How To Make Savory Beef Tips and Gravy with Rice

Unlock the secrets of time-saving culinary magic! In our upcoming blog post, discover how the Instant Pot transforms the art of cooking beef tips and gravy with rice into a seamless and speedy affair.

Get ready to indulge in rich, flavorful comfort with the convenience of this kitchen marvel. Stay tuned for a hassle-free, delicious experience that's perfect for busy days!

Related Beef Posts:

• Beef Suya Skewers
• Beef Stew
• Braised Beef Neck Bones

Navigating the culinary landscape of cooking beef tips with gravy and rice presents a delectable challenge. Achieving the perfect harmony of tender beef, flavorful gravy, and perfectly cooked rice demands precision and attention to detail.

As we embark on this gastronomic journey, the goal is to create a dish where each element complements the others, ensuring a symphony of tastes that satisfies the palate.

Cooking beef tips with gravy and rice involves managing several flavor challenges to achieve a harmonious and delicious dish:

1. Balancing the Gravy: Crafting a flavorful gravy is crucial, but it's essential to strike a balance. Too salty or overpowering, and it can dominate the overall taste. Achieving a savory, well-seasoned gravy that enhances rather than overwhelms the beef and rice requires careful seasoning and monitoring during cooking.
2. Tenderizing the Beef Tips: Beef tips can vary in tenderness, and achieving the ideal texture without sacrificing flavor can be a challenge. Ensuring the beef is cooked long enough to become tender while avoiding overcooking is essential. This involves choosing the right cuts and employing cooking methods like slow braising or simmering.
3. Infusing Flavor into Rice: Rice, as a neutral base, can sometimes be overlooked in terms of flavor. To elevate the entire dish, ensuring the rice is properly seasoned or cooked in broth can add depth. The challenge lies in infusing the rice with complementary flavors that enhance the overall dining experience.
4. Avoiding Overwhelm: Each component - beef, gravy, and rice - should contribute to the overall flavor without overpowering the others. Achieving a delicate balance where each element shines independently while harmonizing as a whole requires careful attention to ingredient proportions and seasoning.

Beef Tips and rice are a simple, but delicious comfort food. Made with tender beef chunks cooked in a rich brown gravy these satisfy a whole household. 

I changed my typical recipe and converted it to Instant Pot Beef Tips. So you get a faster cook time, but same outstanding flavor. You’ll love this recipe for many reasons - it’s damn good, it’s cheap, and can feed a full house.

The instant pot means you can enjoy beef tips and rice on a weeknight even after a long day of work.

How Is This Recipe Different

I followed traditional rice and beef tips approach with one slight twist. As I am a fusion food guy I too a classic Southern soul food dish and added authentic Haitian epis seasoning which makes things just a bit more interesting in a real good way!

I used a pressure cooker (Instant Pot) to make this recipe in a fraction of the time. Whereas traditional recipes call for a long slow braise that usually takes 2 hours plus, the Instant Pot gets you crazy delicious flavors in more than half the normal cooking time.

What Is Haitian Epis And What Does It Add To Beef Tips

Haitian epis is a flavorful seasoning base used in Haitian cuisine. It typically consists of a blend of fresh herbs, spices, and aromatics. Common ingredients in epis include parsley, cilantro, garlic, bell peppers, scallions, thyme, and Scotch bonnet peppers. These elements are finely chopped or blended together to create a vibrant and aromatic seasoning paste.

When added to beef tips and gravy, Haitian epis contributes a distinctive and bold flavor profile. The combination of herbs, spices, and aromatics enhances the overall depth of taste, infusing the dish with a unique Haitian flair.

The garlic and peppers provide a subtle heat and pungency, while the fresh herbs contribute a bright and fragrant essence. Haitian epis acts as a flavor catalyst, elevating the savory notes of the beef and enriching the overall culinary experience with a burst of Caribbean-inspired taste.

Beats and Eats (music that pairs well with Beef Tips and Rice)

A good beef tips recipe is feel good food requiring feel good soul music. The 80s era was full of hidden gems and/or unsung voices especially female soul/r&b artists. Stephanie Mills is at or near the top of that list. Her "Something In The Way You Make Me Feel" is a classic and is likely to put you in open and positive frame of mind after a listen.

The song's soulful and uplifting vibes, coupled with its smooth melody and emotional depth, complement the comforting and rich nature of the Southern dish. Here's why they pair well:

1. Emotional Resonance: The song's emotional resonance and Stephanie Mills' soulful delivery evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia. This fits seamlessly with the comforting and hearty essence of Southern beef tips and gravy, creating a shared emotional experience for the senses.
2. Sensory Harmony: The smooth and rhythmic melody of the song mirrors the savory and velvety textures of the beef tips and gravy. The pairing enhances the overall sensory experience, creating a cohesive blend of auditory and gustatory pleasures.

