Beef tips are a delicious, versatile, and budget-friendly meat cut that can be used in a variety of dishes. But what exactly are beef tips? Where do they come from on the cow? And how should you cook them? 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 cubed pieces of beef usually taken from the round or sirloin primal cuts. These are lean areas of the cow that get a fair amount of movement resulting in meat that is flavorful yet slightly tough. Cutting the meat into smaller “tips” helps make it more tender.
While the tenderloin would yield the most tender beef tips, it’s too expensive to commonly use for this purpose. Round or sirloin tips offer the best value and balance of flavor and tenderness.
Common Names for Beef Tips
You may also see beef tips labelled as
- Round tips
- Sirloin tips
- Stew meat
- Kabob or kebab meat
- Stir fry beef
All of these terms generally refer to the same small, cubed cuts of beef from the round or sirloin.
Why Are Beef Tips a Popular Choice?
There are several reasons why beef tips are commonly used in home cooking:
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Cost – Beef tips are an economical choice compared to other beef cuts. Using less tender areas like the round or sirloin keeps the costs down.
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Versatility – Their small size and moderate tenderness means beef tips work well in long braises, quick stir fries, kebabs, and more.
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Flavor – Coming from working areas of the cow, beef tips have excellent beefy flavor.
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Easy prep – No slicing or pounding required, beef tips are ready to cook as is!
So for an affordable meat that plays well in all sorts of dishes, beef tips are a go-to choice for many home cooks.
How to Cook Beef Tips for Maximum Tenderness
While beef tips have great flavor, they can turn out tough if cooked improperly. Here are some tips for keeping them tender:
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Choose the right cut – Look for beef tips specifically labeled as coming from the sirloin or round, not just generic “stew meat”, which could be tougher cuts.
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Trim the fat – Visible fat caps can make beef tips chewy. Carefully trim to remove fat before cooking.
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Marinate – A marinade breaks down muscle fibers. Let beef tips soak for at least 2 hours, or up to 8-12 hours for maximum effect.
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Cook with liquid – Braising, stewing, or cooking beef tips in a flavorful liquid will produce tender, fall-apart meat.
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Use a meat tenderizer – A powdered meat tenderizer containing papain or bromelain enzymes can further break down tough connective tissue.
Best Cooking Methods for Beef Tips
Beef tips shine when prepared using moist-heat cooking methods:
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Braising or stewing – Low and slow braising or stewing results in ultra tender beef tips in a rich gravy or sauce. Cook for 1-2 hours.
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Simmering in sauce – Gentle simmering in a flavorful sauce infuses beef tips with taste. Takes about 1 hour.
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Stir frying – Toss beef tips in the wok for quick, weeknight stir fries. Cook 4-6 minutes just until done.
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Skewering – Alternating beef tips with veggies and fruit makes tasty kabobs. Grill over medium heat for 8-12 minutes.
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Slow cooker – Add everything in the morning and come home to super tender beef tips. Cook on low for 8+ hours.
The key is to use moist heat and cook low and slow or just until done. Beef tips prepared this way will reward you with melt-in-your-mouth texture and scrumptious flavor.
Best Flavor Pairings for Beef Tips
Beef tips have a mild beefy taste that benefits from lots of seasoning. Some all-star flavor combinations include:
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Steakhouse – Worchestershire, pepper, garlic, onions
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Italian – Basil, oregano, garlic, red wine
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Southwestern – Chili powder, cumin, garlic, cilantro
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Asian – Ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil
Let your cuisine of choice guide you, and remember that beef tips need more seasoning than naturally tender cuts like filet mignon or ribeye.
What to Serve with Beef Tips
The possibilities for sides to serve with beef tips are nearly endless! Consider:
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Noodles – Egg noodles, spaetzle, macaroni
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Rice – White or fried rice, risotto
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Potatoes – Mashed, roasted, fried cubes
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Breads – Dinner rolls, biscuits, garlic bread
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Vegetables – Carrots, peas, broccoli, cauliflower
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Salad – Tossed, Caesar, spinach
Choose a starch, veggie, and/or salad to round out the meal. Beef tips also work well served over the starch or veggie rather than on the side.
Key Takeaways on Beef Tips
Beef tips are economical, versatile cubes of beef from the sirloin or round. To maximize tenderness and flavor:
- Trim fat and marinate for best texture
- Cook low and slow using moist heat methods
- Season them well to bring out the beefy flavor
- Pair with noodles, rice, potatoes, vegetables, and more
With the proper care in preparation, beef tips can be an amazing and budget-friendly meal option. Their versatility lends itself to everything from weeknight stir fry to Sunday suppers and they deliver on big, bold beef flavor.
How to Make Beef Tips | Beef Recipes | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
What cut of meat are 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 — While part of the sirloin tip is often used, steak tips can also come from flap meat, flank steak, as well as tenderloin tip and parts of the round.
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Simply Recipeshttps://www.simplyrecipes.comSteak Tips – Simply RecipesSteak 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 midd…
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.
Are beef tips tough?
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Cut Selection:Beef tips are often labeled as “steak tips” or “sirloin tips” and are generally derived from the sirloin or flap meat, which can have thicker, tightly packed muscle fibers.
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Cooking Temperature:Rare or medium-rare cooking (below 130 degrees) can make beef tips tough due to the thick fibers, while cooking them past medium (140 degrees) can dry them out, according to America’s Test Kitchen. Cooking to medium (130-140 degrees) can shrink the diameter of the meat fibers, retain moisture, and make the meat more tender, according to America’s Test Kitchen.
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Tenderizing Techniques:Marinating with acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar, or using a meat mallet to pound the meat before cooking can help break down the muscle fibers and make them more tender, according to Just Cook and Food Network.
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Thin Slicing:Slicing beef tips thinly can also make them more manageable, even if the original cut was tough.