This is one of those meals I come back to whenever I want something steady and comforting on the table. Beef tips and rice has a way of slowing things down. The smell of beef simmering, onions softening, and gravy thickening makes the kitchen feel calm, even on busy days. I’ve made this many times, usually on evenings when I know everyone wants something warm and filling without surprises.
What really pulls this dish together is how the gravy settles into the rice. Every spoonful ends up coated in rich flavor, and that’s the part everyone remembers.
Why This Recipe Stays on Repeat in My Kitchen
This is simple food done well. Nothing fancy, no shortcuts that sacrifice flavor. The beef cooks gently until tender, the vegetables soften just enough, and the gravy develops depth without feeling heavy.
It works just as well for a quiet family dinner as it does for leftovers the next day. I’ve packed this up for lunches more times than I can count, and it never disappoints.
Ingredient Notes From Real-Life Cooking
Ingredients
-
1½ pounds top sirloin, cut into cubes
-
2 tablespoons oil
-
2 tablespoons butter
-
1 green bell pepper, sliced
-
1 large onion, sliced
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
2 cups beef broth
-
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
-
2 tablespoons flour
-
1 tablespoon cornstarch
-
2 tablespoons cold water
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
½ teaspoon black pepper
-
1 teaspoon dried parsley
-
½ teaspoon garlic powder
-
½ teaspoon onion powder
-
Cooked jasmine or basmati rice for serving
Sirloin gives you tender beef without a long cook time. If you use stew meat, plan for extra simmering time. Green bell peppers work best here since they balance the sweetness of the onions.
How I Make Beef Tips on the Stovetop
I start by heating oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven. Half the beef goes in first, seasoned simply with salt and pepper. I let it brown on all sides before transferring it to a plate, then repeat with the rest.
Once the beef is set aside, butter goes into the pot followed by onions and bell peppers. I let them cook until softened and lightly golden. Garlic and dried seasonings go in next and cook just until fragrant.
I sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir it well so everything gets coated. Slowly, the beef broth goes in while stirring to keep things smooth. Worcestershire sauce follows, then the beef and any juices return to the pot.
The pot gets covered and simmers gently until the beef turns tender. Near the end, I stir together cornstarch and cold water, then pour it in slowly. Within a minute, the gravy thickens nicely.
What Beef Tips Really Are
Beef tips usually mean cubed beef, often from sirloin or tenderloin. Knowing the cut matters since it affects how long the beef needs to cook. Tender cuts soften faster, tougher ones need patience.
Best Cuts for Beef Tips and Rice
Top sirloin and tenderloin give the best texture for this dish. Chuck or rump roast can work, but they need longer cooking time to break down properly.
How I Get Beef Tips Tender Every Time
I cut against the grain, season generously, and give the beef time to cook gently. Worcestershire sauce helps both flavor and tenderness, and rushing this step never pays off. Slow simmering does the work.
Beef Tips vs Stew Meat
They’re usually from different cuts. Stew meat often comes from tougher parts that need longer cooking. Beef tips are typically more tender from the start.
What We Serve With Beef Tips and Rice
Rice is my go-to, but mashed potatoes work beautifully too. I usually add a simple vegetable on the side, like green beans or a crisp salad. Cornbread is always welcome at the table when this is for dinner.
Storage Tips
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to four days. I reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to loosen the gravy.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. It tastes even better the next day once the flavors settle.
Does this freeze well?
The beef and gravy freeze nicely. I prefer making fresh rice when serving.
Can I skip the bell peppers?
Yes. The flavor still works without them.
What rice works best?
Jasmine and basmati both hold up well and soak up gravy nicely.
Beef Tips and Rice Recipe
Tender beef tips simmered low and slow in a rich brown gravy with peppers and onions make this a comforting, stick-to-your-ribs meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef tips, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced and halved
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tablespoons dried onion flakes
- 1½ teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ⅓ cup cold water
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- Water, as needed for cooking rice
- Fresh parsley, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large, heavy pot with a lid over medium-high heat and add half of the olive oil. Once hot, add half of the beef tips, season with half of the salt and pepper, and cook until browned on all sides. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and repeat with the remaining oil, beef, and seasoning, then set all the beef aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the pot. Once melted, add the sliced bell pepper and onion, stirring to coat them in the butter. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften. Stir in the garlic, dried parsley, onion flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, cooking briefly until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour into the pot and stir well to form a smooth paste with the vegetables. Cook for a short minute, then slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking to prevent lumps. Once smooth, stir in the Worcestershire sauce.
- Return the beef and any collected juices to the pot, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover, and cook until the beef is very tender.
- About 20 minutes before the beef is done, prepare the rice according to package directions. When the beef is tender, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Slowly stir the mixture into the pot, allowing the gravy to thicken to your preferred consistency as it simmers briefly.
- Serve the beef tips and gravy over the cooked rice and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 491Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 7gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 85mgSodium 1802mgCarbohydrates 45gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 29g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
Beef tips and rice is the kind of meal that doesn’t ask for attention but earns it anyway. It’s warm, familiar, and satisfying in a way that feels honest. This is comfort food that stays with you, long after the plates are cleared.
