How to Season Beef Tips for Maximum Flavor

Beef tips make for a delicious and comforting meal but proper seasoning is key to bringing out their best flavor. Whether you are cooking up a batch of tender beef tips in gravy or searing garlic butter steak tips having the right blend of seasonings can take your beef to the next level. In this article, I’ll walk you through the best practices for seasoning beef tips so you can achieve maximum flavor every time.

Selecting Your Beef

The first step to perfectly seasoned beef tips is choosing high-quality meat Opt for sirloin tips or tenderloin tips if you can find them, as these cuts will be the most tender. Otherwise, look for stew meat or cube steak cut into 1-inch pieces. Try to find beef that is well-marbled with fat for extra moistness and flavor.

Seasoning the Raw Beef

Seasoning your raw beef tips before cooking allows the seasonings to permeate the meat, enhancing flavor from the inside out Here are some tips for seasoning raw beef tips

• Use kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – Kosher salt has a cleaner flavor than regular table salt, and freshly cracked pepper provides a pronounced peppery bite. Be generous with both.

• Pat the meat dry – Make sure the surface of the meat is dry before seasoning so the seasonings will stick.

• Season just before cooking – Salt the meat right before it hits the pan so the salt doesn’t draw out moisture while sitting.

• Try a beef rub – For bolder flavor, use a premixed beef rub containing spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Apply the rub liberally on all sides.

• Use fresh herbs – Finely chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, or sage make an excellent seasoning for beef. The fresh herbs will add brightness.

• Season individual pieces – Rather than seasoning a big batch all together, individually season each piece so seasoning gets evenly distributed.

• Add pepper after cooking – Pepper can burn easily if added before cooking. Add freshly cracked pepper after cooking instead.

Choosing Finishing Seasonings

Adding seasoning after cooking beef tips, whether braised in gravy or seared in a pan, can balance and unify flavors. Consider adding:

• Worcestershire sauce – The tamarind and molasses notes in Worcestershire sauce complement beef beautifully. Add a few splashes when cooking beef tips in gravy.

• Soy sauce – For enhanced umami flavor, stir in a bit of soy sauce at the end of cooking. Go for low-sodium soy if watching your salt intake.

• Beef broth or stock – For extra meaty flavor, deglaze the pan with some beef broth after browning beef tips or use it as the braising liquid.

• Tomato paste – Adding a spoonful of tomato paste to the cooking liquid provides sweetness and acidity to balance the rich beef.

• Red wine – Deglazing with red wine adds complexity and acidity. Splash in a dry red wine like Pinot Noir at the end of cooking.

• Mustard – Mixing in some Dijon or whole grain mustard at the end brightens up the flavor.

• Minced garlic – Quickly cooking minced garlic in the pan after searing beef tips provides a pop of fresh garlic flavor when mixed into pan sauces or gravy.

• Fresh herbs – Bright parsley, thyme, rosemary, or oregano stirred in at the end makes the flavor more vibrant.

Complementary Side Dishes

What you serve alongside your seasoned beef tips also impacts the overall flavor experience. Some sides that pair particularly well include:

• Egg noodles or mashed potatoes to soak up the flavorful gravy

• Rice pilaf or creamy polenta to complement the heartiness

• Sauteed mushrooms or caramelized onions to match the umami richness

• Steamed broccoli or asparagus for color and texture contrast

• A crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to brighten up the plate

With high-quality beef and the right blend of seasonings applied at the optimal times during cooking, you can create irresistibly flavorful beef tips. Experiment with different seasoning combinations to discover your perfect balance of flavors. Proper seasoning technique helps make beef tips an easy, budget-friendly meal that still feels special.

Seasoning Beef Tips Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps for foolproof seasoned beef tips every time:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef tips or stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1⁄4 cup low-sodium beef broth

Directions:

1. Pat beef tips dry and season generously all over with kosher salt and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Working in batches if needed, add beef tips and cook until well browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.

4. Transfer browned beef tips to a plate and set aside.

5. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic to skillet, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

6. Add thyme and beef broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

7. Return beef tips to the skillet along with any accumulated juices on the plate.

8. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 45-60 minutes until beef is very tender.

9. Once tender, taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed.

With this easy process, your beef tips will have the perfect amount of seasoning in every bite. Adjust cooking time as needed for very tender and flavorful beef tips.