Why You’ll Love these Savory Simmered Beef Tips
When you’re looking for a meal that delivers maximum comfort with minimum fuss, these savory simmered beef tips are absolutely perfect. The tender chunks of rump roast practically melt in your mouth, while the rich gravy—created from a magical combination of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and those essential bay leaves—creates a depth of flavor that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day.
I love how the mushrooms add an earthy dimension that complements the beef beautifully.
Plus, this recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Serve it over fluffy rice, mashed potatoes, or even buttered noodles. Pure comfort on a plate.
What Ingredients are in Savory Simmered Beef Tips?
These savory beef tips are built around simple, hearty ingredients that transform into something magical during the slow simmering process. What I love most about this recipe is how it takes affordable cuts of beef and turns them into something that feels special enough for Sunday dinner but easy enough for a weeknight meal.
The combination of canned soups and seasonings creates a rich, flavorful gravy that infuses the meat with incredible depth as it cooks.
- 1 rump roast, trimmed and cut into bite-size chunks
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (4 ounce) can mushrooms
- 1 package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1½ cups water
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Flour and water mixture for thickening
When shopping for this recipe, the quality of your rump roast matters, but you don’t need to splurge on premium cuts since the long simmer will tenderize the meat beautifully.
The bay leaf might seem like a small addition, but it’s actually essential for that authentic, homestyle flavor—I wouldn’t skip it. For the mushrooms, you can definitely substitute fresh if you prefer them over canned, just sauté them first to release some of their moisture.
And while the recipe calls for serving over rice, this versatile dish works just as wonderfully over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
How to Make these Savory Simmered Beef Tips
The secret to these incredibly tender beef tips lies in the browning process. Start by trimming your rump roast and cutting it into bite-sized chunks—not too small, as they’ll shrink during cooking. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then add your beef pieces.
Take your time with this step, tossing the meat until all sides develop a rich, caramelized brown color. This isn’t just for appearance; that browning creates deep flavor compounds that will infuse your entire dish. You’ll notice the meat will release some of its own juices during this process, creating a flavorful liquid in the pot—don’t drain this off, it’s liquid gold!
Once your beef is beautifully browned, it’s time to build the savory base. To the pot with your beef and its natural broth, add 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, a 4-ounce can of mushrooms (including the liquid), 1 package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix, 1½ cups of water, and that all-important bay leaf.
The recipe actually emphasizes not to skip the bay leaf, and I’ve to agree—it adds a subtle complexity that ties everything together. For recipes requiring extensive mixing of ingredients, an electric stand mixer can save significant time and effort while ensuring even incorporation. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, keeping in mind that the soup mix already contains some sodium.
Now comes the patience part: reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and let everything cook slowly until the beef is tender but not falling apart—usually about 1½ to 2 hours, depending on the size of your beef chunks.
When the beef has reached that perfect tender-but-still-intact stage, it’s time to give the sauce that silky, gravy-like consistency. In a small bowl, mix flour with cool water to create a semi-thick paste with no lumps. Start with about 2 tablespoons of flour to ¼ cup water, then whisk until smooth.
Slowly pour this mixture into the simmering pot while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Let the sauce simmer for another 5-10 minutes to thicken and cook out any raw flour taste. Don’t forget to remove that bay leaf before serving!
For an even more exceptional result, consider using a premium seafood cookware set that provides superior heat distribution and prevents scorching of your delicate sauce.
Spoon these sumptuous beef tips with their rich gravy over a bed of fluffy rice, and watch as everyone at the table goes completely silent—except for the occasional satisfied “mmm.”
Savory Simmered Beef Tips Substitutions and Variations
While this beef tips recipe is delicious exactly as written, you’ve got plenty of options if you need to make substitutions or want to put your own spin on it.
Don’t have rump roast? Chuck roast works beautifully, too. You can swap golden mushroom soup for cream of mushroom if you prefer a richer color. No fresh mushrooms? The canned ones are perfectly fine, or try portobello for a meatier texture.
For a twist, add a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce for depth.
Can’t do onion soup mix? Try fresh onions with beef broth.
And rice isn’t your only option—these tips are heavenly over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
What to Serve with Savory Simmered Beef Tips
Now that we’ve covered how to adapt the recipe to your pantry and preferences, let’s talk about creating the perfect meal around your savory beef tips.
These rich, tender beef tips practically beg for a starchy companion to soak up that delicious gravy. Rice is traditional, but have you considered creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles? Divine.
For vegetables, I love steamed green beans with a touch of garlic or a simple side salad with vinaigrette. Roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts offer wonderful contrast to the beef’s richness.
Want to take it up a notch? Add a basket of warm dinner rolls for gravy-dipping purposes. Trust me, not a drop will go to waste.
Final Thoughts
After preparing this savory beef tips recipe countless times, I’ve come to appreciate its remarkable versatility and comfort-food status in my household.
There’s something magical about that bay leaf—don’t even think about skipping it! Just like in a classic creamy potato soup, this aromatic leaf adds depth that transforms the entire dish. The rich gravy that develops as the beef simmers creates a sauce that’s perfect for soaking into fluffy rice.
What I love most is how this dish brings everyone to the table with anticipation. Simple ingredients transforming into something extraordinary, isn’t that what cooking is all about?
A humble rump roast becoming a meal worthy of special occasions, yet easy enough for weeknights. If you enjoy meal prepping, consider trying make-ahead meals like chicken burritos that offer similar convenience for busy weeknights.
