Beef & Gravy Over Rice (A Cheap, Cozy Southern Supper)

When you need supper to be filling, affordable, and comforting — beef and gravy over rice never lets you down.

This is an old-fashioned meal that doesn’t rely on fancy ingredients or complicated steps. It’s the kind of dish farm families have leaned on forever: tender beef simmered low and slow, rich gravy spooned generously over hot rice, and everyone leaving the table satisfied.

It’s budget food done right—and it tastes like home!

Why We Love Beef & Gravy Over Rice

  • Uses inexpensive cuts of beef

  • Feeds a family without stretching the grocery bill

  • Cozy, comforting, and filling

  • Great for leftovers

  • Easy to adapt for stovetop or slow cooker

When groceries are high and schedules are full, meals like this are a blessing.

Ingredients

  • 1½ lb beef stew meat or sirloin tip, cut into chunks

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 2 tbsp oil or butter

  • 2 cups beef broth (plus more if needed)

  • 1 packet brown gravy mix

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Garlic powder (optional)

Close up picture of ingredients for beef tips and rice over gravy, the perfect budget friendly recipe for busy weeknight dinners.

This is really all you need to make this comforting Beef Tips & Gravy Over Rice recipe.

For Serving:

  • Cooked white rice (About 6 cups of cooked rice yields the perfect beef + gravy + rice ratio)

How to Make Beef & Gravy Over Rice

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat oil or butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Season beef lightly with salt and pepper, then brown on all sides. Don’t rush this step — browning builds flavor.

Step 2: Add Onion

Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook until softened, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Simmer

Pour in beef broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook 45–90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender.

(Add more broth if needed to keep the beef from drying out.)

Step 4: Make the Gravy

Stir your brown gravy packet directly into the simmering liquid. Simmer uncovered 5–10 minutes until thickened. It’s really that easy to make an amazing gravy.

Step 5: Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Spoon beef and gravy generously over hot rice and serve immediately.

Overhead shot of beef tips and gravy in a Dutch oven served over rice, it's the most cozy and amazing use of beef stew meat.

Beef tips + rice = the kind of comfort that fixes everything.

Crockpot Option (Great for Busy Days)

  1. Brown beef and onion in a skillet.

  2. Transfer to slow cooker.

  3. Add beef broth.

  4. Cook on LOW 6–8 hours.

  5. Thicken with gravy mix before serving.

Farmhouse Tip 🍲

If you want extra-rich gravy, add:

  • A splash of Worcestershire sauce

  • A pat of butter at the end

Little touches go a long way with simple food.

What to Serve With Beef & Gravy

  • Steamed green beans

  • Buttered corn

  • Simple side salad

  • Biscuits if you’re extra hungry

But honestly? Rice + gravy is enough to make everyone happy.

Storage & Leftovers

  • Refrigerator: 3–4 days

  • Freezer: Up to 2 months (freeze beef & gravy separately from rice)

Leftovers reheat beautifully and make a great next-day lunch.

beef tips, beef tips and rice, beef tips and gravy, beef stew meat recipes, Southern comfort food, easy dinner, budget friendly recipe, weeknight dinner
dinner
American
Yield: 6
Author: Erin Glover
Beef & Gravy Over Rice (A Cheap, Cozy Southern Supper)

Beef & Gravy Over Rice (A Cheap, Cozy Southern Supper)

Tender beef tips simmered in rich, savory gravy and spooned over fluffy rice—this cheap, cozy Southern supper tastes like home.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 1 H & 15 MTotal time: 1 H & 25 M
Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat oil or butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Season beef lightly with salt and pepper, then brown on all sides. Don’t rush this step — browning builds flavor.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook until softened, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Pour in beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook 45–90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender.
  5. Add more broth or water if needed to keep the beef from drying out.
  6. Stir your brown gravy packet directly into the simmering liquid. Simmer uncovered 5–10 minutes until thickened. It’s really that easy to make an amazing gravy.
  7. Spoon beef and gravy generously over hot rice and serve immediately.
Crock Pot Version
  1. Brown beef and onion in a skillet in oil or butter as outlined above.
  2. Transfer to slow cooker.
  3. Add beef broth.
  4. Cook on LOW 6–8 hours.
  5. Thicken with gravy mix before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

222

Fat

10 g

Sat. Fat

4 g

Carbs

5 g

Fiber

0 g

Net carbs

5 g

Sugar

1 g

Protein

27 g

Sodium

426 mg

Cholesterol

80 mg

A Simple Supper That Stretches Far

This is the kind of meal that reminds me you don’t need much to feed people well — just good ingredients, a little time, and a whole lot of love.

From our ranch kitchen to yours, I hope this beef and gravy finds a regular spot on your table.

Want More Budget-Friendly Farmhouse Meals?

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