Beef tips are a versatile and delicious cut of beef that can be used in many dishes. But what exactly are beef tips and where do they come from? This complete guide will explain everything you need to know about beef tips.
What Part of the Cow Do Beef Tips Come From?
Beef tips are small, bite-sized pieces of beef that are cut from larger, tender cuts of meat Most commonly, beef tips come from the tenderloin or sirloin section of the cow
The tenderloin runs along the backbone and is one of the most tender cuts of beef. When cutting tenderloin into filet mignon steaks, the small ends and narrow portions are often trimmed off. These flavorful trimmings are perfect for cutting into beef tips.
Sirloin tips are trimmed from the bottom sirloin, which is located near the hip and rear leg of the cow. Sirloin tips have a bit more marbling than tenderloin tips, adding even more flavor and moisture
Are Beef Tips the Same as Stew Meat?
While they are similar, beef tips and stew meat are not identical. The main difference is that stew meat can come from various cuts of beef. Stew meat pieces also tend to be larger and less uniform in size and shape than beef tips.
Beef tips are always cut from tenderloin or sirloin, ensuring they are flavorful and tender. Their uniform size allows them to cook evenly. So while you can use beef tips as substitutes for stew meat, you can’t always swap in stew meat when a recipe calls for beef tips.
How Are Beef Tips Used?
The small size and natural tenderness of beef tips make them perfect for dishes like:
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Stews – Beef tips add tender bites of meat and soak up delicious flavors.
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Stir fries – Quick cooking beef tips pair nicely with crisp veggies.
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Kabobs – Alternate beef tips with veggies and fruit on skewers.
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Stroganoff – Cooked beef tips in a rich, creamy sauce over noodles.
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Fajitas or tacos – Grilled beef tips sliced into strips.
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Curries – Simmered beef tips in a fragrant curry sauce.
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Kebabs – Skewer beef tips for grilling.
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Enchiladas – Roll beef tips and other fillings into tortillas.
Their versatility allows them to be used in endless global cuisines. Beef tips can be marinated, grilled, sautéed, or braised, adapting well to a wide range of cooking methods and seasonings.
Do Beef Tips Need to Be Marinated?
Marinating beef tips is optional, but can add big flavor. An acidic marinade with ingredients like vinegar, wine, yogurt, or citrus juice helps tenderize beef tips.
Adding seasonings like garlic, herbs, soy sauce, chili paste, or spices to a marinade infuses the beef tips with extra flavor. Allow meat to marinate 30 minutes up to overnight depending on the recipe.
How to Cook Beef Tips
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Grill – Coat beef tips with oil and seasonings. Grill over high heat for 1-2 minutes per side.
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Sauté – Cook beef tips in batches in hot oil just until browned.
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Braise – Brown beef tips then simmer in flavorful liquid for 1-2 hours until fork tender.
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Stew – Add beef tips to veggies, stock and seasonings. Simmer until beef is very tender.
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Stir fry – Cook beef tips in a hot skillet with crisp veggies until browned.
Properly cooked beef tips are fork-tender and juicy. Avoid overcooking or tips may become tough.
Can You Freeze Beef Tips?
Frozen beef tips can keep for 3-4 months when properly stored. Place trimmed beef tips in a freezer bag or airtight container. Remove as much air as possible and seal. Label package with contents and freeze date.
Thaw beef tips overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. Cook thawed beef tips within 1-2 days for best quality.
Beef tips are flavorful, tender cuts from the tenderloin or sirloin perfect for stews, kabobs, stir fries and more. Their small size allows them to cook quickly while absorbing robust flavors. Cook beef tips to fork-tender perfection by grilling, braising, sautéing or stewing. Marinate beef tips for added flavor or use immediately in any recipe calling for this versatile cut of meat. With proper storage, beef tips can be frozen for later use.
You Love These Beef Tips Because…
- This recipe makes the beef extra tender and with a rich, flavorful brown gravy.
- Slow roasting adds so much flavor.
- This recipe is easy to prepare – little effort, big flavor!
- Beef tips are relatively inexpensive compared to other cuts of beef.
- Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta noodles.
How to Cook Beef Tips
These are so easy to cook, and cleanup is a breeze with only one pot!
- Season and sear the beef in a Dutch oven (recipe below). Add the onions and soften.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer until beef is tender.
- Thicken gravy with cornstarch, add salt and pepper to taste.
How to Make Beef Tips | Beef Recipes | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
What cut of beef is beef tips?
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Boston Magazinehttps://www.bostonmagazine.comThe Origins of Steak Tips, a Uniquely New England Dish – Boston MagazineMay 17, 2023 — First, there’s the cut of meat to consider. For some, that part of the equation is simple: “The only New England steak tip is sirloin flap meat,” sa…
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Just Cookhttps://justcook.butcherbox.comSteak Tips? East Coast and West Coast Differ on Sirloin Tips and Tri …May 30, 2018 — Sirloin tips are usually marinated in something sweet and tangy, and they are often prepped well in advance of cooking so that the meat sops up the …
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Main Course Markethttps://maincourse-ma.comEVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STEAK TIPSThat being said, we should mention that while a steak tip is typically cut from sirloin, it may also be cut from flank steak, tenderloin tips, and parts of the …
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Facebookhttps://www.facebook.comSteak tips can be packaged as whole steaks, cubes, or strips. They are cut from sirloin flap meat, the area on the bottom sirloin of the cow near the… | By America’s Test Kitchen | Do you cook with steak tips? If so, you may be from the Northeast. Based on where you live in the country, this really beefy cut can be sold as steak tips. It can be sold as flat meat or tip steak. It can also be called the vet steak. Now, this cut is delicious when grilled or seared or you can slice it thin and make a stir fry. They also tend to be a lot cheaper than something really high end like a rib eye or a strip steak. Steak tips have this distinct large coarse grain that is easy to pick out from other cuts of beef. Now, like other loose grain steaks like a skirt or flank, it is better to cook steak tips to a hundred degrees. So, you’re aiming for something that’s medium instead of medium rare. Actually, lower temps can make it chewy. Also, be sure to slice steak tips against the grain.Oct 9, 2024 — Steak tips can be packaged as whole steaks, cubes, or strips. They are cut from sirloin flap meat, the area on the bottom sirloin of the cow near the…
What is another name for beef tips?
Steak tips are typically made from bavette steak (or flap steak). “Flap” refers to the name of the whole loin, and bavette steak is the center cut from the middle of the sirloin flap. As a result, they can also be called sirloin tips. Sometimes, the meat can come from the tenderloin or flank.
What animal is beef tips?
Steak tips are cut from sirloin flap meat, the area on the bottom sirloin of the cow near the flank. A whole piece of flap meat weighs about 2½ pounds, ranges in thickness from ½ inch to 1½ inches, and is less expensive than top-tier steaks such as strip or rib-eye.