This slow cooker 5-ingredient garlic butter beef tips recipe is one of those old-fashioned, no-fuss dinners that tastes like it cooked all day at Grandma and Grandpa’s house—because it did. Grandpa swore by this low and slow method, letting simple ingredients do the work so the beef turns unbelievably tender and creates its own glossy, melt-in-your-mouth sauce. It’s perfect for busy days when you want a comforting, homey meal waiting for you at dinnertime with almost no effort.
These garlic butter beef tips are wonderful spooned over fluffy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed rice so all that glossy brown sauce has something to soak into. Add a simple green side like steamed green beans, a tossed salad, or roasted carrots to round out the plate. Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are great for mopping up extra sauce, and if you’re feeding kids, I’ve found they love this served in a bowl over buttered noodles with a sprinkle of cheese on top.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Garlic Butter Beef TipsServings: 6
Ingredients
2 1/2 pounds beef stew meat or beef sirloin tips, cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
6 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 tablespoons jarred minced garlic)
Directions
Pat the beef tips dry with paper towels so they brown and sauce up nicely instead of steaming in extra moisture.
Season the beef tips evenly with the kosher salt and black pepper, tossing with your hands or a spoon to coat all sides.
Place the seasoned beef tips into the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, spreading them into an even layer so they cook evenly.
Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the top of the beef, tucking a bit down between pieces so the garlic flavor gets all through the meat as it cooks.
Scatter the butter pieces over the beef and garlic. As the slow cooker heats, the butter will melt, mix with the beef juices, and form a glossy garlic butter sauce.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beef is very tender and easily breaks apart with a fork. Avoid lifting the lid too often so the heat stays in and the low and slow method can work its magic.
Once the beef is tender, gently stir the meat and sauce together, scraping up any browned bits from the edges of the slow cooker so they melt back into the sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with a pinch more salt or pepper if needed. Serve the beef tips hot, spooning the glossy garlic butter sauce over the top and over your choice of potatoes, rice, or noodles.
Variations & Tips
If your crew likes a little extra richness, you can add a splash of beef broth or a spoonful of Worcestershire sauce at the table, but I like keeping the recipe itself to Grandpa’s simple 5 ingredients. For kids who are sensitive to garlic, cut the garlic in half and offer garlic bread on the side so the grown-ups still get their fix. If you prefer less butter, you can use 6 tablespoons instead of 8 and the sauce will still be silky, just a bit lighter. For a thicker sauce, once the beef is done, scoop out about 1/4 cup of the hot cooking liquid, whisk it with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a small bowl, then stir that back into the slow cooker and let it cook on HIGH for 10 to 15 minutes until glossy and slightly thicker. You can also finish the dish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for color if you have it on hand. Leftovers reheat beautifully—store them in the fridge and warm gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. For picky eaters, serve the beef tips in a separate little puddle of sauce on the side of their plate so they can control how much of the glossy garlic butter they mix into their potatoes or noodles.
