If you’re on the hunt for something that feels like the ultimate comfort food, let me introduce you to my absolute favorite: the Hearty Beef Tips with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe. Picture tender, juicy beef simmered in a rich savory sauce, perfectly paired with creamy, buttery garlic mashed potatoes that soak up every delicious drop. It’s a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will wrap you up in a big culinary hug, making it the kind of meal you’ll want to come back to again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Hearty Beef Tips with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient has a clear role, whether it’s building the deep, savory flavor of the beef tips or creating the smooth, comforting base of the mashed potatoes. These humble staples come together effortlessly but pack a satisfying punch.
- 1.5 pounds beef stew meat (or chuck roast cut into bite-sized pieces): The star of the dish, beef that becomes meltingly tender when slow-cooked.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Helps sear the beef for a flavorful crust without sticking.
- 2 tablespoons butter: Adds richness and a luscious texture when cooking the onions.
- 1 small yellow onion, diced: Provides a sweet and savory depth to the sauce.
- 6 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the dish and mashed potatoes with aromatic warmth.
- 2-2.5 cups beef broth: The hearty base for the sauce that keeps the beef juicy and tender.
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce: Adds tangy, umami flavor that enhances the beefiness.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Brings a subtle saltiness and complexity.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A perfect herb blend to elevate the whole dish.
- 3 tablespoons corn starch: Thickens the sauce to a silky consistency.
- Kosher salt & fresh cracked pepper: Essential for seasoning at every step to balance the flavors.
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish: Adds a fresh, bright note and beautiful color.
- Mashed potatoes for serving: Creamy and garlicky, they are the perfect base to soak up the luscious beef gravy.
How to Make Hearty Beef Tips with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Beef
The very first thing to do is pat your beef pieces dry and season them generously with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper on all sides. This seasoning step is crucial to bringing out the natural flavors. Next, heat your olive oil in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the beef in batches, searing each side for 2 to 3 minutes. This creates a gorgeous brown crust that locks in flavor and moisture — even though the meat won’t be fully cooked at this stage. Once seared, set the beef aside and get ready for the next step.
Step 2: Sauté Onions and Garlic
Lower the heat to medium and melt butter in the same pan to keep all those lovely browned bits from the beef. Add the diced onions along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper — this helps the onions sweat and release sweetness as they soften. Cook the onions for about four minutes, stirring once in a while. Then toss in the minced garlic and let it cook for one more minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning. This fragrant base is the foundation of your rich sauce.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Now it’s time to bring everything together. Pour in 2 cups of beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Return the seared beef along with its juices to the pan. Give everything a gentle stir, cover, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes. The beef will become wonderfully tender, soaking up all those savory flavors as the liquid reduces beautifully.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
Once your beef is tender and the sauce is bubbling, it’s time to thicken. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of corn starch in the same amount of water — this slurry will transform your sauce. Stir the mixture into the skillet and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Watch as the sauce thickens to a silky, luscious consistency that clings perfectly to each piece of beef. If it becomes too thick, just add a splash more broth to loosen it up to your liking.
Step 5: Serve Over Garlic Mashed Potatoes
The final step is the best part — serving. Pile the tender beef tips and gravy generously over a bed of creamy garlic mashed potatoes. Don’t forget to sprinkle fresh parsley on top to add a pop of color and a hint of freshness. Dig in and enjoy the perfect balance of hearty, garlicky, tender, and rich flavors that make this recipe an unforgettable meal.
How to Serve Hearty Beef Tips with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley is the classic and most straightforward garnish, adding a burst of color and a clean, herbaceous contrast to the rich sauce. For a little extra indulgence, a small dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded sharp cheddar can also complement this dish beautifully without overpowering the main flavors.
