become fork-tender after slow cooking.
Mushrooms (sliced, white or cremini): They soak up the savory juices and bring earthy balance to the richness of the beef.

Beef Broth: Acts as the flavorful base of the gravy, infusing the meat with umami depth.
Onion (diced): Brings sweetness and aromatic depth when cooked down.
Garlic (minced): Enhances the savory flavor and adds that signature aroma.

Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complexity, saltiness, and just a touch of tangy zip.
Soy Sauce: A secret weapon for building umami flavor.
Thyme (dried or fresh): Gives the dish a warm, herbaceous undertone.

Cornstarch + Water (slurry): Thickens the gravy into a silky coating that clings to each bite.
Olive Oil or Butter: Used for searing to create that flavorful golden crust.
Salt and Pepper: The essential flavor enhancers.

How To Make the Beef Tips with Mushrooms

Step 1: Sear the Beef

Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet or use the sauté function on your Instant Pot. Brown the beef tips on all sides to lock in flavor and create a rich base. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Step 2: Layer in the Flavor

Transfer the seared beef to your slow cooker or leave it in the Instant Pot. Add sliced mushrooms, diced onions, and minced garlic.

Step 3: Pour in the Goodness

Combine the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the beef and mushrooms.

Step 4: Cook It Low and Slow (or Fast!)

Slow Cooker Method: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
Instant Pot Method: Seal and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, then allow natural release for 10–15 minutes.

Step 5: Thicken the Gravy

Once cooked, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir it into the beef mixture. For the slow cooker, turn it to high and let it cook for another 15 minutes until thickened. For the Instant Pot, use the sauté function to simmer until thickened.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Spoon generously over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Top with a sprinkle of parsley if desired.

Best Way to Serve and Store These Beef Tips

Serve your Beef Tips with Mushrooms hot over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy white rice, or buttery egg noodles. The rich gravy soaks into your starch of choice, creating an indulgent comfort meal that’s hard to resist. Add a side of roasted green beans or crusty bread for a complete plate.

To store leftovers, let the beef tips cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. They keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the dish for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight and reheat in a saucepan or microwave until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of beef is best for beef tips?

Chuck roast or sirloin tips are ideal. They have enough fat and connective tissue to become super tender when cooked low and slow.

Can I skip searing the beef?

Technically yes, but you’ll miss out on that rich, caramelized flavor. Searing adds depth that really elevates the dish.

Do I need to use mushrooms?

Nope! While mushrooms add earthy flavor and texture, you can leave them out or substitute with bell peppers or carrots.

How do I thicken the gravy if it’s too runny?

Use a cornstarch slurry—just mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1–2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the hot gravy.

What can I serve this with besides mashed potatoes?

Try it over egg noodles, white or brown rice, cauliflower mash for low-carb, or even a slice of crusty French bread.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

As long as you use gluten-free soy sauce and check your broth and Worcestershire labels, yes—it’s easy to keep this recipe gluten-free.

Want More Comfort Food Dinner Ideas?

If you loved these savory beef tips, here are more hearty favorites from my kitchen you should check out next:

Longhorn Parmesan Chicken is crispy, cheesy, and perfect for dinner nights that need a little indulgence.
Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells are oven-baked with gooey cheese and packed with flavor.

Taco Ranch Bites make a fun dinner or party snack when you want zesty, cheesy bites.
Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes are perfect for kids and adults alike—crispy, saucy, and stuffed with cheese.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole gives you all the creamy, meaty flavor of the classic dish without the fuss.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time: Life With Olivia on Pinterest.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go with the slow cooker or Instant Pot? Did you sneak in extra mushrooms—or leave them out?

I love seeing how others make these recipes their own. If you’ve got questions or variations, drop them below—let’s share ideas and cook smarter together!

Beef Tips with Mushrooms (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

Author: Olivia McKenney
Total Time: ~8 hours (or 1 hour with Instant Pot)
Yield: 6 servings

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Description

Tender chunks of beef simmered with mushrooms in a rich brown gravy—this recipe works beautifully in either a slow cooker or Instant Pot. It’s comforting, flavorful, and perfect served over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet or the sauté function of your Instant Pot.
Brown the beef tips on all sides in batches.
Transfer beef to slow cooker or leave in the Instant Pot

Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic. In a bowl, mix together beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour over beef and veggies. Cook: – Slow Cooker: Low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours. – Instant Pot: High pressure for 35 minutes; natural release for 10–15 minutes.
Mix cornstarch and water into a slurry. Add to cooked beef. – For Slow Cooker: Turn to high and cook 15 minutes until thick. – For Instant Pot: Use sauté to simmer until thickened.
Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

Searing the beef before slow cooking adds deep, caramelized flavor—don’t skip this step for best results.

Make the slurry fresh when you’re ready to thicken; adding it too early may cause clumping. For extra depth, add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to the broth mix.