Bourbon Gravy Pearl Onion Tenderloin Tips

A slow cooker full of tender beef tips, sweet pearl onions, and crinkle-cut carrots simmering in a rich bourbon-mushroom gravy—this is the dinner that practically makes itself.

Dump everything into the crockpot in the morning, go about the day, and come back to a bubbling, fragrant meal that tastes like it took hours of hands-on work. Serve it over fluffy white rice for a complete, comforting plate.

This recipe leans on the beauty of a slow cooker: a few quality ingredients, a long gentle simmer, and zero fuss. Beef tenderloin tips cook low and slow until they are spoon-tender, while the pearl onions turn sweet and the carrots soften just enough.

The bourbon-mushroom gravy does the heavy lifting, deepening in flavor as it mingles with the beef's juices and the butter. The result is a glossy, savory sauce that clings to every bite. Perfect for busy weeknights, this meal needs just 15 minutes of prep.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

The slow cooker's low, steady heat is ideal for beef tenderloin tips. It coaxes the meat to a fork-tender state without drying it out, while the enclosed environment traps steam and keeps everything moist.

The long simmer also allows the bourbon-mushroom gravy to meld with the natural juices from the beef, creating a rich, layered sauce.

Layering the ingredients in the order shown—beef first, then vegetables, then gravy and butter—ensures even cooking. The beef sits directly on the bottom, where it browns gently in the heat, while the vegetables steam and soften above. The butter melts into the gravy, adding a silky finish that coats the meat and vegetables beautifully.

Notes and substitutions

Beef tenderloin tips are the star here; they are already trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces, so there is no extra prep. If tenderloin tips are unavailable, sirloin tips or chuck stew meat work well—just cut them into similar-sized chunks.

The pearl onions add a mild, sweet note, and the crinkle-cut carrots bring color and a slight crunch that softens during cooking.

The bourbon-mushroom gravy is a time-saver; look for a quality jarred version in the supermarket. The butter is unsalted or salted—both work, but salted adds a touch of seasoning. For the rice, any long-grain white rice or even jasmine rice pairs well. If avoiding gluten, use a gluten-free gravy and ensure the rice is certified gluten-free.

• beef tenderloin tips: beef sirloin tips or chuck stew meat, cut into bite-size pieces
• bourbon-mushroom gravy: 1 1/2 cups beef gravy with 2 tablespoons bourbon and 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• pearl onions: 1 medium yellow onion, cut into wedges
• crinkle-cut carrots: 2 medium carrots, sliced into rounds

Equipment

• slow cooker (6-quart)
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• serving spoon
• ladle