French Onion Beef Tips
This easy slow cooker dinner combines tender beef stew meat with rich French onion flavors, cooked low and slow until perfectly tender and topped with melted Gruyère cheese for a comforting family meal. It's the perfect set-it-and-forget-it recipe for busy school nights.
If there's one thing I love on a busy weeknight, it's a dinner that basically cooks itself while I juggle homework, laundry, and all the things that pop up! This French Onion Beef Tips recipe is one of my go-to crockpot meals for exactly that reason. It’s got all the cozy, savory flavors of classic French onion soup, but in a hearty, family-friendly beef and gravy form.
I just love how simple this one is. You dump everything into the slow cooker in the morning, set it on low, and go about your day. When dinner time rolls around, your house will smell amazing, and you’ll have incredibly tender beef tips ready to serve over a pile of mashed potatoes. It’s pure comfort food, without any of the fuss!
My kids absolutely devour this, and honestly, so do I! The rich, savory gravy combined with that melted Gruyère cheese is just irresistible. It’s proof that you can have a gourmet-tasting meal even on your busiest days – and with minimal effort, which is always a win in my book.
Instructions
Add the sliced onion and mushrooms to the bottom of your crockpot, then place the beef tips evenly on top.
Sprinkle the beefy onion soup mix, garlic powder, and black pepper over the beef.
Pour in the condensed French onion soup, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce, then stir everything together gently. Place the unsalted butter on top of the mixture.
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or until the beef is incredibly tender.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until you have a smooth slurry. Stir this mixture into the crockpot to thicken the gravy.
Cover and cook on high for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the gravy has visibly thickened.
Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese over the beef tips in the crockpot. Cover for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese until it's bubbly and golden.
Spoon the French onion beef tips and their rich gravy over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and serve warm for a comforting family meal.
Tips for the Best Results
- For a deeper flavor, quickly sear the beef stew meat in a hot pan for a few minutes before adding it to the crockpot.
- Don't skip the cornstarch slurry step; it's essential for thickening the gravy to that perfect spoonable consistency.
- If you don't have Gruyère, Swiss cheese makes a fantastic substitute, or even provolone for a milder option.
- Ensure your beef stew meat pieces are roughly uniform in size for even cooking and tender results.
- Serve immediately after the cheese melts to enjoy the warm, gooey topping at its best.
Variations & Substitutions
- Try adding a splash of red wine or brandy (about 1/4 cup) with the broth for an even richer, more complex gravy.
- Swap out the beef stew meat for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or pork shoulder cut into chunks for a different protein option.
- Serve these beef tips over egg noodles, rice, or even crusty bread instead of mashed potatoes.
- Stir in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last 30 minutes of cooking for an added veggie boost.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover French onion beef tips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the beef tips and gravy on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If reheating from frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight first. For smaller portions, microwave on 50% power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until warm, adding a splash of beef broth if the gravy seems too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of beef?
Yes, you can use chuck roast cut into stew meat-sized pieces. It will become wonderfully tender in the slow cooker.
What if I don't have condensed French onion soup?
You can use an additional 1 1/4 cups of beef broth and add a teaspoon of onion powder, but the condensed soup really helps create that signature flavor.
Can I cook this on high heat?
While possible, I recommend sticking to low heat for the majority of the cooking time to ensure the beef gets incredibly tender without drying out.
Can I make this dairy-free?
You can omit the Gruyère cheese, and ensure your beef broth and butter substitutes are dairy-free.
My gravy isn't thickening enough, what should I do?
If after the additional cook time on high your gravy is still too thin, you can mix another tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in, cooking for another 10-15 minutes.
You May Also Like
Slow Cooker MealsLoaded Ranch Baked Potato Soup
This Loaded Ranch Baked Potato Soup is one of my favorite easy crockpot dinners because you can let it cook on low all day while you’re at work and the kids are at school.
Slow Cooker MealsSlow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole
This Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole is cheesy, flavorful, and perfect for busy school nights!
Slow Cooker MealsCajun Garlic Butter Drumsticks
These Slow Cooker Cajun Garlic Butter Drumsticks are juicy, full of flavor, and require barely any prep, making them perfect for a busy weeknight. Add everything to your slow cooker and let it do the work!