Side Dishes
This dish is wonderfully filling on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, consider serving simple steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts for a touch of green and crunch. A crisp garden salad with a bright vinaigrette can also cut through the richness and provide a refreshing balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy family dinner, serve the beef tips piled high on generous scoops of garlic mashed potatoes in deep bowls, ensuring the sauce pools invitingly around the edges. If you want to impress guests, plate individual portions with a neatly spooned dollop of beef tips next to a smooth quenelle of mashed potatoes, finished off with a sprinkle of parsley and a drizzle of sauce artistically swirled on the plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Hearty Beef Tips with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe actually tastes fantastic the next day as the flavors marry even more. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the mashed potatoes and beef tips separate if you want to maintain the best texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the beef tips for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Mashed potatoes freeze well too but may need a little extra butter or cream stirred in when reheating to refresh their creamy texture.
Reheating
Reheat your beef tips gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth to loosen the sauce if needed. Mashed potatoes reheat beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop — stir often and add a little bit of butter, milk, or cream for extra creaminess.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for the beef tips?
Absolutely! While beef stew meat or chuck roast are ideal for their tenderness and flavor when slow-cooked, you can also use sirloin tips or brisket cut into pieces. Just adjust cooking times as needed to ensure tenderness.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the soy sauce with gluten-free tamari, and confirm that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free. Also, use cornstarch as the thickener which is naturally gluten-free, making this recipe friendly for gluten-sensitive diners.
Can I make the garlic mashed potatoes from scratch?
Definitely, and I highly recommend it for the freshest flavor! Boil peeled potatoes until tender, then mash with roasted or sautéed garlic, butter, cream or milk, salt, and pepper to taste. It’s simple and takes the dish to the next level.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Steamed or roasted green vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli complement the richness of the beef tips nicely. A fresh side salad with a tangy vinaigrette also balances the meal well.
Can I use a slow cooker instead of stovetop?
You sure can! After searing the beef and sautéing the aromatics, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
Final Thoughts
This Hearty Beef Tips with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe is one of those soul-satisfying meals that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day. It’s approachable, consistently delicious, and has that beautiful balance of flavors and textures that make everyone at the table smile. Give it a try — once you do, it just might become your new go-to comfort food!
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Hearty Beef Tips with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This hearty Beef Tips recipe features tender, slow-simmered beef stew meat in a rich, flavorful gravy made with beef broth, Worcestershire and soy sauces, and Italian seasoning. Perfectly seared beef is simmered with onions and garlic until melt-in-your-mouth tender, then thickened with cornstarch. Served over creamy garlic mashed potatoes and garnished with fresh parsley, this comforting dish is ideal for family dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Beef and Marinade
- 1.5 pounds beef stew meat (or chuck roast cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Cooking Fat & Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 2 to 2.5 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water (to dissolve cornstarch)
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
- Mashed potatoes, for serving
Instructions
- Season the beef: Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Season all sides generously with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to build flavor before searing.
- Sear the beef: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef pieces and sear for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Note that beef won’t be cooked through at this stage. Remove beef and set aside.
- Sauté onions: In the same pan, melt the butter. Add diced onion along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook the onions for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic: Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for another minute, stirring frequently to release the aroma without burning.
- Create the sauce and simmer beef: Pour in 2 cups of beef broth along with Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and Italian seasoning. Return the seared beef and any accumulated juices back to the pan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and let everything simmer gently for 25–30 minutes until the beef becomes tender.
- Thicken the sauce: Dissolve the cornstarch in 3 tablespoons of water to form a slurry. Stir this into the pan and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency. If sauce is too thick, add a little more beef broth to thin it as needed.
- Serve and garnish: Spoon the tender beef tips and rich gravy over garlic mashed potatoes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added freshness. Enjoy immediately while hot.
- Optional feedback: If you loved this recipe, consider leaving a 5-star rating and review to help others discover this comforting dish.
Notes
- Use chuck roast if stew meat is unavailable; cut into bite-sized cubes for best results.
- Simmering time may vary depending on the size and tenderness of your beef pieces.
- You can adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce) according to taste preferences.
- Serve with creamy garlic mashed potatoes for a complete, comforting meal.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure soy sauce is gluten-free and use cornstarch as the thickener.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
