If you are craving a hearty dinner that feels like steakhouse comfort food, these Steakhouse Beef Tips and Noodles are a great choice. Tender beef tips are seared until nicely browned, then simmered in a savory gravy made with beef broth, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, flour, and thyme.
The rich gravy is served over buttery wide egg noodles, creating a warm and satisfying meal that works beautifully for a family dinner. The beef develops a flavorful crust during the initial sear, while the gentle simmer helps the meat become tender and allows the sauce to thicken.
This recipe makes 4 generous servings and takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. It is simple enough for a weeknight but comforting enough for a Sunday dinner.
Serve it with steamed green beans, a crisp garden salad, or some crusty bread for soaking up the extra gravy.
Why You’ll Love This Beef Tips and Noodles Recipe
Rich Steakhouse Flavor at Home
The secret to the flavor starts with properly seared beef. Browning the beef before adding the gravy creates a deeper, more savory taste than simply simmering the meat from the beginning.
The browned bits left in the skillet also become part of the gravy, giving the sauce extra depth.
Tender Beef and Creamy-Tasting Gravy
The beef simmers gently in a savory broth mixture until tender. Flour thickens the liquid into a gravy that coats the beef and noodles beautifully.
You get plenty of comforting flavor without needing a complicated sauce.
Simple Ingredients
This recipe uses basic ingredients that are easy to find:
- Beef tips
- Wide egg noodles
- Beef broth
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic
- Flour
- Butter
- Thyme
There is nothing complicated about the ingredient list, but the combination creates a surprisingly rich dinner.
Perfect for Family Dinner
The recipe makes four hearty servings, making it a convenient option for a family meal. The buttery noodles also help make the dish approachable for both adults and kids.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Beef and Gravy
- 2 pounds beef tips, cubed
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Oil, for searing
Choose beef tips that are reasonably uniform in size. Similar-sized pieces cook more evenly and make it easier to avoid overcooking some pieces while waiting for others.
For the Noodles
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
The wide egg noodles are ideal because their shape gives the gravy plenty of surface area to cling to.
How to Make Steakhouse Beef Tips and Noodles
1. Prepare the Beef
Pat the cubed beef tips dry with paper towels.
This step is important because excess moisture can prevent the beef from developing a good sear.
Season the beef generously with salt and black pepper.
Try to season the pieces evenly so every bite has plenty of flavor.
2. Heat the Skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.
Allow the oil to heat before adding the beef. You want the skillet hot enough that the beef begins browning as soon as it hits the surface.
3. Sear the Beef Tips
Add the beef to the hot skillet.
Do not overcrowd the pan. If necessary, sear the beef in batches.
Cook until the pieces are nicely browned on the outside, turning them so multiple sides develop a flavorful crust.
The goal at this stage is primarily to brown the exterior rather than cook the beef completely through.
Once browned, transfer the beef to a plate and set it aside.
4. Add the Garlic and Flour
Reduce the heat slightly.
Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook briefly until fragrant.
Sprinkle in the 2 tablespoons of flour.
Stir the flour into the garlic and the flavorful drippings left in the pan.
Cook briefly while stirring. This helps incorporate the flour before the liquid is added.
5. Make the Gravy
Slowly pour in the 2 cups of beef broth, whisking as you add it.
Continue whisking until the flour is incorporated and the mixture becomes smooth.
Add the 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
The Worcestershire sauce adds savory depth, while thyme gives the gravy a gentle herbal flavor.
6. Return the Beef
Place the seared beef tips back into the skillet.
Stir gently so the beef is coated with the gravy.
Reduce the heat to low and allow everything to simmer gently for about 15 to 20 minutes.
The gravy should gradually thicken while the beef becomes more tender.
Avoid a vigorous boil. A gentle simmer is better for maintaining the texture of the beef.
7. Cook the Egg Noodles
While the beef simmers, cook the 12 ounces of wide egg noodles according to the package directions.
Cook them until al dente rather than very soft.
Drain the noodles thoroughly.
Do not rinse them. The natural starch on the surface helps the butter and gravy cling to the noodles.
8. Butter the Noodles
Return the cooked noodles to the pot or place them in a large serving bowl.
Add the 2 tablespoons of salted butter and toss until the noodles are evenly coated.
The butter adds richness and keeps the noodles from sticking together.
9. Combine and Serve
Spoon the buttery noodles into bowls.
Top generously with the beef tips and rich gravy.
Add a little fresh parsley if desired for color.
Serve immediately while the beef and gravy are hot.
My Best Tips for Tender Beef Tips
Don’t Skip the Sear
A good sear gives the beef its deepest flavor.
Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the meat, and avoid moving the beef constantly while it cooks. Let each side develop some color before turning.
Avoid Overcrowding
Too much beef in the skillet at once can cause the temperature to drop.
Instead of browning, the meat may begin releasing liquid and steaming.
If your skillet is not large enough to hold the beef comfortably in one layer, sear it in batches.
Pat the Beef Dry
Dry beef browns much better than wet beef.
Use paper towels to remove surface moisture before seasoning and searing.
Keep the Gravy at a Gentle Simmer
Once the beef returns to the skillet, keep the heat low.
A gentle simmer allows the sauce to thicken while giving the beef time to become tender.
Don’t Rinse the Noodles
The starch left on the cooked egg noodles helps the butter and gravy stick to them.
Simply drain them well and toss them with butter.
