Beef tips are a quick and easy dish that can satisfy any hungry crowd. Their versatility makes them ideal for everything from weeknight meals to elegant dinner parties. However, the key to achieving the perfect texture lies in understanding exactly how long to cook beef tips on the stove. Follow this guide for tips, tricks and timing to help you master the art of cooking succulent, fork-tender beef tips.
What Are Beef Tips?
Beef tips refer to small bite-sized pieces of beef usually cut from larger roasts or steaks. Common cuts used for beef tips include sirloin, tenderloin, top round and bottom round. Their lean nature makes beef tips quick-cooking, while their tender texture absorbs flavors beautifully.
Beef tips are extremely versatile. You can use them in various dishes like stir-fries, stews, tacos, over rice, with gravy, or on their own as an entrée Their convenience and flexibility make them a regular rotational player in many home cooks’ meal plans
Key Benefits of Cooking Beef Tips on the Stove
There are a few reasons why the stovetop is ideal for cooking beef tips
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Quick cooking time – The direct heat of the stove allows the beef tips to cook rapidly while developing a flavorful sear. This makes it a convenient choice for weeknight dinners.
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Better temperature control – Stovetop cooking gives you more precision to fine-tune the temperature as needed. This helps prevent over or undercooking.
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Locks in juices – The initial sear seals the meat’s surface, trapping moisture and flavors inside. This keeps the beef tips succulent.
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Enhanced flavor – Searing adds depth of flavor through the Maillard reaction between amino acids and sugars. This gives an unbeatable, savory taste.
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Easier deglazing – The fond left behind in the pan after searing can be deglazed to make a flavorful sauce or gravy. This puts every last bit of flavor to good use.
How to Tell When Beef Tips Are Done
Determining doneness for beef tips requires paying attention to both internal temperature and visual cues:
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Use a meat thermometer – This takes the guesswork out of judging doneness. Target temps are:
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
- Medium well: 150-155°F
- Well done: 160°F+
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Check internal color – A blush of pink indicates medium rare while brown throughout means well done.
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Test for firmness – Rare beef is soft and spongy; well-done is firmer. Ideal tenderness falls somewhere in between.
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Cut into a piece – This reveals the inner color and texture at a glance. Juices should be reddish pink for medium rare.
Following these cues will help you nail the ideal doneness for tender, juicy results.
How Long to Cook Beef Tips on the Stove
Cooking times for beef tips on the stove can vary based on several factors:
Size of Beef Tips
- Smaller pieces – 1 inch or under – 8 to 12 minutes
- Larger pieces – Up to 2 inches – 12 to 15 minutes
Larger beef tips require more time for the heat to penetrate to the center. Cutting them into uniform sizes promotes even cooking.
Temperature
- High heat – Sear over medium high to develop a crust while keeping the interior moist. Uses less time.
- Lower heat – Finishing the cooking over medium or medium low allows the interior to come up to temp without overcooking the exterior.
Doneness Level
- Rare – Cook for the shortest time, around 8 to 10 minutes.
- Well done – Requires the longest cooking time, 12 to 15 minutes.
The more well-done you prefer your beef tips, the more time they will need on the stove.
Use of Liquid
- Without liquid – Direct heat searing without liquid needs less time, about 8 to 12 minutes.
- With liquid – Adding broth/sauce means the beef continues gently cooking. Allow 10 to 15 minutes.
Liquid acts as a cooking medium, so beef tips with liquid require slightly more time.
Cooking Process for Beef Tips on the Stove
Follow this simple step-by-step process for flawlessly cooked beef tips every time:
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Pick the right cut – Choose tender options like sirloin, tenderloin or flank steak. Trim off any excess fat or sinew.
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Cut beef into uniform pieces – Consistent sizing, about 1 to 2 inches, ensures even cooking.
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Pat beef dry – Blot pieces with paper towels. Excess moisture can hinder browning.
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Season the beef – Salt, pepper and spices like garlic, thyme and paprika enhance flavor.
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Preheat skillet over medium-high heat – Use a heavy pan like cast iron or stainless steel.
