Slow Cooker Coca Cola Beef Tips
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 cup Coca Cola
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium-high heat.
- Add beef tips in batches and sear until browned on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per batch. You are not looking to cook through just brown.
- Place the meat in the slow cooker.
- Stir in the sliced onion and minced garlic over the beef.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, Coca Cola, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the beef and onions in the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
- Thicken if needed: If you want a thicker gravy, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water, stir into the slow cooker, and cook on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- Brown the beef first: It’s optional, but searing adds a richer flavor.
- Don’t use diet soda: Regular cola gives the right sweetness and depth.
- Liquid level: Stick with ½ cup broth + 1 cup cola for a thicker gravy, but you can add a little extra broth if you want more sauce.
- Cut beef evenly: Similar-sized chunks cook at the same rate and shred evenly.
- Taste before serving: Onion soup and gravy mixes can be salty, so add extra salt at the end if needed.
- Make it creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for a velvety sauce.
Substitutions
- Beef stew meat → use sirloin tips, chuck roast cut into chunks, or even venison.
- Coca Cola → Pepsi or root beer (root beer gives a slightly different sweetness).
- Brown gravy mix → onion gravy mix or au jus mix.
- Onion soup mix → homemade blend (onion powder + dried onion flakes + bouillon).
- Beef broth → chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even water in a pinch.
Variations
- Mushroom Beef Tips: Add 8 oz sliced mushrooms before cooking for extra richness.
- Spicy Kick: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne.
- Creamy Cola Beef Tips: Add ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese just before serving for a creamy gravy.
- Slow Cooker Cola Pot Roast: Keep the cut whole instead of cubing, then shred before serving.
- Open-Faced Sandwiches: Serve the beef and gravy over thick bread slices instead of potatoes.
Private Notes
Servings: 6 servings