Use a Cast-Iron Skillet if Available
A heavy skillet, especially cast iron, holds heat well and is excellent for searing beef.
A regular large skillet also works perfectly well as long as it gets hot enough before the meat is added.
Easy Variations
Creamy Beef Tips and Noodles
For a stroganoff-style variation, stir 1/4 cup sour cream into the finished gravy after removing the skillet from direct heat.
Stir gently until incorporated.
Do not boil the sauce after adding sour cream.
Mushroom Beef Tips
Add 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms to the skillet.
Brown the mushrooms after searing the beef, then continue with the garlic, flour, broth, and remaining ingredients.
The mushrooms add an earthy flavor that works especially well with the beef gravy.
Garlic Herb Beef Tips
Increase the garlic slightly or add a small amount of dried parsley or Italian seasoning to the gravy.
This creates a more pronounced herb flavor without changing the basic recipe.
Peppery Beef Tips
If you enjoy a stronger pepper flavor, add additional freshly ground black pepper to the beef and gravy.
The pepper pairs particularly well with the rich beef broth.
How to Fix Common Problems
Why Is My Beef Tough?
Beef can become tough when it is cooked too aggressively.
Keep the gravy at a gentle simmer and give the meat enough time to tenderize.
If the beef is still firm after the initial 15–20 minutes, continue simmering gently and check it periodically.
Why Is My Gravy Too Thick?
If the gravy becomes thicker than you want, gradually whisk in a small amount of additional beef broth or water.
Add just a little at a time until you reach your preferred consistency.
Why Is My Gravy Too Thin?
Let the sauce simmer uncovered for a few additional minutes.
This allows excess liquid to evaporate and gives the flour more time to thicken the gravy.
Why Is My Gravy Lumpy?
The flour may not have been incorporated properly.
Whisk the gravy vigorously while adding the broth. If necessary, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer before returning the beef to the pan.
Why Is the Dish Too Salty?
Worcestershire sauce and salted butter both contribute salt.
If the finished dish tastes too salty, adding a little unsalted broth or water can dilute the flavor. Avoid adding additional salt until you taste the completed gravy.
What to Serve With Beef Tips and Noodles
This is already a hearty meal, so simple sides work best.
Try serving it with:
- Steamed green beans
- Roasted broccoli
- Garden salad
- Glazed carrots
- Roasted vegetables
- Crusty French bread
- Dinner rolls
Green vegetables provide a fresh contrast to the rich gravy and buttery noodles.
A piece of crusty bread is also useful for scooping up any gravy left in the bowl.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the beef and gravy ahead of time and refrigerate them in an airtight container.
When ready to serve, reheat the beef and gravy gently on the stovetop.
It is best to cook the noodles closer to serving time because egg noodles can become softer after sitting in sauce.
If you are preparing this meal for several days of lunches, keep the noodles and beef mixture separate when possible.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to airtight containers.
Refrigerate the beef, gravy, and noodles.
For the best texture, store the noodles separately from the gravy if you expect to have leftovers.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If the gravy has thickened considerably in the refrigerator, add a small splash of beef broth or water while reheating.
Stir gently and heat until the beef and gravy are hot throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of beef is best for beef tips?
The source recipe calls for 2 pounds of cubed beef tips. Sirloin or ribeye tips are mentioned as good choices because they can provide a tender result when properly cooked.
Can I use another type of noodle?
Yes. Wide egg noodles are the classic choice for this recipe, but another short or medium pasta can work if that is what you have available.
Can I make this recipe without Worcestershire sauce?
The Worcestershire sauce adds savory depth to the gravy. If you do not have it, the flavor will be somewhat different, but the recipe can still be prepared without it.
Can I add mushrooms?
Yes. Add 8 ounces of sliced cremini mushrooms for a mushroom-rich variation.
How do I make the beef more tender?
Avoid overcrowding the skillet during searing and keep the gravy at a gentle simmer. If the beef is still tough, continue simmering gently for additional time rather than increasing the heat dramatically.
Should I rinse the egg noodles?
No. The recipe recommends leaving the natural starch on the noodles because it helps the butter and gravy cling to their surface.
Can I make this creamy?
Yes. Stir 1/4 cup sour cream into the finished gravy for a creamy, stroganoff-inspired version.
Can I freeze beef tips and noodles?
The beef and gravy generally make a better freezer component than the cooked noodles. For the best texture, prepare fresh noodles when reheating the frozen beef and gravy.
Steakhouse Beef Tips and Noodles at a Glance
Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Cook Time: About 35 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Oven Temperature: None required
Main Ingredients: Beef tips, egg noodles, beef broth, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, flour, thyme, butter
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Category: Dinner, Comfort Food, Beef
Final Thoughts
These Steakhouse Beef Tips and Noodles are exactly the kind of comforting dinner that works when you want something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen.
The key is to build flavor in stages. Start by drying and seasoning the beef, then give it a proper sear. Use the flavorful drippings in the skillet to build the garlic and flour base for the gravy, then slowly add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
Once the beef returns to the pan, keep everything at a gentle simmer. This gives the sauce time to thicken and allows the beef to become tender.
Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles until al dente and toss them with butter. Spoon the rich beef tips and gravy over the noodles, add a little parsley if desired, and serve while everything is hot.
With simple ingredients, a straightforward cooking process, and plenty of savory flavor, this is a recipe worth keeping in your regular dinner rotation.