Ingredients:
2 lbs stew meat (beef tips)
1 can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 packet brown gravy mix
1 envelope beefy onion soup mix
1 can of water (use the empty cream of mushroom soup can for measurement)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 300°F (150°C). This low and slow cooking method is key to making the meat tender.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Use a 13×9 inch baking pan. This size is ideal for the amount of meat and ensures even cooking.
Combine Ingredients: In the baking dish, combine the stew meat, cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy mix, and beefy onion soup mix. Add one can of water – using the empty cream of mushroom soup can ensures the right amount and helps get every last bit of soup into the dish.
Mix Well: Stir everything together in the pan to ensure that the meat is well coated with the mixture. This step is crucial for flavor distribution.
Cover Tightly with Foil: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This traps the moisture and heat, ensuring that the meat cooks slowly and becomes tender.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 3 hours. The key here is to not peek during the cooking process. Opening the foil or the oven door releases steam and heat, which can affect the tenderness of the meat.
Serving: Once done, carefully remove the foil. Serve the beef tips with their rich gravy over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. The gravy created during the baking process is flavorful and complements the sides well.
Optional Additions: For added nutrition and flavor, consider adding mushrooms, onions, or carrots to the baking dish before cooking.
Tips:
Quality of Meat: Choosing good-quality stew meat is important. While the slow cooking process tenderizes the meat, starting with quality beef tips makes a difference in the final dish.
No Peeking: It’s tempting to check on the dish, but keeping the oven closed ensures the meat cooks perfectly.
Sides: While mashed potatoes or noodles are traditional, feel free to experiment with different sides like rice, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
This “No Peek Beef Tips” recipe is a fantastic example of comfort food that is both delicious and easy to prepare. Enjoy your meal!
