Simple barbecue steak tips is an easy stove-top steak recipe made with bite-sized pieces of sirloin steak or beef roast that goes great with rice or mashed potatoes. The beef tips cook up in the best gravy for a tasty weeknight dinner in less than 30 minutes.
Are you looking to create something unique and delicious for dinner tonight? Then look no further than this barbecue tip steak recipe! This dish is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its smoky, savory flavors.
Whether you’re looking for a meal using a leaner cut of beef or something with lots of bold flavors, this classic dish has something for everyone!
Not only is it easy to make but it can also be customized using various ingredient substitutions and additions. From low-sodium sauces to hot sauce and teriyaki sauce – there are so many ways to create a unique skillet steak that will have your family asking for more!
We never have any leftovers and you won't either! This simple pan steak recipe disappears so quickly and is total comfort food to me. Try this flavorful dish the next time you're looking for a creative way to serve steak.
If you love this easy skillet recipe, you might also try this Sausage, Pepper, and Rice Skillet.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- A crowd-pleaser! This delicious steak dinner with tender chunks of steak cooked in a flavorful onion and barbecue sauce pleases even the pickiest eaters.
- Quick and easy. It's a one-skillet dinner that needs very little prep and is ready in less than 30 minutes.
- It's a budget-friendly comfort dinner perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Simple ingredients. With just a few basic pantry ingredients, you can have this dish ready in minutes.
- Hearty and satisfying. I love making these barbecue sirloin tips with mashed potatoes or rice, especially on days when you just need something warm and delicious in your stomach. This recipe definitely hits the spot!
Ingredients
This recipe only uses simple ingredients that are readily available at your local grocery store.
The main ingredients are listed below, but you can find the complete ingredient list along with the amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Sliced steak: Buy steak pre-sliced to save some time or for a more budget-friendly option buy it and cut it yourself. See more below on what type of steak to buy.
- Onion: Any onions work but I'm a huge fan of using sweet onions.
- Chicken broth: The base of the sauce that cooks and seasons the beef tips. You can also use vegetable broth or beef broth.
- Barbecue sauce: Adds plenty of zestiness to the savory sauce that cooks the steak. Pick your favorite variety.
- Paprika and garlic: For more depth of flavor in the sauce.
- Brown sugar: Just a touch for a bit more sweetness.
- Hot sauce: Along with the bbq sauce, it adds a bit more spice to the savory sauce.
- Butter: For cooking the steak.
What are steak tips?
They're steak that is cut into chunks or pieces and usually cooked in a skillet or the oven.
Frequently, I make sirloin steak tips but round, ribeye, and flank steak will also work beautifully. Even more expensive cuts such as New York Strip, beef tenderloin, or filet mignon will work when cooking beef tips.
I don't usually use these more expensive cuts of steak to make this recipe. I tend to use them for my Brandy Cream Filet Mignon or Baked Garlic Balsamic Steak.
Another alternative is buying a small roast or roasts on sale, cutting them up, and using them to make this weeknight dinner winner whenever you want!
I always think, "why spend money unnecessarily?", and Ken, my husband, loves hearing me say that!
Substitutions and Variations
- Spicy: If you like it spicy, add a teaspoon of chili pepper flakes, jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the sauce mixture to imbue heat into the dish. I will also occasionally add a teaspoon of homemade hot pepper sauce.
- Skip the Beef: Chicken breast or thighs, pork tenderloin, pork chops, pork roast cut into cubes, shrimp, or salmon bites cooked exactly the same works well. Adjust your cook time accordingly.
- No Onions: Scallions (green onions), shallot, or leeks make a great substitute.
- No Butter: You can use neutral vegetable oil instead.
- Low Salt: Choose low-sodium varieties of barbecue sauce and broth to reduce the overall salt content of your dish.
- Want More Flavor? A splash of teriyaki, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or Worcestershire sauce to the sauce for additional depth of flavor.
- Don't like barbecue sauce? Use a teriyaki sauce instead.
- More Seasoning: Add some garlic powder, cumin, oregano, rosemary, or chili powder for additional depth of flavor to your sauce mixture.
How to Cook Steak Tips
This simple barbecue steak tip recipe is so easy to make. It only takes a few steps, and you're all done. The broad strokes are below, but you can find the complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Cook the onions until lightly browned and tender.
- Season the steaks with salt and pepper.
- Cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Add more oil to the skillet and cook the steak pieces until they're done. When cooked, remove from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the browned onions, broth, brown sugar, paprika, garlic, hot sauce, and barbecue sauce for about four minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Add the butter to the sauce to thicken it.
- Add the steak to the skillet with the sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve them up with your favorite side dishes! It goes great with rice and mashed potatoes which soak up all the yummy gravy from the beef tips.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover steak tips in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Store in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Make Ahead: Because this recipe freezes so well, it's an excellent make-ahead meal. Make extra portions, freeze them, and then serve them for dinner when ready. I prefer to slightly undercook the steak a bit so it won't be overcooked when reheated.
