Beef Tips and Tots

Beef tips, while not commonly found on menus outside the Northeast, are a delicious, hearty comfort food. Many of us have tried them, though perhaps under a different name like "beef stew." The key difference is in the cuts of meat and how they are prepared. Beef tips usually come from smaller trimmings, while stew meat tends to be from larger cuts. These smaller cuts, often tougher and leaner, can still transform into a melt-in-your-mouth experience when cooked properly. The trick is to cook them slowly, allowing the meat to break down and become tender, while incorporating enough fat to create a rich sauce. In this recipe, the result is a comforting dish served over crispy potato nuggets. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 pounds beef round steak
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
• teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 (28-ounce) package frozen bite-size potato nuggets (such as Tater Tots)

Directions

1. Step 1: Slice the beef into -inch strips, then cut each strip into smaller "tips" at an angle. Season the beef with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until it shimmers. Add the beef, arranging it in a single layer. Let the meat sear for 3 to 5 minutes until browned, then turn and brown the other side.
3. Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium, then add tomato paste, garlic, and butter. Stir until the butter melts. Once the butter is melted, sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.
4. Step 4: Pour in the beef broth and raise the heat to high. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and cook for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the beef is starting to become tender.
5. Step 5: While the beef cooks, preheat your oven to 425F (220C). Uncover the skillet and increase the heat to medium. Let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the beef becomes fully tender, about 30 minutes.
6. Step 6: While the beef simmers, bake the frozen potato nuggets in the preheated oven according to the package instructions, usually 20 to 25 minutes, until crispy and heated through.
7. Step 7: Taste the beef and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
8. Step 8: Serve the beef tips immediately over the hot, crispy potato nuggets. Enjoy!

Chef's Notes

This recipe works with any similar cut of beef. If you don't have tomato paste, you can substitute it with tomato sauce or ketchup. Feel free to adjust the amount of butter based on how much fat the beef renders out during cooking. If you prefer, you can replace the beef broth with water mixed with high-quality beef base according to the package instructions.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 750
• Total Fat: 45g (57% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 15g (77% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 121mg (40% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 985mg (43% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrate: 54g (20% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 5g (18% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 2g
• Protein: 43g (85% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 4mg (4% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 19mg (1% Daily Value)
• Iron: 4mg (21% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 997mg (21% Daily Value)