BEEF TIPS AND RICE INGREDIENTS

• Beef Sirloin Steak - I prefer buying steak vs. beef stew meat to ensure quality.
• Cajun Seasoning - any store bought will do but make your own with paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano
• Fresh Thyme
• Haitian Epis Seasoning Base - - The garlic provides depth, the herbs contribute a bright and fragrant quality, and the Scotch bonnet peppers add a subtle kick without overpowering. This seasoning base acts as a flavor enhancer, transforming the beef tips and gravy into a deliciously unique and culturally rich culinary delight.
• Onion
• Garlic Cloves
• Red Wine
• Beef Broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Bay Leaf
• All-purpose Flour - for the roux
• Butter or olive oil
• Rice - I use plain white rice with my beef tips. There are some good quick cook microwave rice offering. You have to be selective though since many are low quality and result in gummy rice where the grains stick together.

INSTANT POT BEEF TIPS COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Make the roux

Start with a 2:1 ratio flour to fat and mix right in the skillet until smooth and well blended. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and place skillet in the oven.

Check the roux after about 20 minutes. Stir as necessary and bake until desired color. I prefer a darker chocolate color which will require a bit more time.

Step 2: Make the Beef Tips

Cut the steak into ¼ - ½ inch cubes. Season generously with the cajun seasoning blend. Set aside.

Heat Instant Pot to “high” saute settings. Once saute display reads “Hot” add a tablespoon of oil then brown the beef on all sides.

Remove the browned beef to a paper towel-lined plate.

Add the onion and saute 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute. Season the vegetables as you saute with some of the cajun seasoning.

Add a ½ cup of the epic seasoning to the onions and stir mixing well. 

Add the beef stock, wine, and Worcestershire sauce mixing well to deglaze the pan. Add the bay leaf, fresh thyme, and some more of the spices, then add the beef tips back to the pot. Close the lid and then pressure cook for 20 minutes. 

Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then manually release the pressure afterward.

Cancel pressure cooking then return the Instant Pot back to “saute” settings. Add the roux, mix well and cook another 10 minutes. Serve over rice, cooked in your preferred way.

What To Serve With Rice Beef Tips

Beef tips and gravy pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, enhancing the overall dining experience. Here are some delightful options to consider:

1. Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes provide a perfect canvas for soaking up the savory gravy, creating a comforting and hearty combination.
2. Rice or Pasta: Serve the beef tips and gravy over a bed of fluffy rice or your favorite pasta to complement the rich flavors and add texture.
3. Polenta or Grits: The creamy texture of polenta or grits pairs exceptionally well with the savory beef and gravy, offering a unique and comforting twist.
4. Biscuits or Bread: Sop up the delicious gravy with warm, flaky biscuits or crusty bread to complete the meal and enjoy every last bit of flavor.
5. Coleslaw: The crisp and tangy nature of coleslaw can balance the richness of the beef and gravy, adding a refreshing element to the plate.

Best Cuts For Making Beef Tips

When preparing beef tips and gravy, it's best to choose cuts of beef that are flavorful and become tender when cooked. Here are some excellent beef cuts for making delicious beef tips:

1. Sirloin Tips: Sirloin tips are a popular choice for beef tips due to their tenderness and robust flavor. They're well-suited for quick cooking methods like sautéing or pan-searing.
2. Tenderloin Tips: Tenderloin tips, also known as filet mignon tips, are exceptionally tender and have a buttery texture. While they are on the pricier side, they offer a luxurious option for beef tips.
3. Top Sirloin: Top sirloin is flavorful and more affordable than tenderloin cuts. It can be cut into bite-sized pieces and is suitable for slow cooking or braising.
4. Chuck Roast: Chuck roast is a budget-friendly option that becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked. It's well-suited for braising or stewing in the gravy, imparting rich flavors to the dish.
5. Round Steak: Round steak is lean and can be cut into bite-sized tips. Braising or slow-cooking helps tenderize the meat, making it suitable for beef tips and gravy.

How To Maximize Flavor In This Recipe

To maximize flavor in your beef tips and gravy with rice recipe, consider incorporating the following techniques and ingredients:

1. Marinate the Beef: Allow the beef tips to marinate in a flavorful mixture before cooking. Use ingredients like garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs to infuse the meat with additional depth and richness.
2. Brown the Beef: Sear the beef tips in a hot pan before slow-cooking or simmering. This step caramelizes the surface, enhancing the overall flavor of the meat and contributing a rich, savory taste to the dish.
3. Use Aromatics: Incorporate aromatic vegetables such as onions, garlic, and shallots into the dish. Sauté them before adding the beef to create a flavor base that builds complexity.
4. Add Wine or Broth: Deglaze the pan with red wine or beef broth after browning the beef. This helps to lift the flavorful bits stuck to the pan, infusing the gravy with rich, savory undertones.
5. Fresh Herbs: Include fresh herbs like thyme or parsley during the cooking process. These herbs contribute a burst of freshness and enhance the overall aromatic profile.
6. Experiment with Spices: Use a mix of spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika to add warmth and complexity. Adjust the spice levels according to your taste preferences.
7. Slow Cook for Tenderness: Opt for slow-cooking methods, like braising or simmering, to allow the beef tips to become tender and absorb the flavors of the gravy thoroughly.

