Crock Pot French Onion Beef

This Crock Pot French Onion Beef Tips recipe is all about tender beef simmered low and slow in a rich, brown onion gravy that tastes like a cozy French bistro in your own kitchen. It’s simple to throw together and delivers big on flavor, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or a meal to impress without the fuss.

I started making this on busy weekends when I wanted something comforting but hands-off. Now it’s a goto whenever I want a meal that tastes like I spent hours but actually takes just minutes to prep.

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil for searing: – adds flavor and locks in juices avocado or olive oil work well too
• Beef stew meat: – chuck or round cuts are budgetfriendly and become tender with slow cooking
• Ground black pepper: – fresh cracked is best for a warm spice note
• Yellow onion sliced thin: – provides sweetness and depth white onion can substitute if needed
• Low sodium Au Jus sauce mix: – uses savory beef base without overwhelming saltiness
• Beef onion soup mix: – for that signature onion flavor low sodium preferred to control salt
• Canned French Onion Soup: – choose low sodium if possible to balance seasoning
• Unsalted butter slices: – enriches the sauce and adds creaminess
• Shredded Mozzarella and Provolone cheese: – melts beautifully for a gooey finish can swap Gruyere if you like authentic French onion soup

Instructions

Sear the beef:

Heat a heavy bottomed skillet over mediumhigh heat until hot. Pour in vegetable oil and swirl so the skillet is evenly coated. Add beef stew meat in smaller chunks and season with ground black pepper. Let the beef sear undisturbed for one to two minutes until the meat easily lifts and has a golden crust. Flip and repeat on the other side, browning but not cooking through. Remove from heat.

Prepare the crockpot:

Spray the bottom of your crockpot lightly with nonstick spray. Spread the sliced onions evenly across the base, creating an onion bed for the beef.

Add the seared beef:

Place the seared beef tips evenly on top of the onions in the crockpot. Sprinkle the Au Jus sauce mix across the beef, ensuring good coverage.

Season with soup mix:

Next, scatter the Beefy Onion Soup Mix over the Au Jus seasoning. Pour the canned French Onion Soup slowly over all the ingredients in the crockpot.

Add butter and cook:

Arrange the slices of unsalted butter on top of the beef and soup mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or until the beef is fork tender.

Add cheese:

About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, sprinkle the shredded Mozzarella and Provolone cheese evenly over the tender beef and gravy. Replace the crockpot lid to allow the cheese to melt fully before serving.

My favorite ingredient is definitely the combination of onion soup mix and Au Jus seasoning. It’s what creates that comforting gravy that clings to every bite of beef. I remember making this for my family after a long day and watching everyone’s eyes light up with the first forkful—that moment made every extra minute in the kitchen worth it.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through. For longer storage, this dish freezes beautifully in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep the beef tender.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find low sodium Au Jus or onion soup mix, try making your own blend of onion powder, beef bouillon, garlic powder, and herbs to control salt levels. For cheese, Gruyere is classic but any mild melting cheese like Monterey Jack or aged cheddar can work. If you prefer, switch beef stew meat to chuck roast cut into chunks or flat iron steak for a bit more flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these beef tips over fluffy white rice, buttery egg noodles, or rich mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of the gravy. Add a side of green beans steamed with a bit of garlic or roasted carrots for color and sweetness. A slice of crusty bread or warm dinner rolls rounds out the meal perfectly to mop up the sauce.

This recipe turns humble ingredients into a family favorite that tastes like you spent hours slaving away but takes very little of your time. Give it a try on your next slow cooker day—you may just find it joins your regular dinner rotation.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I cook the beef tips in the oven instead of a crock pot?

Yes, you can bake them at 400°F in an oven-safe dish covered with foil for about an hour until tender.

→ Is searing the beef tips necessary?

Searing adds flavor and color but can be skipped if short on time; the slow cooking will still make the beef tender.

→ What are good alternative cuts of beef for this dish?

Chuck roast, round steak, or flat iron steak work well, offering tender results with budget-friendly options.

→ What side dishes pair well with the French onion beef tips?

Mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, green beans, or crusty bread are excellent choices to complement this dish.

→ How can I reduce saltiness in the dish?

Use low or no sodium soup mixes and seasonings, or make homemade onion soup mix to better control salt levels.

→ How should leftovers be stored?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.