Easy No Peek Beef Tips Recipe

The perfect comfort food, No Peek Beef Tips, features juicy, fork-tender meat simmered in a rich, savory mushroom sauce. This easy crockpot recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right in your own home. The secret to achieving perfect tenderness? Don’t peek! Keeping the slow cooker covered traps steam, ensuring incredibly tender beef every single time. Whether you’re preparing a cozy weekend dinner or an easy meal for a busy weekday, this dish promises simplicity and irresistible flavor with minimal effort.

Why Will You Love This No-Peek Beef Recipe?

Anyone who enjoys delicate, delicious beef tips but wants to keep dinner basic will find this dish ideal.

• This is a real set-it-and-forget-it dinner. Just prepare the ingredients, put them in the slow cooker, and then leave until dinner time.
• The “no peek” technique ensures consistently highly tender meat. By fighting the impulse to lift the lid, you’ll lock in moisture and flavor.
• Minimal ingredients mean less supermarket shopping and speedier cooking, yet the flavor is rich and deeply gratifying.
• Ideal for weeknight meals or cozy parties, this recipe blends simple ingredients into a memorable comfort dish everyone will adore.

Ingredients You’ll need

• To prepare these tasty beef tips, you’ll need cubed beef. Chuck roast or stewed pork is perfect for its tenderness and flavor. Alternatively, you can use sirloin or round steak if preferred.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup is the base of the flavorful gravy, offering richness and depth. Condensed soup works best to attain the necessary consistency.
• Onion Soup Mix increases the meaty flavor and simplifies seasoning. It’s an easy method to add layers of taste without additional components.
• Seasonings include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. These pantry items improve the taste without overwhelming the dish.
• Olive oil is vital for searing the beef cubes, providing a golden-brown coating and sealing in fluids. You can substitute avocado or canola oil if preferred.
• Beef stock adds moisture and helps create a delectable gravy. For an extra depth of flavor, swap part of the broth with dry red wine.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Begin by sprinkling the beef cubes with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, evenly coating each piece.
2. Get your skillet hot over medium-high heat, then add some olive oil. Sear the beef cubes in batches, turning periodically, until browned on all sides. Transfer seared beef to the crockpot.
3. In the crockpot, combine the seared beef cubes with cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and beef broth. Stir gently to incorporate and coat all ingredients.
4. Place the lid tightly on the crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Do not lift the lid during cooking to maintain moisture and tenderness.
5. Once cooked, gently mix the meat tips and gravy. Serve hot, preferably over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, to thoroughly appreciate the delicious gravy.

Recipe Tips for Tender Beef

• Selecting the appropriate cut of beef is vital. Chuck roast or stewed meat is good because it becomes tender and delicious when cooked slowly.
• Searing beef is crucial. This process locks in taste and fluids, providing rich, caramelized edges.
• Resisting the impulse to peek under the crockpot cover assures tenderness. Each look releases vital steam and can increase cooking time.
• Adjust the gravy thickness to your desire by whisking in a little bit of cornstarch combined with cold water at the end of cooking.

Recipe Variations & Adaptations

You can prepare No Peek Beef Tips fast in an Instant Pot. Simply sear the steak using the sauté mode, then pressure cook on high for 25 minutes and let it naturally release.

If you prefer using your oven, bake the beef tips covered securely in a baking dish at 300°F for about 3 hours or until soft.

For gluten-free adjustments, use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and onion soup mix. Dairy-free alternatives include dairy-free cream soups.

To lighten the recipe, choose low-sodium broth and reduced-fat mushroom soup. You can also substitute olive oil with a calorie-conscious cooking spray.

Enhance the depth of flavor by swapping half of the beef broth with dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, to make a wine-infused gravy.

Serving Ideas & Pairings

No Peek Beef Tips are wonderful served over creamy mashed potatoes, which perfectly absorb the rich mushroom gravy.

If you prefer something lighter, fluffy steamed rice or buttery egg noodles make fantastic options.

