Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles

A Comfort-Food Classic Made Easy

There are some meals that instantly feel like home, no matter where or when you eat them. Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles is one of those dishes. It’s rich, hearty, and deeply comforting—tender pieces of beef simmered slowly in a savory gravy, then served over soft noodles that soak up every bit of flavor. This is the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with warmth, makes everyone ask, “Is dinner ready yet?”, and guarantees clean plates at the table.

What makes this recipe especially wonderful is how simple it is. With the help of a slow cooker, you can transform a relatively inexpensive cut of beef into a melt-in-your-mouth dinner with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy weekdays, lazy weekends, or anytime you want a no-stress meal that still feels special.

In this post, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles—from choosing the right cut of meat, to building layers of flavor, to serving and storing leftovers. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a longtime crockpot fan, this recipe deserves a spot in your regular rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are plenty of reasons Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles is a favorite in so many households:

• Hands-off cooking – The slow cooker does most of the work.

• Budget-friendly – Uses affordable cuts of beef that become tender over time.

• Comfort food at its best – Rich gravy, tender meat, and soft noodles.

• Family-approved – Mild, savory flavors that appeal to all ages.

• Great for leftovers – Tastes even better the next day.

This dish is also incredibly adaptable. You can dress it up with mushrooms and herbs, keep it simple with pantry staples, or adjust it to fit your family’s preferences.

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What Are Beef Tips?

“Beef tips” is a broad term that usually refers to bite-sized pieces of beef, often taken from more affordable cuts like sirloin, chuck, or round. While sirloin tips are sometimes used, chuck roast is often the best option for slow cooking.

Why? Because chuck has more connective tissue and marbling. That might sound like a bad thing at first, but in a slow cooker, that connective tissue breaks down beautifully, resulting in tender, juicy beef that practically falls apart.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles is that it relies on simple, easy-to-find ingredients.

For the Beef Tips and Gravy

• 2 to 2½ pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for browning)

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 packet onion soup mix

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional but recommended)

For Thickening the Gravy

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• 3 tablespoons cold water

For Serving

• 12 ounces egg noodles

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

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Choosing the Right Noodles

Egg noodles are the classic choice for this dish, and for good reason. They’re soft, slightly chewy, and perfect for soaking up gravy. Wide egg noodles work especially well, but medium or extra-wide noodles are also great options.

If you want to switch things up, you can serve the beef tips over:

• Mashed potatoes

• Rice

• Buttered pasta

• Even toasted bread or biscuits

But for traditional comfort food vibes, egg noodles are hard to beat.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Beef

Start by cutting your chuck roast into evenly sized cubes. Try to keep them around 1½ inches so they cook evenly. Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.

This step is simple, but important—seasoning early helps build flavor from the very beginning.

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Step 2: (Optional) Brown the Beef

While you can skip this step if you’re short on time, browning the beef adds a deeper, richer flavor.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Brown on all sides, then transfer the beef to your crockpot.

Don’t worry about cooking the beef all the way through—this step is just about developing flavor.

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Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

In the same skillet (if you browned the beef), add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker, right on top of the beef.

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Step 4: Add the Liquids and Seasonings

Pour in the beef broth, then add:

• Onion soup mix

• Worcestershire sauce

• Dried thyme and parsley

• Mushrooms (if using)

Give everything a gentle stir to combine.

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Step 5: Slow Cook

Cover the crockpot and cook:

• Low: 7–8 hours

• High: 4–5 hours

Low and slow is ideal if you have the time—it gives the beef more opportunity to become tender and flavorful.

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Step 6: Thicken the Gravy

About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir it into the crockpot.

Cover and let cook for another 20–30 minutes, until the gravy thickens to your liking.

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Step 7: Cook the Noodles

While the gravy is thickening, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

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Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the beef tips and gravy over a bed of warm egg noodles. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy a comforting, home-cooked meal.

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Tips for the Best Crockpot Beef Tips

• Don’t rush it. Slow cooking is what makes the beef tender.

• Cut evenly. Uniform pieces cook more consistently.

• Season thoughtfully. Taste the gravy before serving and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

• Thicken gradually. You can always add more slurry, but you can’t remove it once it’s too thick.

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Variations and Add-Ins

One of the joys of this recipe is how adaptable it is. Here are a few ideas:

Creamy Beef Tips

Stir in ½ cup sour cream or heavy cream at the very end for a creamy, stroganoff-style sauce.

Herb-Forward Version

Add fresh rosemary or bay leaves while cooking (just remember to remove them before serving).

Vegetable-Packed

Add carrots or peas during the last hour of cooking for extra color and nutrition.

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What to Serve on the Side

This dish is hearty on its own, but simple sides pair beautifully:

• Steamed green beans

• Roasted broccoli

• A crisp garden salad

• Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread

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Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Storage

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.

Reheating

• Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

• Add a splash of beef broth if the gravy has thickened too much.

Freezing

The beef tips and gravy freeze well (without noodles). Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving over freshly cooked noodles.

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Why This Recipe Works So Well

Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles succeeds because it respects the ingredients and the cooking method. Tougher cuts of beef are given the time they need to break down. Simple seasonings enhance, rather than overpower, the natural beefy flavor. And the slow cooker brings everything together in a way that feels effortless but tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen.

This is the kind of recipe that gets passed down, scribbled on index cards, and requested again and again.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a reliable, comforting, and deeply satisfying meal, Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles is it. It’s cozy without being complicated, hearty without being heavy, and familiar in the best possible way.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, meal-prepping for the week, or just craving a bowl of something warm and savory, this recipe delivers every time.