Slow-Cooker Ranch Au Jus Beef Tips & Gravy

Ingredients

For the beef

• 2½–3 lb (1.1–1.4 kg) beef chuck roast, cut into 2–3-inch chunks
  Beef stew meat can also be used.

• 1 packet (about 1 oz/28 g) au jus gravy mix

• 1 packet (about 1 oz/28 g) dry onion soup mix

• 1 packet (about 1 oz/28 g) ranch seasoning

• ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth or water

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, preferably cut into pieces

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp dried thyme, optional

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, optional

• 1–2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for serving

For the mashed potatoes

• 2½–3 lb (1.1–1.4 kg) potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 4 tbsp (56 g) butter

• ½–¾ cup (120–180 ml) warm milk or cream

• ¾ tsp salt, or to taste

• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the beef.
   Pat the beef pieces dry. Season lightly with pepper and garlic powder. Go easy on salt because the seasoning packets are already quite salty.

2. Load the slow cooker.
   Put the beef into a 6-quart slow cooker.

3. Add the seasoning.
   Sprinkle the au jus mix, onion soup mix, and ranch seasoning evenly over the beef.

4. Add liquid and butter.
   Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce if using. Place the butter pieces over the top.

5. Slow cook.
   Cover and cook:

   • LOW: 6–8 hours, until the beef is very tender, or

   • HIGH: 3–4 hours.

   Avoid repeatedly opening the lid while cooking.

6. Make the gravy.
   Once the beef is tender, gently stir the meat through the cooking juices. The beef should have produced plenty of rich gravy. If you want it thicker, transfer about ½ cup of the liquid to a bowl, whisk in 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water, then stir it back into the slow cooker. Cook uncovered for another 10–15 minutes.

7. Make mashed potatoes.
   Boil the potatoes in salted water for about 15–20 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain well. Mash with butter, warm milk/cream, salt and pepper until smooth.

8. Serve.
   Spoon creamy mashed potatoes onto each plate, top with the tender beef and plenty of the au-jus gravy. Finish with chopped parsley.

Nutrition — approximate

For 1 of 8 servings of beef/gravy + mashed potatoes:

Nutrition varies considerably with the beef cut, butter amount, seasoning brands, and portion size. The seasoning packets make this dish particularly high in sodium.

Helpful substitutions

• Lower sodium: Use reduced-sodium beef broth and homemade onion/ranch seasoning, and use only part of each packet.

• More vegetables: Add carrots, mushrooms, or onions during the last 3–4 hours of cooking.

• No dairy: Use olive oil or dairy-free butter and unsweetened plant milk for the potatoes.

• Extra-rich gravy: Brown the beef in a hot skillet before putting it in the slow cooker. This adds a deeper roasted flavor.