Before tossing everything into the slow cooker, give your beef a quick sear. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the beef in batches, allowing each piece to develop a brown crust. This step adds a rich, savory depth to the final dish.
Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan. Sear the beef in batches to avoid steaming the meat.
Once the beef is seared, transfer it directly to your crockpot. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté the chopped onions until soft and golden, about 4–5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Spoon the onion and garlic mixture over the beef in the crockpot.
Now it’s time to bring the dish together. Pour the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and tomato paste into the crockpot. Stir in thyme, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything gently to combine, ensuring the beef is well coated in the liquid.
Cover the crockpot and cook the mixture:
On Low for 7–8 hours, or
On High for 4–5 hours
The beef should become fork-tender and infused with flavor.
About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the crockpot to thicken the gravy. Cover and cook on High for another 30 minutes.
The gravy should thicken nicely and coat the beef beautifully.
While the gravy is thickening, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions (usually 6–8 minutes), until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Once the beef and gravy are thickened to your liking, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the beef tips generously over the warm egg noodles, and top with freshly chopped parsley if desired.