Complement the meal with veggies like roasted carrots, steamed green beans, or sautéed broccoli. These sides bring color, nutrition, and freshness to complement the rich flavors of the beef tips.

For a complete dining experience, accompany this cozy dish with crusty bread or warm dinner rolls, which are great for mopping up additional gravy.

Beverage alternatives like a powerful red wine, a light beer, or sparkling water with lemon increase the overall enjoyment of the meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you prepare beef strips so they are not chewy?

To prevent beef strips from becoming chewy, cut the beef against the grain into thin slices. Marinate the strips briefly in an acidic mixture, such as vinegar or lemon juice, to help break down stiff fibers. Cook quickly over high heat in small batches to minimize steaming and ensure tender, juicy results.

Can you use cream of chicken with beef tips?

Yes, you can use cream of chicken soup with beef tips as an alternative if you want or if cream of mushroom isn’t available. While the flavor profile will shift slightly, the cream of chicken offers a savory richness that complements beef, creating a creamy, tasty gravy.

How do you make beef tips less chewy?

To guarantee beef tips become soft and not chewy, use a cut with good marbling, such as chuck roast. Sear them immediately to lock in the liquids, then simmer them at a low temperature using a crockpot or oven. Avoid removing the lid during slow cooking, as keeping moisture is vital to obtaining fork-tender beef tips.

Is cornstarch or baking soda better for velveting beef?

Baking soda is superior for velveting beef. It effectively tenderizes the meat by breaking down tough proteins, giving it an incredibly soft feel. Sprinkle a tiny amount of baking soda over beef slices, let them sit for 15-20 minutes, rinse completely, and then cook. Cornstarch, meanwhile, is more useful for coating beef and generating a silky sauce rather than tenderizing.

Storage, Freezing, & Reheating

Store leftover No Peek Beef Tips in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For prolonged storage, put cooled beef tips in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, eliminating as much air as possible. Mark the containers with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, defrost frozen beef tips in the refrigerator overnight. Gently warm leftovers in a pot on the stove over medium heat, stirring periodically. You may alternatively reheat portions in the microwave, covered, using short intervals and stirring between each to maintain softness and avoid overcooking.

A Taste of Home: My Grandma’s No-Peek Beef Tips Secret

I’ll never forget those cozy Sunday afternoons at my grandma’s farmhouse. As soon as we stepped inside, the comforting aroma of beef tips simmering in the crockpot filled every room.

The savory scent of rich mushroom gravy drifted through the air, mingling with the faint sound of classic jazz softly playing in the background.

Grandma always smiled knowingly whenever someone asked about the irresistible tenderness of her beef tips. One chilly evening, she finally revealed her secret—just a splash of red wine and a sprinkle of fresh thyme stirred gently into the gravy before sealing the crockpot lid tight.

“No peeking, remember,” she’d say, tapping the lid with a wink.

Today, as I prepare these same No Peek Beef Tips for my own family, my heart swells watching my son carefully measure that splash of wine, just as Grandma taught me.

It’s more than just a recipe—it’s our family tradition, a delicious way to keep her memory alive around our table.

Now, it’s your turn to create new memories with this comforting dish. Bring the warmth and nostalgia of No Peek Beef Tips to your kitchen tonight, and share a taste of home with those you love.

We’d love to see your delicious results! Snap a picture and share it with us on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #RecipeMagic.

Tell us in the comments—what’s your family’s secret ingredient for the perfect No Peek Beef Tips?

Looking for more comforting dishes? Try these reader favorites next:

• Lamb Breast — juicy, flavorful lamb breast slow-roasted to perfection, perfect for hearty meals.
• Grilled Red Pepper Mexican Chicken— tender grilled chicken seasoned with smoky red peppers and authentic Mexican spices.
• Roasted Leg of Lamb – Succulent, herb-infused roasted lamb leg, ideal for special occasions or Sunday dinners.

From my family kitchen to yours—happy cooking!