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Add oil and heat until shimmering – Use just enough to coat the pan, about 1 to 2 tablespoons.
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Brown beef tips on all sides – Work in batches. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Sear 2 to 3 minutes per side.
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Remove beef tips from skillet – Transfer browned pieces to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
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Deglaze pan with broth/wine – Scrape up browned bits stuck to the skillet.
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Add aromatics like garlic, onions, etc. – Sauté briefly until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
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Return beef tips to the pan – Combine with aromatics and pan juices.
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Cook covered over medium or medium-low heat – Stirring occasionally, until beef reaches desired doneness, 8 to 15 minutes.
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Optionally thicken pan juices – Mix cornstarch and water into a slurry. Stir in and cook until sauce thickens.
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Check for seasoning – Add more salt, pepper or spices to taste before serving.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Results
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Choose a heavy, thick pan to promote steady, even heating. Cast iron or stainless steel work well.
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Pat the beef tips very dry before searing. Excess moisture will cause them to steam rather than brown.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing. Cook in batches if needed so the pieces brown rather than steam.
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Let the beef rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute for a juicier eating experience.
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Add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme or rosemary at the end for a flavor boost.
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Cook a little under your desired doneness since the residual heat will continue to cook the beef tips after removing from heat.
SampleCooking Times for Common Beef Tip Recipes
| Recipe | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Beef tips with gravy | 10 – 15 minutes |
| Beef tips & noodles | 8 – 12 minutes |
| Beef tip kabobs | 10 – 12 minutes |
| Beef tips stir fry | 6 – 8 minutes |
| Beef tip fajitas | 8 – 10 minutes |
| Beef stroganoff | 12 – 15 minutes |
Cooking times can fluctuate based on the specific ingredients and method, but these examples provide general timeframes when making common beef tip dishes on the stovetop.
Let Your Stovetop Unlock the Potential of Beef Tips
Understanding the ideal cooking times empowers you to showcase beef tips at their finest. Whether you favor them rare and juicy or well done and tender, the stovetop gives you control to perfectly cater to your tastes. Light up your kitchen with the sizzle of searing beef and enjoy this versatile ingredient in all its glory. With the proper timing, the humble beef tip transforms into a mealtime masterpiece.
What are beef tips?
I had to ask myself this same question, because I didn’t really know, either.
So technically, beef tips are pieces that come from the tenderloin that is cut too small for a tenderloin steak.
So why do so many beef tips recipes call for stew meat?
I will admit that I don’t really know the actual answer, but my assumption is that Beef Tips was a recipe that was originally created to use those extra pieces of the tenderloin, but became popular and people started using other cuts of beef instead of just the leftover pieces of tenderloin.
Today, we know it as a dish that has super tender chunks of beef that have been slow simmered in a delicious gravy.
- Beef Chuck Roast – I like to use chuck roast because I find it’s the most tender.
- Salt and Pepper
- Vegetable oil – for browning the meat and cooking the vegetables.
- Onion, Celery, Carrot and Garlic – the best combination!
- Tomato Paste – you’ll only need 2 tablespoons, so I love to buy it in a tube because it makes storing the leftovers easy.
- Flour – this will thicken your gravy.
- Beef Stock – I always have beef broth on hand, but I specifically bought beef stock for this recipe since I wanted that rich flavor.
- Bay Leaf, Thyme and Parsley – these are used to flavor the gravy.
- Red Wine Vinegar – the vinegar helps to balance the flavors and is a little secret weapon that I need to remember to use more often!
- More Parsley – to bring in a bit of a fresh element at the end.
How to Make Beef Tips and Gravy
- Start by cutting your beef into bite-sized pieces. I make them about 1-2 inches long and 1/4-inch thick. Then season it well with salt and pepper.
- Working with about half of the beef at a time, brown the pieces in a hot cast iron skillet with vegetable oil.
- When the beef is browned, remove it all from the skillet to a bowl and add more vegetable oil. Cook the vegetables in the oil until they are softened.
