What Cut of Meat is Used for Beef Tips?

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Beef tips and gravy is the best comfort food ever. It has tender beef chunks in a rich brown gravy.

Serve this beef tip recipe over mashed potatoes or even rice or pasta for the perfect meal!

Beef tips are a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used in everything from hearty stews to kebabs and stir-fries. But despite their popularity, there’s often confusion about exactly what cut of meat beef tips come from. In this article, we’ll take a closer look and demystify where beef tips originate.

Defining Beef Tips

First, let’s clarify what we mean by “beef tips.” Beef tips refer to small, bite-sized pieces of beef, usually around 1-2 inches in size. They are tender and flavorful morsels that are perfect for braising skewering searing and more.

Beef tips are valued for their ability to:

  • Cook quickly while staying juicy and tender
  • Absorb flavors from sauces, marinades and spices
  • Add texture and heartiness to dishes like stews, curries and kebabs

So now that we know what beef tips are, let’s explore what cut of meat they come from.

Pinpointing the Source: Beef Tip Cut vs. Stew Meat

This is where things get a bit tricky. Technically, genuine beef tips come from a specific cut called the beef tip cut. However, in everyday usage, the term “beef tips” is also commonly used to refer to stew meat.

Beef Tip Cut

The beef tip cut comes from the tapered section at the small end of a beef tenderloin It offers supreme tenderness since it originates from this prized, luxury cut of beef

Genuine beef tips from the tip cut have a distinct shape – they are elongated and cylindrical in form. Their thin, compact shape allows them to cook up exceedingly tender.

Stew Meat

Stew meat is not from any single cut of beef. It typically comes from lean cuts like round or chuck. Stew meat is usually cut into 1-inch cubes from these less tender areas of the cow.

While not as tender as tips from the tenderloin, cubed stew meat can still produce delicious beef tips when braised long and slow. The low, moist heat helps break down its collagen for tenderness.

How Beef Tips Are Used

In recipes, beef tips are used in different ways depending on whether they come from the tender tip cut or are cubed stew meat.

Tenderloin Tips

The tender beef tip cut is best suited to quick cooking methods like sautéing, grilling or broiling. Their delicate texture would be lost if cooked for prolonged periods.

Tenderloin tips are often marinated then threaded onto skewers as part of kebabs or stir-fried in Asian dishes. Their tapered shape gives them a distinctive appearance.

Stew Meat Tips

When cut into 1-inch cubes, stew meat requires moist cooking methods and benefits from slower braising times. This allows the meat to become meltingly tender.

Cubed beef tips are ideal additions to stews, curries and gravies. The small size enables even cooking and meat that’s fork tender.

Buying Beef Tips

When purchasing beef tips, it helps to know exactly what type you need. Here are some tips:

  • For oven-ready beef tips from the tenderloin, look for uniformly-shaped pieces from the tapered end. They will cook quickly under dry heat.

  • For stew recipes, opt for packaged stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes. Pick a well-marbled option for the most flavor and moisture.

  • Ask your butcher for advice on the best cut and shape for your intended recipe. They can slice tenderloin tips or cube stew meat to order.

  • When in doubt, choose packaged “beef tips for stew” which are already cubed for braising. This provides reliably tender meat.

Preparing and Cooking Beef Tips

Beef tips are extremely versatile. Here are some top preparation and cooking methods:

  • Marinate – Soak beef tips in a marinade of oil, acids like vinegar or citrus, and flavorful herbs and spices. This infuses them with flavor and helps tenderize.

  • Sear/Sauté – Cook tenderloin tips over high heat to quickly brown the exterior while keeping the interior nice and red.

  • Braise – Slow cook cubed beef tips in a flavorful liquid like broth, wine or barbecue sauce until fall-apart tender.

  • Grill/Broil – Char tenderloin tips over a hot grill or under the broiler for caramelized, smoky flavor.

  • Skewer – Thread marinated beef tips onto skewers interspersed with vegetables and grill or broil.

  • Stir-fry – Toss tenderloin tips in the wok and stir-fry with aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger and soy.

