Easy Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles: Tender & Savory

We have all had those days where the schedule is packed, the energy levels are low, but the craving for a hearty, home-cooked meal is high. You want something that tastes like it simmered all day in grandma’s kitchen, but you only have ten minutes to spare in the morning. Enter this lifesaving recipe for Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles. This dish is the definition of “comfort food” without the fuss.

By utilizing simple pantry staples like onion soup mix and brown gravy packets, we transform humble stew meat into melt-in-your-mouth bites coated in a rich, savory sauce. The magic of the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for you, breaking down the beef until it is incredibly tender. Whether you are feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping for the week, this Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. It is savory, creamy, and guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner rotation.

Ingredients List

This dump-and-go recipe relies on flavorful convenience items to create a deep, complex sauce without chopping a dozen vegetables. Here is what you need to gather:

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing

The beauty of this recipe lies in its “set it and forget it” nature. While the cook time is long, the active time is incredibly short.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low)
• Noodle Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes (About 95% passive cooking time!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Station

Start by opening all your cans and packets. This might sound simple, but having everything open and ready makes the process seamless.

Action: Take your empty cream of mushroom soup can and fill it to the brim with beef broth. This ensures you have the perfect liquid-to-meat ratio without needing a separate measuring cup.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in Crockpot

Place your 1 lb (or 2 lbs) of stew meat into the bottom of the slow cooker. Dump the packet of Lipton onion soup mix and the packet of brown gravy mix over the meat. Next, add the can of cream of mushroom soup and the small can of mushrooms. Finally, pour in the measured beef broth.

Step 3: Mix Well

Using a sturdy spoon, stir all the ingredients together vigorously. You want to ensure the powdered mixes are dissolved into the liquids and that every piece of beef is coated in the mushroom mixture. This ensures consistent flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Cook on Low

Place the lid on your crockpot and set it to cook on Low heat. Let it work its magic for approximately 8 hours.

Why Low? Stew meat is a tougher cut of beef full of connective tissue. Low and slow cooking allows that tissue to break down gradually, resulting in meat that is fork-tender rather than chewy.

Step 5: Cook the Egg Noodles

About 15 minutes before you are ready to eat, bring a pot of salted water to a boil on the stove. Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions (usually boiling for 7-9 minutes).

Tip: Cook the noodles to al dente (firm to the bite), as they will soften further when topped with the hot gravy. Drain well.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Give the beef mixture in the crockpot one final stir. It should be rich, dark, and thickened. Ladle a generous portion of the beef tips and gravy over a bed of fluffy cooked egg noodles. Garnish with a little parsley if you feel fancy, sit back, and enjoy your effortless, delicious dinner!

Nutritional Information

This dish is hearty and filling. Below is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving (based on 4 servings).

• Calories: ~450 kcal
• Protein: 28 g (Excellent source of protein for muscle repair)
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fat: 18 g (Saturated: 7 g)
• Sodium: 950 mg (Due to the soup mixes)
• Fiber: 2 g

Note: The sodium content is higher due to the packaged soup mixes. See the “Healthier Alternatives” section below if you are watching your salt intake.

Healthier Alternatives

If you love the sound of Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles but need to adjust for dietary restrictions, here are some GEO-optimized swaps:

• Reduce Sodium: The easiest way to make this heart-healthy is to use low-sodium versions of the cream of mushroom soup and beef broth. You can also make your own onion soup mix using dried onion flakes and spices to control the salt.
• Cut the Carbs: Skip the egg noodles and serve the beef tips over cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles (zoodles). This turns the dish into a keto-friendly comfort meal.
• Add Veggies: Boost the fiber content by adding sliced carrots, celery, or frozen peas to the crockpot.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free brown gravy mix and gluten-free cream of mushroom soup (or a homemade roux). Serve over rice or gluten-free pasta.