- Add the tomato paste and cook through, then add the flour and cook until it is incorporated.
- Add the stock to the skillet and bring it to a boil, making sure you are scraping all of the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Return the beef and any juices to the skillet, then add the bay leaf, thyme and parsley. Cover the skillet and simmer until the sauce is thickened and the beef is super tender.
- Remove the bay leaf, thyme and parsley.
- Stir in the vinegar and the chopped parsley.
You can really use any cut of beef that you want to – from tenderloin to sirloin to chuck roast. And while you could use the stew meat that is already cut from the supermarket, I would suggest that you buy a chuck roast and cut it yourself. Not only is it more economical, but you will also know exactly what you are getting. I use a chuck roast for this recipe, and find that it has the perfect amount of fat and become so incredibly tender after braising in the cast iron skillet.
My favorite way to serve beef tips is over mashed potatoes. But you can also serve it over rice or noodles – egg noodles are perfect.
The secret here is a low, slow cook. This is not a meal you can have on the table in 30 minutes. A few tips, though – make sure you cut your meat against the grain, and also make sure you’re pieces aren’t too big.
I have not tested this recipe in the slow cooker myself, but I have had readers make this successfully in the crockpot.
EASIEST Beef Tips & Rice Recipe! Your Taste Buds Will Thank You
FAQ
How long does it take to cook beef tips on top of the stove?
Add stew meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides; about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour 2 cups water, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce into the skillet. Stir in garlic powder, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
How long does beef take to cook on the stove?
| beef cut | weight/thickness | Approximate total cooking time Medium Rare (145°F) to Medium (160°F) (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Sirloin Tip Side Steak** (marinate) | 3/4 inch 1 inch | 10 to 12 13 to 15 |
| Ground Beef Crumbles*** | 1 pound | 8 to 10 |
| Ground Beef Patties*** | 1/2 inch (4 ounces each) 3/4 inch (6 ounces each) | 10 to 12 14 to 16 |
How long do you cook stew meat on the stove for it to be tender?
Place a lid on top, turn heat down to low, then simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove lid then gently simmer for another 1-1/2 hours, or until the meat is tender and stew has thickened, stirring occasionally. If the stew begins to reduce too quickly before the meat is tender, place the lid back on top.
How long does it take for beef to fully cook?
| Minimum internal temperature = 145°F (63°C). Allow to rest for at least 3 minutes. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Oven °F/°C | Timing |
| Round or rump roast 2 ½ to 4 lbs. | 325°F (163°C) | 30 to 35 min/lb. |
| Tenderloin roast, whole 4 to 6 lbs. | 425°F (218°C) | 45 to 60 minutes total |
| Lamb |
How long do you cook beef tips?
For tender beef tips, simmer them in a covered skillet over low heat for about 60 to 90 minutes. Keep an eye on ’em, making sure they’re not rushing into becoming tough. Patience here is your best pal. Look for cuts like sirloin or tenderloin.
How long do you cook beef tips in a crock pot?
Let the beef tips simmer gently until they are tender, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Check occasionally to ensure there’s still enough liquid, adding more broth if needed. Thicken sauce: Once beef is tender, remove the lid. If you desire a thicker sauce, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the skillet.
Can you cook beef tips on the stove?
Cooking beef tips on the stove is a straightforward process that yields delicious results. With the right cut of meat, a bit of patience, and a splash of creativity, you can whip up a meal that’s both hearty and flavorful.
How long does it take to cook stew meat?
Add stew meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides; about 3 to 5 minutes. Simmer until meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours, by pouring 2 cups water, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce into the skillet, then stirring in garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and bringing to a boil.
Can you cook beef tips in a slow cooker?
Beef Tips should be prepared with a more tender cut of meat such as sirloin or tenderloin, unless they’re being prepared in the Slow Cooker. See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
How should I store leftover beef tips?
To store leftover beef tips, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When ready to eat, reheat gently on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave. One Allrecipes community member shared, “I tried this and thought it was wonderful. My beef tips always seemed to be lacking something, but this is what I have been looking for.