Delicious Beef Tip Recipes to Try

Ready to put beef tips to delicious use? Here are some amazing beef tip recipes to try:

  • Beef Tip Skewers with Chimichurri
  • Asian Beef Tip Stir-Fry
  • Beef Tip Stew with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms
  • Beef Tip Fajitas with Peppers and Onions
  • Hungarian Beef Tip Paprikash
  • Beef Tip Crostini with Blue Cheese and Arugula

The possibilities are endless! With their versatility, flavor and tenderness, beef tips are one of the most useful and delicious ingredients to always keep on hand.

So now that you know exactly where beef tips come from and how to best use them, it’s time to grab some at the store and start cooking up some mouthwatering beef tip dishes tonight!

what cut of meat is used for beef tips

Ingredients for Tender Beef Tips

Beef Tips: Beef tips are usually the tender parts of the tenderloin top. Sirloin tips from bigger roasts are another type. These are often sold as “stew meat” or “beef tips.” ’ Cubed chuck roast is great in this recipe too.

Seasonings: The seasonings are simple, with onion, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce. If desired, you can add a couple of minced garlic cloves when cooking the onions.

Gravy: The beef tips are cooked in a combination of beef broth and onion soup. Once cooked, the mixture is thickened with a cornstarch slurry.

what cut of meat is used for beef tips

You Love These Beef Tips Because…

  • This recipe makes the beef extra tender and the brown gravy tastes great.
  • Slow roasting adds so much flavor.
  • This recipe is simple to make, but the food tastes great!
  • When compared to other cuts of beef, beef tips aren’t too expensive.
  • Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta noodles.

what cut of meat is used for beef tips

Most Tender Beef Tips and Gravy

FAQ

What is the best cut of meat for beef tips?

Sirloin or Tenderloin cuts are best for making beef tips on the stove top as they don’t require as much low and slow cooking to render down and tenderize. Tender Cuts of Meat: Sirloin, Flank, Ribeye, Tenderloin. Tougher Cuts of Meat: Chuck Roast, Rump Roast, Brisket.

What cut of beef is used for tips?

That being said, we should mention that while a steak tip is typically cut from sirloin, it may also be cut from flank steak, tenderloin tips, and parts of the round. The type of cut may also depend on which region of the country you’re visiting. For instance, on the east coast, we’re accustomed to sirloin tips.

What are beef tips called in the store?

Although its name suggests otherwise, this cut comes from the Round primal, and is found on the front end of the rear leg. Often fabricated into roasts, which are great when braised, but can also be cut into steaks or used for Ground Beef. Also known as Knuckle and formerly known as Round Tip.

Are beef tips the same at chuck roast?

Beef tips generally refer to sirloin tips (sometimes labeled “bavette” or “flap meat”). This cut can be hard to find, and it’s too easy to pick up similarly named roasts that end up tough because they have little fat or connective tissue. For the meatiest, most tender beef tips and gravy, opt for boneless beef chuck.

What kind of meat do you use for beef tips?

Stew meat. Beef tips are cut from larger cuts of meat. I like to use bite-size pieces of stew meat cuts, like cubed chuck roast, top or bottom round roast, or brisket. The connective tissue in these cuts breaks down during the low and slow cooking process, resulting in tender, mouthwatering meat. Flour. To thicken the gravy.

What type of meat is good for bones?

However, the type of meat that is best for the bones depends on the cooking method and cut of the meat. Lean meats such as chicken and fish are good options for bone health. Additionally, lean red meats such as beef and pork can also be beneficial for bones if cooked using healthy methods such as grilling or roasting.

Can you use a cut of beef to make tips?

But the increase in the number of recipes resulted in people using different beef cuts to make “real” beef tips rather than using the leftovers of the tenderloin. With this being said, it’s pretty clear that you can use a cut of beef to create tips, but we suggest using it from tenderloin, chuck roast, or sirloin.

What are beef tips used for?

Beef tips are small, bite-sized pieces of beef that are typically cut from larger, more tender cuts of meat. They are commonly used in stews, stir-fries, and kebabs due to their tenderness and ability to quickly absorb flavors during cooking. What cut of meat are beef tips?

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