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These Slow Cooker Coca Cola Beef Tips are rich, tender, and simmered all day in a savory-sweet gravy that’s perfect over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, an easy comfort dinner my whole family loves.

There is something about beef tips and gravy that just feels like a Sunday dinner, even if it’s a random Tuesday.

This recipe started as one of those “what do I have in the pantry?” dinners. I had stew meat in the fridge, a can of Coca Cola sitting on the counter, and two boys already asking what was for dinner before lunchtime. Dean loves anything that goes over mashed potatoes. Sam is all about extra gravy. Van? He mostly cares that it’s soft and easy to eat. And Daniel will never complain about a hearty beef dinner.

So I threw it together, hoping for the best.

By dinnertime, the house smelled incredible. That rich, savory aroma with just a little sweetness in the background, it reminded me of those old-school comfort meals my mom used to make. When I lifted the lid and stirred the beef, it was completely fork-tender and coated in thick, glossy gravy.

Now this one is in regular rotation.

Dean piles his high over mashed potatoes. Sam asks for “extra sauce, please.” Van picks out the softest pieces and happily eats them without a fight (which is honestly the biggest win). And Daniel always says it tastes like something that took way more effort than it actually did.

That’s what I love about slow cooker meals like this. Ten minutes of prep in the morning, and dinner feels special. It’s cozy, it’s filling, and it makes the whole house feel warm.

What Is Slow Cooker Coca Cola Beef Tips?

Slow Cooker Coca Cola Beef Tips are tender chunks of beef slowly cooked in a savory gravy made from cola, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, and seasonings. The Coca Cola adds subtle sweetness and helps tenderize the meat, while the soup and gravy mixes create a rich, flavorful sauce.

It’s simple, comforting, and incredibly satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Minimal prep time

• Deep, rich flavor

• Sweet and savory balance

• Fork-tender beef

• Family-friendly

• Perfect over mashed potatoes

When to Serve This Recipe

• Cozy weeknight dinners

• Sunday family meals

• Cold-weather comfort food nights

• Potluck gatherings

• When you want a hands-off dinner

Ingredients

2 pounds beef stew meat
Stew meat is affordable and becomes incredibly tender in the slow cooker. You can also cube a chuck roast if you prefer more control over the size.

2 tablespoons butter
Used for searing. It adds richness and helps develop flavor on the beef before slow cooking.

1 large onion, thinly sliced
Adds natural sweetness and melts into the gravy as it cooks.

2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh garlic gives depth and savory flavor.

1 packet brown gravy mix
This builds the base of the gravy quickly and gives that classic comfort-food taste.

1 packet onion soup mix
Adds concentrated savory flavor and seasoning.

1 cup Coca Cola (not diet)
Regular cola adds subtle sweetness and helps tenderize the beef. Diet won’t give the same result.

1 cup beef broth
Balances the sweetness and keeps the sauce savory and rich.

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Adds depth and umami.

1 teaspoon onion powder
Boosts onion flavor without overpowering.

1 teaspoon garlic powder
Enhances the garlic flavor throughout the sauce.

Salt and black pepper, to taste
Always adjust at the end since soup mixes contain salt.

Fresh parsley (optional)
Adds a little color and freshness before serving.

How to Make Slow Cooker Coca Cola Beef Tips

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter.

2. Add the beef tips in batches and sear until browned on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per batch. You’re building flavor here, not cooking them through.

3. Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker.

4. Scatter the sliced onion and minced garlic over the beef.

5. In a bowl, whisk together the brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, Coca Cola, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder until smooth.

6. Pour the sauce over the beef and onions, stirring gently to coat.

7. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.

8. If you prefer a thicker gravy, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir into the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 15 more minutes.

9. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

10. Garnish with parsley and serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Substitutions

• Beef stew meat → sirloin tips or cubed chuck roast

• Coca Cola → Pepsi or root beer

• Brown gravy mix → onion gravy mix

• Onion soup mix → homemade blend

• Beef broth → chicken broth in a pinch

Variations

• Mushroom Version: Add sliced mushrooms before cooking

• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes

• Creamy Style: Stir in cream cheese or sour cream at the end

• Whole Roast Version: Use a whole chuck roast and shred

Tips & Tricks

• Searing adds depth, don’t skip if possible

• Cut beef evenly for consistent cooking

• Use regular cola

• Taste before adding extra salt

• Let rest 10 minutes before serving for thicker gravy

FAQs

Does it taste sweet?
Not overly. The cola adds balance, not dessert-level sweetness.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes, it reheats beautifully.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, up to 2 months.

Will it be thick enough?
It thickens naturally, but you can use a cornstarch slurry if needed.

Serving Ideas

• Creamy mashed potatoes

• Buttered egg noodles

• White rice

• Toasted sandwich rolls

• Roasted green beans

Storage and Make Ahead Tips

• Store in airtight container up to 4 days

• Reheat gently on stovetop

• Add splash of broth if thick

• Freeze up to 2 months

Continue to Content

Slow Cooker Coca Cola Beef Tips

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

These Slow Cooker Coca Cola Beef Tips are the kind of comfort food that makes dinner feel extra special with hardly any work. The beef simmers all day in a rich sauce made from cola, onion soup mix, brown gravy mix, and a few simple seasonings. The cola adds just a touch of sweetness that balances perfectly with the savory gravy. By the time it’s done, the beef is fork-tender, the sauce is thick and flavorful, and the whole house smells amazing. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a cozy dinner everyone will love.

Print

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

1. In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium-high heat. 
2. 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. 
3. Place the meat in the slow cooker.
4. Stir in the sliced onion and minced garlic over the beef.
5. 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.
6. Pour the mixture evenly over the beef and onions in the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat.
7. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
8. 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.
9. Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Notes

• 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.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 372Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 612mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 51g

If your family loves an easy slow cooker beef dinner, these are the kind of cozy, set-it-and-forget-it meals that make busy days so much easier. They’re hearty, comforting, and always a hit at the dinner table — the kind of recipes you’ll come back to again and again.

• Slow Cooker Teriyaki Beef – Tender beef cooked low and slow in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce perfect over rice.

• Slow Cooker Pot Roast Stroganoff – A rich, creamy comfort meal with shredded beef and mushrooms served over noodles.

• Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Stew – Hearty beef and veggies simmered in a savory, family-favorite gravy.

• Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Shredded Beef – Flavorful shredded beef slow cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce and perfect for sandwiches.

• Slow Cooker Cranberry Roast Beef – Tender beef cooked in a savory-sweet sauce that’s perfect for family dinners or holidays.

• Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Ribs – Fall-apart tender ribs slow cooked in a rich BBQ sauce for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner.

Slow Cooker Coca Cola Beef Tips are one of those dinners that feel cozy and special without any real effort. It’s hearty, comforting, and guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds, especially if you serve it over mashed potatoes with plenty of gravy.

And in a house with three growing boys, that’s exactly the kind of dinner I need.