Reheat: Defrost frozen steak tips in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the beef sirloin tip in barbecue sauce in a skillet over low heat until heated through. Add more broth if needed to thin out the sauce.
What to Serve with Steak Tips
If you are looking for an easy steak and potato recipe for dinner you have come to the right place. This recipe is perfect with mashed, boiled, roasted, or baked potatoes. Any potato will definitely do.
- My favorite potato recipes for steak tips are these Crispy Oven Smashed Red Potatoes, this Supreme Mashed Potato Casserole, or this Cheesy Potato Casserole with Sliced Potatoes.
- Stuff it into a potato. Bake a potato then scoop a bit of the cooked potato up and out of it. Next, dump a spoonful of this wonderful steak or beef and gravy all over it. All I can say is so good.
- Don't want potatoes? No problem! It goes great with rice, quinoa, or couscous.
- Add a veggie. Anything goes but I especially enjoy this Easy Sweet Green Beans recipe or Instant Pot Asparagus.
- For extra flavor, you can also top the steak with sauteed onions or baby bella mushrooms.
- If you have leftovers, they make great sandwiches. Simply heat up the steak and place it between two slices of toasted bread!
👉 For more serving ideas, check out this awesome list of sides we've compiled for you. Any of these sides will work great as well!
Tips
- Cut the steak into similar-sized pieces so that they will cook evenly.
- Choose a high-quality cut of steak like sirloin. It has the perfect amount of marbling for flavor but cooks up tenderly in a short amount of time.
- Make sure your pan is hot before cooking. I usually give it five minutes to heat up. The oil should shimmer or you can add a drop of water to the pan and if it dances the pan is ready.
- Season the steak tips generously with salt and pepper for flavor but also to help prevent it from drying out.
- Adjust the sauce to your tastes. When adding the sauce ingredients, taste it to see if more hot sauce is needed or anything else for that matter.
FAQ
A heavy-bottomed skillet is best to ensure the steak cooks evenly and stays juicy. Cast iron skillets are ideal for this recipe, as they are sturdy and retain heat exceptionally well. Alternatively, you can use a stainless steel skillet or any non-stick pan with an oven-safe handle.
The best way to determine doneness is by using an instant-read thermometer inserted into one of the steak tips. The internal temperature should be at least 140 F (60 C) for medium-rare, 160 F (71 C) for medium, and 170 F (77 C) for well-done.
Absolutely! Making your own barbecue sauce is easy, and you can adjust it to suit your personal tastes. To make a classic barbecue sauce, mix together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and black pepper until smooth.
This recipe works best with a good cut of tender, flavorful steak like ribeye, New York strip, or sirloin. The marbling of the fat throughout the steak will add flavor and juiciness to your dish. If you don't have these steak cuts available, you can also use a leaner cut of beef like top round, bottom round, or flank steak instead.
More Quick Steak Recipes
Have a look at our new video! Check out how easy this Barbecue Skillet Beef Tips is to make!
Simple Barbecue Skillet Steak Tips Video
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Simple Barbecue Steak Tips Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds beef or steak, cut into bite sized chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive or another vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ⅓ cup barbecue sauce, your favorite variety
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3-5 dashes hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet until it shimmers or a drop of water flicked in it dances. Add onions, sprinkle with salt, and cook for about 5 minutes, or lightly brown and tender. Remove from pan and transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Wipe your skillet with paper towel.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to your skillet and heat it up. Rinse and pat beef or steak dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add to your skillet and cook until done, between 7 and 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely or tent with foil, and set aside.
- Now back to your skillet. Add onions, broth, brown sugar, paprika, garlic, hot sauce and barbecue sauce and simmer for about 4 minutes. Add butter to thicken if necessary and stir. Taste mixture to see if it needs any seasoning. Add steak or beef as well as their juices to your skillet and stir until evenly coated. Serve with rice or noodles. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in December 2017. It has been republished with new content and images.
Michelle
Awesome, thanks for posting your recipe! I used cubed sirloin steak and cooked to a medium pink center. Served with mac-n-cheese, coleslaw and jalapeno cornbread. A quick bbq option when my husband and I don't feel like breaking out the pellet smoker.
Karin and Ken
As always you’re most welcome! We love this recipe too and it’s in our regular rotation as has been for years. I’m so glad you enjoyed it as well. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. All the best. Karin
Stephanie Raffaele
These images are looking delicious. I will definitely try this at home. Do you have any video on YouTube about this dish. Thanks
Karin and Ken
I will shortly! Right now it is being edited. If you subscribe to my YouTube channel you will be notified when it goes live. This dish is both easy and delicious! It will likely be up in the next week to 10 days. Please let us know what you think after you try it. I always love to hear. It is one of our favorites! Take care and all the best. Karin
Teresa
Hope you have had a moment to check out our video! Happy new year! All the best. Karin