Beef tips also known as beef cubes or stew meat are a tasty and comforting one-pot meal when cooked just right. But to achieve fall-apart, melt-in-your-mouth texture, proper cooking time is essential. So how long should you bake beef tips in the oven?
The oven cooking time for beef tips can range quite a bit based on the cut of beef, size of pieces, oven temperature, cooking method, and desired doneness. Follow these tips to determine the perfect oven bake time for tender beef tips every time.
Factors That Impact Oven Cook Time
Several key factors impact how long beef tips need to cook in the oven:
Type of Beef
Beef tips are usually made from chuck roast, round steak, or sirloin tips. Chuck roast contains more connective tissue so requires longer cooking than tender cuts like sirloin.
Size of Beef Pieces
Small 1-inch beef cubes cook faster than large 2-inch chunks Reduce oven time for bite-size pieces.
Oven Temperature
Higher oven heat shortens cooking time. A 400°F oven bakes faster than a 325°F oven.
Cooking Method
Braising in sauce or gravy cuts cook time versus dry roasting. Liquid helps tenderize meat.
Doneness Level
Rare beef tips take less oven time than well-done. Cook just until desired internal temp is reached.
Meat Temperature
An instant-read thermometer, not just time, accurately indicates doneness.
Pan Type
Dark metal pans speed up cooking compared to glass or ceramic.
Liquid in Pan
More braising liquid like broth or sauce means faster cooking.
Oven Cook Time Guidelines
Follow these general time guidelines based on key factors:
- 1-inch beef tip cubes from round or sirloin
- Oven temperature of 325°F
- Dry roasting with no added liquid
Rare: 20-25 minutes
Medium Rare: 25-35 minutes
Medium: 35-45 minutes
Medium Well: 45-55 minutes
Well Done: 60-70 minutes
For larger 2-inch beef chuck cubes, add 10-15 minutes to those oven bake times.
If braising in gravy, sauce or broth, reduce cook time by 5-10 minutes.
Always use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness instead of just estimating by time. Insert into thickest part of beef and verify:
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
- Medium Well: 150-155°F
- Well Done: 160+°F
Tested Oven Baked Beef Tips Recipe
This easy beef tips and gravy recipe results in tender, juicy meat after just 45-60 minutes of baking time.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef tips (1-inch chunks)
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1⁄2 cup water or ginger ale
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease 9×13 baking dish.
- Mix soup mix, mushroom soup, water/ginger ale in bowl.
- Place beef tips in dish, drizzle with oil and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle seasoned salt and pepper over beef.
- Pour soup mixture over beef. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake 45-60 minutes until fork tender.
- Remove foil, bake 5 minutes more to thicken sauce.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
The braising liquid helps tenderize while the foil locks in steam for quick, even cooking.
Tips for Oven-Baked Beef Tips
- Generously season beef before cooking for enhanced flavor.
- Brown beef tips first for better color and caramelized exterior.
- Use lower oven temp (325°F) for tender, fall-apart meat.
- Liquid speeds up oven cook time; keep foil on until last 10 minutes.
- Check doneness with meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Best Side Dishes for Beef Tips
Serve oven-baked beef tips and gravy with:
- Fluffy mashed potatoes
- Buttery egg noodles
- Rice pilaf
- Roasted vegetables
- Warm buttermilk biscuits
- Green salad
More Oven-Cooked Beef Tip Recipes
Once you’ve nailed down the ideal oven cook time for tender beef tips, get creative with seasonings and sauce flavors:
- Beef Tip Joes – Southwest style with peppers, onion and salsa
- Italian Beef Tips – Tomato sauce, garlic and herbs
- Beef Tip Stroganoff – Mushrooms and creamy sour cream sauce
- Beef Tip Pot Roast – Slow braised with carrots and potatoes
- Beef Tips and Rice – Bell peppers in tomato-based sauce over rice
With the proper baking time, your beef tips are sure to turn out juicy, tender and delicious every time. Master this simple oven method, then experiment with flavors for the perfect one-pot meal.
The Best Cut of Meat for this Beef Tips Recipe
This recipe calls for cubed beef stew meat, but you can use a variety of meat to make beef tips and gravy. I like the shortcut of store-bought cubed beef that’s usually labeled as “stew meat,” but you can also purchase beef and cube it on your own at home.
If you prefer to cut your meat at home rather than purchasing cubed stew meat, try using chuck roast, round steak, or brisket in this recipe. Since the recipe calls for a low, slow cooking time, you can get away with these tougher (more affordable) cuts that become tender after many hours in the Crock Pot. When grilling beef tips quickly over high heat, you need a more tender (and expensive) cut, such as tenderloin or sirloin tips
What to Know Before You Get Started
- Brown the meat. This is an extra step, but it’s worth the effort. The caramelized surface gives the beef extra flavor and locks in juices. The browned bits also add more flavor to the gravy.
- When the beef is done braising, it should be fall-apart tender. It’s important to cook the beef long enough to break down the tough connective tissue and fibers, so the end result is succulent, tender, and juicy beef tips. You can use the Crock Pot or the oven for this low-and-slow cooking method. If your meat is still tough at the end of cooking, continue cooking for a little bit longer.
- Use a dry red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Burgundy, or Cotes du Rhone. Nothing too sweet!
Beef Tips in the Oven
FAQ
What temperature should I cook beef tips in the oven?
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 6 to 24 hours. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).Nov 19, 2024
How long to cook meat in the oven at 350 degrees?
- 6 to 8 oz. 350°F (177°C) 30 to 40 minutes. Chicken, breast halves, boneless.
- 4 oz. 350°F (177°C) 20 to 30 minutes. Capon, whole. 4 to 8 lbs. 350°F (177°C) 2 to 3 hours. Cornish hen, whole. 18 to 24 oz. 350°F (177°C) 50 to 60 minutes. Duck, whole (do not stuff) 4 to 6 lbs. 350°F (177°C) 30 to 35 min/lb.
How long does it take for beef tips to get tender?
You should cook the beef in the sauce until it’s tender, about 90 minutes to two hours. When the beef tips are done, an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat will read at least 145 degrees F.
How long to cook steak in the oven at 350 degrees?
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Reddit · r/Cookinghttps://www.reddit.comCooking Steak in the Oven at 350 -> Tips/Recommendations?Jan 4, 2022
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Quorahttps://www.quora.comHow do you bake a well done steak in the oven? – QuoraSep 28, 2017 — * You should start by seasoning the steak and searing it in a pan on the stovetop. You just won’t get the same kind of delicious crust on the meat …