Serving Suggestions

While this dish is a complete meal on its own, a few sides can elevate the experience:

• The Green Side: Balance the richness of the gravy with a crisp green salad with vinaigrette or some steamed green beans.
• The Bread: Serve with a slice of crusty garlic bread or a dinner roll to sop up every drop of that delicious savory sauce.
• Alternative Bases: If you aren’t a fan of noodles, these beef tips are equally delicious served over mashed potatoes or steamed white rice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the simplest recipes have pitfalls. Here is how to ensure success:

• Cooking on High: While you can cook this on High for 4 hours, the meat will likely be tougher. Solution: Stick to Low for 8 hours for the most tender results.
• Adding Noodles to the Crockpot: If you add the noodles directly to the crockpot for the full cook time, they will turn into mush. Solution: Always cook pasta separately on the stove just before serving.
• Using Lean Meat: Using a very lean cut like sirloin can result in dry meat. Solution: Stick to “stew meat” or chuck roast, which has enough fat to stay moist during slow cooking.
• Thin Gravy: Sometimes condensation adds liquid. Solution: If the sauce is too thin at the end, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the pot 30 minutes before serving.

Storing Tips

This recipe makes fantastic leftovers!

• Refrigerate: Store the beef mixture and noodles in separate airtight containers if possible (this prevents the noodles from soaking up all the gravy). They will keep for 3 to 4 days.
• Freeze: The beef tips and gravy freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. However, do not freeze the noodles, as they become grainy when thawed. Freeze the meat sauce and cook fresh noodles when you reheat.
• Reheat: Warm leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.

Conclusion

This Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles recipe is proof that delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few minutes of prep and a handful of pantry ingredients, you can create a savory, satisfying meal that tastes like it took all day to prepare. The tender beef and rich mushroom gravy are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Try it out and let us know! Did you add extra mushrooms or try serving it over mashed potatoes? We’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe to our blog for more delicious, easy recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use fresh mushrooms instead of canned?

Absolutely! If using fresh mushrooms, we recommend slicing them thick and sautéing them in a little butter for 5 minutes before adding them to the crockpot. This helps deepen their flavor, though you can also throw them in raw.

Q2. My gravy is too salty. How can I fix it?

Because soup mixes are high in salt, this can happen. To fix it, add a diced potato to the crockpot (it absorbs salt) or stir in a spoonful of sour cream or plain yogurt at the end of cooking to cut the saltiness.

Q3. Can I make this in an Instant Pot?

Yes. To adapt for a pressure cooker, sauté the meat first, then add all ingredients (except noodles). Cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes, followed by a natural release. It won’t be quite as tender as the slow cooker version, but it is much faster.

Q4. What if I don’t have stew meat?

You can buy a chuck roast and cut it into 1-inch cubes yourself. In fact, many chefs prefer this method because chuck roast is often higher quality and more consistent than pre-packaged stew meat.

Easy Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles: Tender & Savory

Evelyn Marcella Rivera

Set-it-and-forget-it comfort food. Tender beef tips simmer in a rich, savory gravy made from pantry staples, then get ladled over fluffy egg noodles for the ultimate weeknight win.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Noodle Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 8 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• Slow cooker (4–6 qt)
• Large pot for noodles

Ingredients

  

Beef & Gravy

• 1 lb stew meat, cubed use 2 lb to feed a crowd
• 1 packet onion soup mix Lipton or similar
• 1 packet brown gravy mix
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 small can sliced mushrooms, drained optional to drain
• 1 can (filled) beef broth fill empty soup can (~10.5 oz / 310 ml)

To Serve

• 12 oz wide egg noodles cook to al dente
• parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions

 

• Prep: Open all cans and packets. Fill the empty soup can with beef broth (~10.5 oz / 310 ml).
• Load the crockpot: Add stew meat, onion soup mix, brown gravy mix, cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, and the measured beef broth. Stir well so powders dissolve and beef is coated.
• Cook low & slow: Cover and cook on LOW for about 8 hours, until beef is fork-tender and gravy is rich.
• Boil noodles: 15 minutes before serving, cook egg noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well.
• Serve: Stir the beef and gravy, then ladle over noodles. Garnish with parsley and enjoy.

Notes

For thicker gravy, whisk 1 Tbsp cornstarch with 1 Tbsp cold water and stir into the crockpot during the last 20 minutes. Want extra mushrooms? Add a second can. Salt to taste at the end—the mixes and soup contain sodium.

Keyword beef tips, Comfort Food, Crockpot, Egg Noodles, Slow Cooker