BEEF TIPS AND GRAVY is pure comfort food and this version is low carb and keto! We serve ours over a pile of mashed cauliflower for a hearty dinner that the whole family will request again and again.
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I’m such a sucker for comfort food. Which, I guess…who isn’t?
But lately, I have been on a major comfort food kick. I’m sure the rest of the world is right along with me in that. 2020 has been rough, right?
I wanted to bring you all a little comfort today with one of our all time favorite keto recipes…keto beef tips and gravy!
The beef is so tender, the sauce is so rich, hearty, and savory, and when you serve these over my mashed cauliflower, I swear you’ll never guess you’re eating a low carb dinner.
This is a meal that the whole family will love!
What are beef tips?
Beef tips often are referring to beef tenderloin or sirloin, however this term isn’t regulated and grocery stores will also sell many different cuts of meat labeled as beef tips.
For quick cooking recipes, you’d want to be sure you were getting tenderloin or sirloin tips (just confirm with your butcher before purchasing). This will ensure your meat is nice and tender.
But, for this recipe and others like it, a cut like chuck roast is the better option because we’re cooking it low and slow. This is the more economical choice and, in the end, the beef is going to be super tender thanks to the way we cook it.
If your grocery store doesn’t sell ‘beef tips’ you can purchase a chuck roast and cut it into bite sized pieces or you can buy a package of stew meat. Both work great!
How to cook beef tips:
We’re going the more economical route and using chuck roast for our beef tips, which means we’ll want to first sear the meat to build in some of that deep, savory flavor.
Next, you’ll want to simmer the beef, covered, for a couple of hours to let it get nice and tender.
The meat cooks in a rich sauce of broth, bouillon, Worcestershire, onion, and spices. Think onion soup mix, but instead of a packet, we’re doing the seasoning ourselves.
To thicken the sauce, you’ll whisk a little xanthan gum into the broth and let it simmer for 30 minutes to thicken up.
Voila! Beef tips and gravy!
You’ll definitely want a plate full of mashed cauliflower to soak up some of that delicious gravy. It’s so good I could almost drink it!
What is xanthan gum:
Xanthan gum sounds a little weird, but it’s a totally natural product that’s added to more foods than you realize. It’s used to thicken and stabilize products like salad dressings, soups, ice creams, syrups, and many gluten free foods.
It’s a soluble fiber, which means it’s a carb that your body doesn’t break down.
You probably already eat it, you just likely don’t cook with it at home unless you’re well versed in this low carb life.
It’s easily found at most well-stocked grocery stores or you can order it from my Amazon link.
More keto comfort food:
Keto Beef Tips and Gravy
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cubed chuck roast or stew meat
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 2 tablespoons oil divided
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions
- Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large dutch oven over high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides. Work in batches if needed so that you don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the onion to the pot, stirring often, until softened about 5 minutes.
- Add the seared beef, broth, bouillon granules, Worcesetershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder to the pot and stir well to combine.
- Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, covered, for 1 ½ hours or until beef is tender.
- Remove ½ cup of the beef broth from the pan into a small bowl. Sprinkle the xanthan gum over the top and whisk well to combine.
- Pour the liquid back into the pot and stir well.
- Continue cooking for 30 minutes to thicken.
- Serve the beef tips and gravy over mashed cauliflower.
Libby says
This looks really good. The only reason for 4 stars is because I’m wondering about the 3 Tbsp. of bouillon granules. I see that you’ve noted it at “optional.” It seems like an awful lot for 2 cups of beef broth. Input, please.
Karly Campbell says
We explain it in the notes of the recipe card. It’s to mimic the flavor of an onion soup packet. You can use that instead if you prefer.
Libby says
Ah! I missed that part. Thank you for pointing this out.
Amanda says
We loved this, an instant family favorite. Do you think if I double the recipe for guests, the cooking time would stay pretty much the same?
Karly Campbell says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Yes, it should take about the same amount of time! ๐
Tina M Nichter says
Not a review but a question here. I am pressed for time, can this be done in the instapot and if so how long?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Tina! This likely could be done in the Instant Pot, I haven’t tested it so I’m not sure on timing.
Gary Casey says
Perfect recipe for comfort food on a cold, PNW night. It was perfect over mashed cauliflower. Followed your recipe as written, but added closer to 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum and probably an additional half cup of red wine. I added the xanthan gum to approximately 2 tablespoons of melted butter, whisked it, and put it into the simmering broth, it thickened up quickly โ within 4 to 5 minutes. Incredible!
