Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Gravy

When we were first married, I remember my husband ordering Beef Tips w/Gravy at a restaurant- I thought he ordered it multiple times, but he only remembers once.  Anyway, I remember it being tasty and I've never even thought of making them myself, until I saw From Valerie's Kitchen's recipe lately. It looked easy enough, so I decided to make this, and it's very good! Especially the leftovers the next day.

The recipe calls for top sirloin.  I bought "beef round tip steak" instead, which was a fraction of the price, and even though it may be a tougher cut (although I know nothing about cuts of beef, but I assume it was tough because it was cheaper), the slow cooker is perfect for tough and inexpensive cuts of beef.  It cooks and breaks down to become very tender.

Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Gravy
adapted from Valerie's Kitchen

3 pounds top sirloin or top round tip steak, cubed
3 tablespoon oil, divided
1 teaspoon seasoning or garlic salt, divided
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dry thyme
1 cup diced onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons cornstarch

1.  Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12" cast iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When nice and hot, add half the beef cubes and season them with 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste. Allow to sear on all (or most) sides without cooking through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer beef to the slow cooker. Add remaining oil to pan and repeat with remaining beef cubes, seasoning salt and pepper.

2.  Add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker and sprinkle the beef with the Italian seasoning and thyme. Sprinkle the diced onions and garlic over the top. Add the bay leaf. 

3.  Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, or until beef is fork tender.
Turn slow cooker to HIGH; combine water and cornstarch in a small bowl and add to slow cooker. Stir until sauce has thickened and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve. Delicious serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.

**This post and photos are property of http://dishingwithdish.blogspot.com/ **