Festive Slow-Cooked Beef Tips: The Ultimate Comfort Dish for Special Occasions

Introduction

The holiday season is synonymous with hearty, comforting meals that bring warmth to the table and smiles to everyone’s faces. Festive Slow-Cooked Beef Tips is the kind of dish that makes any special occasion feel even more extraordinary. Tender, succulent beef tips are slow-cooked in a rich and flavorful gravy until they practically melt in your mouth. The savory aromas fill your home as they simmer, making it the perfect dish to serve when you want something both comforting and elegant.

What makes this recipe so perfect for special occasions, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s dinner, is its ability to serve a crowd while remaining incredibly simple to prepare. The slow cooking process infuses the beef with rich flavors, making every bite irresistible. Whether you’re celebrating with family or friends, this dish will quickly become a favorite.

I first made this dish during the holiday season, and it became an instant hit. The combination of tender beef, rich gravy, and aromatic herbs is a winning formula, and it’s a great option for those who prefer a less traditional holiday meal while still capturing that festive, hearty flavor. If you’re looking for a way to elevate your holiday dinner or just need a satisfying meal for a cozy evening, Festive Slow-Cooked Beef Tips will not disappoint.

Let’s dive into why you’ll love this recipe and how to make it perfectly every time!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Yet Elegant: This dish looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated, but it’s made with basic ingredients and minimal effort. The slow-cooking method does all the hard work for you.
• Tender and Flavorful: The slow-cooking process makes the beef incredibly tender, and the rich gravy pulls everything together for a truly mouthwatering experience.
• Perfect for a Crowd: This recipe can easily be scaled up to serve more people, making it ideal for large gatherings, holiday dinners, or family get-togethers.
• Customizable: While this recipe has a classic flavor profile, you can add your own spin with different vegetables, spices, or even a splash of wine for an extra layer of depth.
• Minimal Hands-On Time: Once you have everything in the slow cooker, the dish essentially cooks itself, freeing up your time to focus on other parts of the meal or entertain guests.
• Great for Leftovers: This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had more time to develop. It’s perfect for meal prepping or serving the next day.

Preparation Time and Servings

• Total Time: 6-8 hours (Prep time: 10 minutes, Cooking time: 6-8 hours in a slow cooker)
• Servings: 6-8 servings
• Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
  Calories: 330
  Protein: 35g
  Carbs: 15g
  Fat: 12g

This recipe serves 6-8 people and can easily be adjusted to accommodate more or fewer guests. You can also freeze the leftovers for later, making this a great dish for meal prep.

Ingredients

For the Beef Tips:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat or beef tips (such as sirloin, chuck, or round)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth (or stock)
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional, but adds depth)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (for extra tang)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh thyme, if available)
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or fresh rosemary, if available)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Gravy:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (to thicken the sauce)
• 1 tablespoon butter (for finishing)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)

Optional vegetables (for added flavor and color):

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup frozen peas or green beans (for added freshness and color)

Step-by-Step Instructions

STEP 1: Brown the Beef

Start by seasoning the beef tips generously with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the beef on all sides, about 4-5 minutes total per batch, to develop a rich, caramelized crust. This step is essential for deepening the flavor of the beef.

Once browned, transfer the beef to the slow cooker. Repeat the process until all the beef has been browned and transferred to the slow cooker.

STEP 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same skillet where you browned the beef, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté them for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re softened and fragrant. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—this is where a lot of the flavor lies.

Once the onions and garlic are softened, pour in 2 cups of beef broth and 1/2 cup red wine (if using). Stir to combine, making sure to deglaze the pan completely. This will help lift all the fond (those flavorful bits) from the pan and incorporate them into the sauce. Allow the liquid to simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.

Transfer the liquid and aromatics into the slow cooker with the beef. Add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Stir everything together until well mixed.

STEP 3: Slow Cook the Beef Tips

Cover the slow cooker and set it on low heat. Let the beef tips cook for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and easily falls apart. The long cooking time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and ensures that the beef becomes incredibly tender.

If you’re short on time, you can cook it on high heat for about 4-5 hours, but the low-and-slow method will yield the best results.

STEP 4: Add the Vegetables (Optional)

If you’re adding vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or mushrooms, add them to the slow cooker about 2 hours before the cooking time is done. For vegetables that cook quickly, such as peas or green beans, you can add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

These vegetables will absorb the savory flavors of the beef and broth, contributing to the overall heartiness of the dish.

STEP 5: Make the Gravy

Once the beef is tender and cooked through, remove the beef and vegetables from the slow cooker and set them aside. You should have a flavorful liquid left in the slow cooker. To make a rich, velvety gravy, take about 2 tablespoons of flour and whisk it into the remaining liquid in the slow cooker. Stir the flour until it thickens, and cook it for about 5 minutes on the “keep warm” setting.

For a final touch of richness, stir in 1 tablespoon of butter and 1/4 cup of heavy cream if you want a creamy gravy. This will give the sauce a glossy texture and add a little extra luxury to the dish.

STEP 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the gravy is thickened to your liking, return the beef tips and vegetables to the slow cooker and mix everything together. Spoon the beef and vegetables onto plates and drizzle with the delicious gravy.

Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme to add color and a touch of freshness. Serve hot and enjoy!

How to Serve

This Festive Slow-Cooked Beef Tips dish is perfect for pairing with a variety of sides that complement its rich flavors. Here are a few ideas:

• Mashed Potatoes: The creamy, buttery texture of mashed potatoes pairs perfectly with the tender beef and gravy.
• Rice Pilaf: A fragrant rice pilaf with toasted almonds and a hint of lemon is a great side to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, or green beans are excellent side dishes that balance the richness of the beef.
• Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty loaf of bread is perfect for mopping up the remaining gravy.
• Salad: A light green salad with a tangy vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to the hearty beef.

For wine pairings, opt for a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Malbec, which will complement the depth of flavor in the beef.

Additional Tips

1. Use Good Quality Beef: Choose a good cut of beef stew meat or tips. Chuck, sirloin, or round are great options for slow cooking. These cuts become tender and flavorful when cooked slowly.
2. Don’t Skip the Browning: Browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker helps to develop deep, rich flavors that make the final dish so much more savory.
3. Customizing the Vegetables: You can adjust the vegetables to your preference. Root vegetables like parsnips, turnips, or rutabaga would also work well.
4. Make It Ahead: This recipe is great for meal prepping. You can prepare it the day before, refrigerate overnight, and reheat it the next day. It often tastes even better after the flavors have had time to develop.

Conclusion

Festive Slow-Cooked Beef Tips is the ultimate comfort food for special occasions. The melt-in-your-mouth beef, rich gravy, and optional vegetables come together to create a satisfying and memorable dish. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday feast, a family gathering, or a cozy dinner, this dish is sure to impress.

I hope this recipe brings a touch of warmth and joy to your festive celebrations. Enjoy the slow-cooked magic, and don’t forget to share your results—I’d love to see how it turns out for you!

Happy cooking!

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