Cody Casey
Crockpot beef tips and rice is a comforting and hearty recipe that can be served any day of the week. It is a convenient and easy recipe that can be prepared in the morning and left to cook slowly throughout the day. The beef tips are cooked until tender and then served with rice, making a delicious meal that will have people asking for seconds. This recipe can be adapted to personal preference, with options to use white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or even mashed potatoes instead of rice.
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What You'll Learn
Prep ingredients the night before
Preparing your ingredients the night before can save you time and effort when it comes to cooking the next day. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing your beef tips and rice crockpot meal ahead of time:
- Thaw the beef: For food safety, it is best to thaw frozen beef tips overnight in the fridge before adding them to the crockpot. This ensures that the meat doesn't stay at an unsafe temperature for too long.
- Chop the beef: Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces. You can ask your butcher to do this for you, or you can do it yourself. Try to cut the meat into evenly sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
- Prepare the rice: If you plan to serve your beef tips with rice, consider preparing the rice the night before. Cook the rice according to the package instructions and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. That way, your rice will be ready to serve when your beef tips are done.
- Chop vegetables: If you plan to include onions, garlic, or any other vegetables or seasonings, chop and prepare them the night before. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Mix seasonings: If you're using a seasoning mix, such as a brown gravy mix, dry onion soup mix, or Worcestershire sauce, prepare the mixture according to the package instructions and store it separately in the refrigerator.
- Assemble the crockpot (optional): If your crockpot bowl can be removed and stored in the refrigerator, you can assemble the entire dish the night before. Place the chopped beef in the crockpot, add the vegetables, seasonings, and broth, and give it a stir. Cover and store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply turn on your crockpot and let it cook according to your recipe instructions.
Preparing your ingredients the night before can make the cooking process more efficient and enjoyable. You'll be able to relax and let your crockpot do the work while you anticipate the delicious smells and flavours of your beef tips and rice meal.
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Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours
Cooking your beef tips and rice in a crock pot is a great way to make a delicious, hearty meal with minimal effort. The slow cooker method means you can simply add your ingredients and leave them to cook for hours, filling your home with mouth-watering aromas.
When it comes to cooking times, you have options. You can cook your beef tips on a high heat setting for 3 to 4 hours, or, alternatively, you can opt for a lower heat setting and leave it to cook slowly over 7 to 8 hours. The benefit of the latter is that you'll achieve even more tender meat, but both methods will result in tasty beef tips.
If you're short on time, you can still achieve delicious results by cooking on high heat for 4 hours. However, for the best results, it is recommended to cook your beef tips and rice on low heat for a longer period. This allows the flavors to truly develop and the meat to become meltingly tender.
Remember, it's important to ensure your meat is thawed before adding it to the crockpot for food safety reasons. Starting with frozen meat can keep it in an unsafe temperature range for too long, so it's best to plan ahead and thaw overnight in the fridge if possible.
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Thicken gravy with cornstarch
To thicken gravy with cornstarch, start by preparing a mixture of cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. For every tablespoon of cornstarch, use one tablespoon of water. Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and free of lumps.
Next, pour the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker containing the gravy. Use a whisk or a spoon to combine the cornstarch mixture with the gravy. Make sure to mix thoroughly so that the cornstarch is fully incorporated.
Finally, cook the gravy over high heat until it reaches your desired thickness. This should take around 15-20 minutes. Keep a close eye on the gravy as it thickens, and adjust the heat as needed. If the gravy becomes too thick, you can add a small amount of broth or water to thin it out.
You can also add extra ingredients to your gravy for enhanced flavour. Some options include caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or dried/fresh herbs.
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Don't sear the meat
If you don't want to sear the meat, simply skip that step in the recipe. You can still make beef tips and rice in a crockpot without searing the meat beforehand. Searing the meat does add flavour, but it is not necessary to "seal in the juices" as was once thought. Both methods will result in tender beef.
To make beef tips and rice without searing the meat, start by placing the chopped stew meat in the bottom of the crockpot. You can use any inexpensive beef cut into small pieces, or opt for a more tender cut such as sirloin or tenderloin. Add the rest of the ingredients, including the rice, on top of the stew meat. Do not add the rice if you are serving it on the side.
The ingredients you add will depend on your recipe, but common additions include onion flakes, salt, pepper, gravy mix, and beef broth. You can also add vegetables such as mushrooms and carrots if desired. Mix all the ingredients together, ensuring the beef is nicely coated.
Cook the beef tips and rice on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. If you like your meat more pink, cook for 6-6.5 hours, and if you prefer it more well done, cook closer to 7 hours. Once the cooking time is up, give everything a good stir and serve. You can serve the beef tips over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles, depending on your preference.
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Fluff rice before serving
To cook beef tips and rice in a crockpot, you can simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker in the morning and let it cook all day. However, it is recommended that you thaw the beef tips overnight in the fridge before adding them to the crockpot for food safety reasons. Once cooked, you can serve the beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or cooked rice.
Now, onto the question of fluffing rice before serving. It is recommended to fluff rice with a fork before serving to separate the grains and prevent them from becoming mushy. Here are the steps to fluff rice:
- After the rice is done cooking, let it sit with the heat off but the lid on for 5 to 10 minutes to finish cooking and steaming. This allows the rice to absorb the remaining water and for excess moisture to dry off.
- Remove the lid and use a fork to gently rake through the rice, separating and lifting up sections. Do not stir or smash the rice; instead, use shorter, shallower motions. You can do this as you transfer the rice to a serving bowl or container.
- If the rice is ready before serving, place a folded towel over the saucepan and replace the lid to keep it warm and prevent overcooking.
- Fluff the rice again gently before serving.
By fluffing the rice, you ensure that the grains are separated and not tightly packed, resulting in perfectly fluffy rice to accompany your beef tips.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time varies depending on the crockpot setting. It is recommended to cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
It is best to thaw the beef tips before adding them to the crockpot for food safety reasons. Starting with frozen meat can keep it at an unsafe temperature for too long. Thaw the meat overnight in the fridge before adding it to the crockpot.
You can serve crockpot beef tips with cooked rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