COOKING CONSIDERATIONS AND TIPS

Beef tips recipe success will depend largely on the type of meat used. Many recipes call for stew meat. However, I prefer to buy a sirloin steak and cut it myself. This way I know what I’m working with from a quality standpoint exactly and I can also guarantee that I'll be getting the freshest meat. Chuck or round roasts also make good options.

Cut the tips as evenly as possible to ensure near-even cooking. You don’t have to be exact, but you get the point hopefully.

For easier slicing, partially freeze the steak ahead of time. A semi-frozen steak is much easier to cut, vs a wet tender raw steak.

Season as you go. I mix my spices ahead of time then add “pinches” here and there at each step. Worcestershire sauce is your friend and is a defining flavor in the dish. You don’t have to use as much as other recipes call for given the Haitian Epis seasoning offers a flavor base on its own.

Many traditional recipes call for onion soup mix, but it's not needed here given the unique flavor enhancements

Haitian epis appears in many of my recipes. It’s a base seasoning that is very similar to a sofrito or creole Holy Trinity (onion, celery, bell pepper).

Don’t skimp on the roux. You can cheat and make a slurry to save time, but you lose a bit on flavor.

The recipe is for instant pot, but can easily be made on traditional stovetop. Steps are the same, but cook time and process are a slow simmer for about 2 hours after browning the beef tips.

I'm not a crockpot guy, but you could convert the recipe to this cooking method also. It will be important to brown the meat in a separate skillet first though. You could also cook beef tips old school style via a large dutch oven.

Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, collard greens, or egg noodles.

The Anatomy of A Good Gravy Recipe

Gravy consists of several key components that work together to create a flavorful and textured sauce. Here's a breakdown of the key elements that contribute to the structure of gravy:

1. Base:
   • Beef Drippings: The foundation comes from the drippings left in the cooking pan. These drippings contain flavorful juices and browned bits from the cooked meat.
2. Liquid:
   • Broth or Stock: Provides the liquid base for the gravy. It serves to capture and transfer the flavors from the drippings into the sauce.
3. Thickening Agent:
   • Flour or Cornstarch: To achieve the desired consistency, a thickening agent is used. Flour or cornstarch is often mixed with a liquid to create a smooth paste before being added to the pan, where it thickens the gravy as it cooks.
4. Aromatics:
   • Onions, Garlic, Herbs: Aromatics such as onions and garlic are sautéed in the pan before making the gravy. Fresh or dried herbs, like thyme, can also be added to enhance the overall flavor.
5. Seasonings:
   • Salt, Pepper, Spices: Gravy is seasoned to taste, typically with salt and pepper, but additional spices or herbs may be added for depth and complexity.
6. Deglazing:
   • Wine: To capture the flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan after cooking meat, the wine is used to deglaze the pan. This process ensures that the concentrated flavors are incorporated into the gravy.
7. Finishing Touches:
   • Butter: Depending on the desired richness, a finishing touch may include a knob of butter, a splash of cream, or additional seasoning to balance and enhance the overall taste.

Understanding the interplay of these components allows for the creation of a well-balanced and delicious gravy. Adjusting the quantities and combinations of these elements allows you to tailor the gravy to your preferences.

Beef Tips and Rice Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are beef tips and stew meat the same?

They can be, but not entirely. Stew meat can be used in a beef tips recipe, but most beef tip recipes call for whole cuts of meats that are then chopped up for beef tips. Sirloin and chuck are commonly used.

How do you make tough beef tips tender?

Tenderness is achieved through low and slow cooking. Instant Pot "pressure cooking" achieves the same thing but much faster. Acidity helps as a tenderizer also.

What is good to eat with beef tips?

Beef tips and rice are a great combination and most common. However mashed potatoes, tips and gravy are heavenly. Pretty much anything you're comfortable putting gravy on works well with beef tips.

What kind of meat is beef tips?

It depends on you. Beef tips are just chunks of beef, but they could be made from many different types of beef cuts including sirloin and chuck roast.

What Sides do you serve with beef tips and rice?

A good mustard greens salad is a great side salad option. Greens dishes work well to balance against the richness of the gravy and the starchy rice. Slaw is another great option.

What size Instant Pot do you use?

I have an 8 quart instant pot, but 6 quarts are most common. Size depends on the type of cooking you're doing primarily and the number of people in your household.

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Make Rice Recipe Beef Tips

Instant Pot beef tips and gravy recipe demonstrates the perfect fusion of convenience and culinary excellence. The efficiency of the Instant Pot effortlessly transforms tender beef tips into succulent bites bathed in a luscious, savory gravy.

With each flavorful spoonful, the Instant Pot proves its prowess in delivering both efficiency and taste, providing a satisfying and delightful dish that invites you to savor the rich flavors without the lengthy preparation. Elevate your dining experience with this recipe, where the magic of the Instant Pot meets the comfort of hearty beef tips and gravy.

If you make this beef tips and rice recipe or any other from the site, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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