Beef Tips with Mushrooms: A Comfort Food Classic for Your Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
When the weather calls for comfort food, nothing beats a bowl of tender Beef Tips with Mushrooms. This dish combines melt-in-your-mouth beef chunks, earthy mushrooms, and a savory, rich sauce for a meal that feels indulgent yet is incredibly easy to prepare. Whether you’re a fan of slow-cooking or prefer the speed of an Instant Pot, this recipe adapts beautifully to your needs.
Perfect over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or hearty noodles, these beef tips are versatile enough for a casual family dinner or a cozy weekend treat. Let’s dive into how to make this ultimate comfort food!
A Dish Rooted in Tradition
Beef tips with mushrooms is a dish that feels like a hug in every bite. Its origins are tied to the timeless tradition of braising tough cuts of meat until tender, a method used in kitchens around the world. Adding mushrooms to the mix not only enhances the flavor but brings a satisfying, earthy richness to the dish.
This recipe takes inspiration from that tradition while giving you modern cooking options, whether you love the all-day aroma of a slow cooker or the quick convenience of an Instant Pot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tender and Flavorful: Slow cooking or pressure cooking transforms beef stew meat into tender bites soaked in a rich, savory sauce.
- Minimal Effort: With just a little prep, the slow cooker or Instant Pot takes care of the rest.
- Versatile: Serve it over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- Customizable: Adjust the sauce thickness, skip the wine for a non-alcoholic version, or add extra vegetables for a heartier dish.
Step-by-Step Guide to Beef Tips with Mushrooms
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck or round), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional, can substitute with additional beef broth)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (button or cremini)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Slow Cooker Instructions
Sear the Beef (Optional)
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper.
- Sear the beef pieces on all sides until browned. This step locks in flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
Prepare the Slow Cooker
- Transfer the beef to the slow cooker. Add diced onions, minced garlic, and sliced mushrooms on top.
Mix the Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, red wine (if using), soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker.
Cook the Beef Tips
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender and flavors are well combined.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
- If a thicker sauce is desired, mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker 30 minutes before cooking time ends. Cover and let it thicken.
Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the beef tips and serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles.
Instant Pot Instructions
Sear the Beef
- Set the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting. Heat olive oil in the pot and season the beef with salt and pepper.
- Sear the beef pieces on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and cook for another 2 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce
- Add beef broth, red wine (if using), soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the pot.
Pressure Cook
- Return the seared beef to the pot. Close the lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Allow for a natural release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
- To thicken the sauce, set the Instant Pot to “Sauté.” Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry and stir it into the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the beef tips and serve over your favorite base.
Tips for Success
- Choose the Right Cut of Beef: Stew meat like chuck or round is perfect for slow cooking, as it becomes tender with time.
- Skip the Wine: If you prefer not to use alcohol, simply replace the red wine with extra beef broth.
- Add Veggies: For extra flavor and nutrition, toss in carrots or potatoes with the beef.
- Double the Recipe: This dish reheats beautifully, so consider making extra for leftovers.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Any Occasion
Beef Tips with Mushrooms is the ultimate comfort food, offering rich, savory flavors that are perfect for everything from cozy family dinners to special occasions. With its melt-in-your-mouth beef and hearty mushroom sauce, it pairs beautifully with starchy sides like mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or rice.
It’s also incredibly versatile. Whether you’re prepping ahead with a slow cooker or relying on the Instant Pot for speed, this dish adapts to your schedule while delivering the same delicious results every time.
Beef Tips with Mushrooms (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine optional
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 2 tbsp cornstarch optional
- 2 tbsp water optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- For Slow Cooker
- Sear beef, then transfer to the slow cooker. Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms.
- Mix beef broth, red wine, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Pour over beef.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add cornstarch slurry to thicken, if desired.
- For Instant Pot
- Sear beef using the “Sauté” setting. Remove and sauté onions, garlic, and mushrooms.
- Add liquids and return beef to the pot. Pressure cook on high for 25 minutes.
- Thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry if needed.
- Serve
- Garnish with parsley and serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.