There is something wonderfully comforting about a meal that cooks slowly all day and fills the kitchen with an irresistible savory aroma. These Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Mushrooms are exactly that kind of dinner.

Tender pieces of beef are slowly simmered with mushrooms, onions, garlic, and a rich savory gravy until the meat becomes wonderfully tender. The finished dish is hearty, satisfying, and perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or buttery pasta.

Best of all, the slow cooker does most of the work, making this an excellent choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners.

Ingredients

For the Beef

2 pounds beef stew meat or sirloin tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Mushroom Gravy

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional

¼ cup heavy cream for a creamier gravy
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Season the Beef

Place the beef pieces in a large bowl.

Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss until the beef is evenly coated.

Add the flour and toss again until the pieces have a light coating.

The flour helps the beef brown nicely and also contributes to a thicker, richer gravy.

2. Brown the Beef

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Working in batches if necessary, add the beef and sear for about 2–3 minutes per side, just until browned on the outside.

You don’t need to cook the beef through at this stage.

Transfer the browned beef to your slow cooker.

Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Browning in batches gives the beef a much better flavor.

3. Cook the Mushrooms and Onions

Using the same skillet, add the butter.

Add the sliced mushrooms and onion and cook for about 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These flavorful bits will make the gravy even better.

Transfer the mushroom and onion mixture to the slow cooker.

4. Make the Slow Cooker Gravy

Pour the beef broth into the slow cooker.

Add the Worcestershire sauce, thyme, parsley, onion powder, and tomato paste.

Stir gently to distribute the ingredients around the beef and mushrooms.

5. Slow Cook

Cover and cook on:

LOW for 6–8 hours

HIGH for 3–4 hours

The beef should be very tender when finished.

Cooking time can vary depending on the cut and size of the beef pieces, so use tenderness as the main guide rather than relying only on the clock.

6. Thicken the Gravy

About 15–20 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl.

Stir until completely smooth.

Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently.

Cover and cook on HIGH for about 15–20 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.

If you prefer a richer, creamier sauce, stir in the heavy cream at this stage.

Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

7. Garnish and Serve

Transfer the beef tips and mushrooms to a serving dish or serve directly from the slow cooker.

Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.

Spoon plenty of the mushroom gravy over the top.

What to Serve With Beef Tips and Mushrooms

The rich gravy is perfect for soaking into something starchy.

Serve your beef tips with:

Creamy mashed potatoes
Buttered egg noodles
White or brown rice
Mashed sweet potatoes
Roasted potatoes
Steamed vegetables
Crusty dinner rolls
Buttered pasta

For the classic comfort-food experience, mashed potatoes are hard to beat.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Choose the Right Beef

Beef stew meat works particularly well because slow cooking allows tougher cuts to become tender.

Sirloin tips can also be used for a slightly different texture.

Brown the Beef First

While you can technically place the raw beef directly into the slow cooker, browning it first adds a deeper, more developed flavor to the finished dish.

Don’t Skip the Mushrooms

Mushrooms absorb the savory juices as they cook and add a wonderful meaty texture to the dish.

Cremini or white button mushrooms both work well.

Don’t Add Cornstarch at the Beginning

Cornstarch is best added near the end. Adding it too early can result in a less effective thickening effect during a long cooking period.

Let the Slow Cooker Do the Work

Avoid opening the lid repeatedly while the beef cooks. Each time you remove the lid, heat escapes and the cooking process can be delayed.

Easy Variations

Creamy Beef Tips

For a richer version, add ¼ to ½ cup heavy cream during the final 15–20 minutes.

You can also stir in a few tablespoons of cream cheese for an especially creamy sauce.

Onion and Mushroom Beef Tips

Increase the onions to two medium onions for an even richer onion flavor.

A little caramelization before adding them to the slow cooker makes the dish particularly flavorful.

Garlic Herb Version

Add extra minced garlic along with rosemary, thyme, and parsley for a more pronounced herb flavor.

Spicy Beef Tips

For a little heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a small amount of your favorite hot sauce.

Can You Make This Ahead?

Absolutely.

The beef tips can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated in a covered container.

When reheating, warm them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. If the gravy becomes too thick after refrigeration, add a small splash of beef broth and stir.

Storage

Allow leftovers to cool promptly, then refrigerate them in an airtight container.

They can generally be kept refrigerated for 3–4 days.

For longer storage, freeze the cooled beef and gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Final Thoughts

These Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Mushrooms are comfort food at its best. Tender beef, earthy mushrooms, onions, garlic, and a rich beef gravy come together in a dish that is simple enough for a weeknight but satisfying enough for a family dinner.

Serve it over creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles, spoon the savory mushroom gravy generously over the top, and you have a warm, hearty meal that everyone will want seconds of.