Description
This Quick Beef in Gravy recipe is a simple and flavorful dish that features tender beef strips cooked in a savory, thickened beef stock gravy. Perfect for a speedy weeknight meal, it combines basic pantry ingredients to deliver a hearty and comforting main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Coating
- 1 lb. beef strips
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic powder (optional)
Cooking
- 2 TBS. vegetable oil
- 2 cups low-sodium beef stock
- ¼ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Thickening (optional)
- 2 tsp. cornstarch
- 4 tsp. water
Instructions
- Prepare the Seasoning and Coat Beef: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add the beef strips and toss thoroughly to evenly coat them with the flour mixture.
- Remove Excess Flour: Transfer the coated beef strips to a plate, shaking off any excess flour. Discard remaining flour mixture to avoid clumping during cooking.
- Heat the Skillet and Oil: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Heat until the oil is very hot and shimmering to ensure a good sear.
- Sear the Beef Strips: Add the beef strips in a single layer to the hot skillet. Let them cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop a crust on one side.
- Flip and Cook Beef: Flip the beef strips and stir frequently, cooking for about 1 minute or until reaching your desired level of doneness. Avoid overcooking to keep beef tender.
- Add Beef Stock and Simmer: Remove the skillet from heat briefly, then while stirring, slowly drizzle in the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce. Return the skillet to the heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken the Gravy (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour this slurry all at once into the skillet, stirring continually. Allow it to simmer until the gravy thickens nicely.
- Final Seasoning: Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with your choice of sides.
Notes
- For extra flavor, garlic powder is optional but recommended.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet when searing the beef, cook in batches if necessary for best browning.
- The Worcestershire sauce adds a subtle umami depth – don’t skip it if possible.
- The cornstarch slurry is optional; skip it if you prefer a thinner sauce.
- Leftover beef in gravy can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: beef in gravy, quick beef recipe, skillet beef, easy beef dinner, beef strips, savory beef gravy
