There’s something about a pot of tender beef simmering away in rich, warm gravy that makes a kitchen feel like home. The kind of dish that slows down a busy evening, softens the edges of a long week, and brings everyone a little closer to the table. Beef tips and gravy are old-fashioned comfort the kind that fills the house with savory aromas and promises big, cozy bites.
This version leans on the Instant Pot for speed, but the flavors taste like they’ve been lovingly tended all afternoon. Soft onions, earthy mushrooms, silky gravy, and beef that practically melts when you breathe on it this is the kind of recipe that invites you to linger just a little bit longer.
Curl up, get your pot warm, and let’s bring this classic comfort to life.
Ingredients You’ll Need
A handful of pantry staples and simple savory ingredients come together to make a gravy that’s rich, silky, and full of depth.
- 2 pounds beef tips – for that tender, fall-apart texture.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper – adds just the right warming edge.
- 2 (0.87 oz) packets brown gravy mix – helps create that classic, nostalgic gravy base.
- 2 cups beef broth – rich, deep, cozy flavor.
- 2 tablespoons oil (canola or olive) – for browning.
- 1 medium onion, chopped – sweetens as it cooks.
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced – aromatic and comforting.
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce – brings the savory “something special.”
- 1 (1 oz) packet onion soup mix – old-school flavor magic.
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms – earthy and perfect with gravy.
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup – creamy richness.
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch – for thickening, if you like a heartier gravy.
How to Make It
Step 1: Season the Beef
Sprinkle the black pepper over the beef tips and give them a little toss. The pepper wakes up the flavor before anything even hits the pot.
Step 2: Mix the Gravy Base
In a large bowl, whisk the beef broth with the brown gravy packets. It becomes a silky, savory mixture that smells like pure comfort.
Step 3: Sauté the Beef
Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and warm the oil until it shimmers. Add the beef tips and listen for that satisfying sizzle. Let them brown on all sides those golden bits on the bottom build flavor.
Step 4: Add the Aromatics
Stir in the chopped onion and let it soften, sweeten, and mingle with the beef. Add the garlic and let it bloom for 30 fragrant seconds before turning off sauté mode.
Step 5: Layer the Flavors
Sprinkle in the onion soup mix and drizzle in the Worcestershire sauce. Pour the broth/gravy mixture over everything, letting it settle into every nook. Scatter the mushrooms on top, then gently spread the cream of mushroom soup over them like a cozy blanket.
Step 6: Pressure Cook
Seal the lid, select Manual or Pressure Cook, and set to high pressure for 25 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure use that moment to enjoy the warm, savory aroma filling the kitchen.
Step 7: Natural Release
Once the timer ends, let the pot sit undisturbed for 20 minutes. This resting time keeps the beef tender. Then switch the steam release knob to Venting and lift the lid.
Step 8: Thicken the Gravy (If You Like)
Give the gravy a taste and see if the consistency makes you happy. If you want it thicker, whisk together a little cornstarch and hot gravy to make a smooth slurry, then stir it back into the pot. Let it rest for 5 minutes while the gravy thickens into something luscious.
Step 9: Serve
Scoop generously over fluffy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles. Add warm rolls on the side—they’re just waiting to soak up the extra gravy.
Beef Tips and Gravy
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Tongs
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef tips
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 0.87 oz packets brown gravy mix
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons oil (canola or olive)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1 oz packet onion soup mix
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Sprinkle pepper on beef tips. Whisk broth and gravy packets together.
- Set Instant Pot to sauté. Heat oil and brown beef on all sides.
- Add onion and sauté 3–4 minutes. Add garlic for 30 seconds. Turn off sauté.
- Add Worcestershire and onion soup mix. Pour in the broth mixture. Add mushrooms and spread cream of mushroom soup on top.
- Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Natural release for 20 minutes.
- Stir. If thicker gravy is desired, whisk cornstarch with hot gravy to form a slurry. Stir into pot and rest 5 minutes.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or noodles.
Cozy Tips & Serving Ideas
- Add a splash of red wine before cooking for deeper, richer flavors.
- Stir in a spoonful of sour cream at the end for extra creaminess.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or even crusty toast.
- Add fresh thyme or parsley for a bright pop on top.
- Leftovers warm beautifully—perfect for next-day comfort.
Final Cozy Thought
There’s a simple joy in watching a pot of beef tips and gravy come together the bubbling broth, the soft onions, the warmth that fills the whole kitchen. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people in close, invites them to sit, and gives you a moment to breathe.