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Gary! Thanks for sharing!
Amy says
Just found this recipe. It looks so yummy. I can not wait to try it. Thanks for the video as well. I love it when there is a video to watch. Thank you!!!!!! Canโt wait to make this.
Karly Campbell says
I hope you love this one! ๐
Annette Kreamer says
I want your Recipe please that look so Good.
Karly Campbell says
You scrolled right past it to leave a comment. ๐ Hope you enjoy!
Bridgette says
Not sure of anyone else has tried it in the instant pot, but I did 20 minutes on Hi with manual pressure release and it turned out great!
Karly Campbell says
Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer says
Hi! Super excited to try this! Can this be made without the Xantham Gum?
Karly Campbell says
You can make it without, but the liquid won’t thicken up.
Charlotte says
Delicious! Instead of two pounds of beef, I used one pound and added one pound of mushrooms while I was cooking the onion.
Karly Campbell says
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing, Charlotte!
Lisa Wells says
Tried this last night for dinner. Followed the recipe to the t and it was absolutely delicious!! . Thank you for sharing!
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoyed it, Lisa!
Jlynn says
I am wondering if anyone knows of how this could be converted to doing in an Instant Pot? I just received one for Christmas and really donโt know how to adjust recipes yet.
Thank you!
Meghan says
What if I only have beef bouillon cubes? Any suggestions on the conversion?
Karly Campbell says
No, sorry, I’m not sure how they convert. I’d probably use 2 myself. ๐
Ashley says
Is there a typo in this recipe? Should it say 1 tablespoon of beef bouillon? It was delicious but very very salty so I think that 3 tablespoons has to be a typo.
Karly Campbell says
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that! We do use the 3 tablespoons and don’t find it too salty. I wonder if it has to do with the different brands of beef bouillon. I haven’t received a comment or review from anyone else that found this too salty, so I’m just not sure.
Sasha says
I found it salty as well.
Lynn says
Same for me so I did some digging to what could be done so it wouldn’t go to waste. I added a touch of tomato paste which helps cut the salt. Already had it all divided into individual meals so only used a small amount ( didnt measure) and it was perfect. Next go round I will not use as much bouillon
Karly Campbell says
So glad you were able to save it! I’m guessing different brands have different sodium levels.
Lynn says
Yes Im sure it has to do with brands or the fact I dont tolerate salt and only use it in recipes and never added ‘at the table’. In all honesty, minus the ‘salty issue’ the recipe is so good that I will be making another batch this weekend. Yum yummy yum.
Noreen says
I made this for supper last night using beef stew meat. I added in a bunch of fresh sliced mushrooms because we both love mushrooms. I’m a little tired of cauliflower at this point, so I tried roasting some turnip in the oven for a side dish. The Beef tips were wonderful and we both really loved it. Another keeper for my recipe file! The turnip came out a little burnt, but tasted like roasted onions. For the very first time my husband actually liked turnip. ๐ I loved them because I love onions and they had a sweetness too them that was totally unexpected. Thanks again for another wonderful meal.
Karly Campbell says
So glad you and your husband enjoyed the beef tips! The turnips sounds delicious! ๐
Noreen says
I was using your roasted turnip recipe, but forgot to flip them half way through. It’s nice to find a recipe that is good even when I screw up. lol
Stephanie says
Can you make this in a crock pot?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Stephanie! I’ve never tried, but you probably could.
Joyce Guy says
What beef bouillon do you use?
Karly Campbell says
I have Knorr in my pantry, but any bouillon should work.
Diana Coonelly says
I bought Herb ox Beef Granulated Bouillon from Safeway for this recipe. It was over by the other Bouillon and Broth at Safeway.
Megan Smith says
What temperature for the oven?
Karly Campbell says
This recipe doesn’t go in the oven.
Sage says
Can you use arrow root powder instead of xanthan gum?
Karly Campbell says
I’ve only made this as directed.
Deanna says
You can – I use arrowroot powder instead of xanthum gum all the time!
Dawna says
Has anyone converted this recipe to use an instant pot? Just trying to figure out the pressure cook time.
JERRY SPOONER says
I HAVE SEVERAL CANS OF PROGRESS FRENCH ONION SOUP IS THERE ANY WAY I COULD USE THIS IN TFERE
Karly Campbell says
Hi Jerry! I haven’t tried these using cans of soup, but you could try replacing the beef broth with the soup. Just know that it will likely change the nutrition info quite a bit. French onion soup usually has quite a few carbs in it.