How to Cook a Sirloin Tip Roast in a Slow Cooker

If you're looking for a simple way to prepare juicy meat for dinner, try cooking a sirloin tip roast in a slow cooker and serving it up with a side of vegetables. Using a slow cooking method helps break down this tougher cut of meat so that it comes out tender every time.

Sirloin steaks bring to mind a great piece of quickly grilled meat — but the name of a sirloin tip roast is a bit of a misnomer, as it's technically not a sirloin at all. Actually, it's the inexpensive cut of meat that comes from the hindquarters of the cow. It's also known as a round tip roast or a knuckle roast, and it's located next to the tip of the sirloin, hence the name.

"Sirloin tip roast has a boneless and lean cut," says Chef Gocha Hawkins of Gocha's Breakfast Bar. "It's cut from the hindquarters of the cow, which makes the meat tougher. This mainly depends on the muscle size, as larger muscles tend to be tougher."

The backside of the cow, where the sirloin tip roast comes from, is an area used for movement. Because that area is used so much, it's made up of mostly lean muscle rather than fat. This makes it a tougher cut of meat, rather than a tender cut such as a standing rib roast or a tenderloin.

Cuts of beef that are lean and tough like the sirloin tip roast should be cooked low and slow to break down the connective fibers. This will give you a tender and juicy end result that will be the star of your dinner. You can cook a sirloin tip roast in the oven for a few hours on a low setting, or you can use a set-it-and-forget-it method, and simply braise it in a slow cooker or Crock Pot.

You can cook sirloin tip roast in a slow cooker with a few seasonings and make it taste amazing. The best part is, it doesn't require standing over a stove. Cooking meats like sirloin tip roast is ideal if you have a busy weekday schedule but want to prepare a delicious dinner. Here's the best way to do it.

The finished product of a slow cooker sirloin tip roast looks much like a traditional pot roast, particularly if you braise the cut of beef with potatoes and vegetables like carrots.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Add the sirloin tip roast to the pan and brown it on all sides. Although this step can be skipped if you're in a hurry, browning the beef before cooking improves the flavor of the final meal.

In a small bowl, combine olive oil with Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, oregano and cayenne pepper to use as your seasoning, according to Hawkins.

Alternatively, pre-made seasonings are always an option. "There are many spice mixes sold in supermarkets that are also good for sirloin tip roast seasoning," she says. "You can also use Italian seasoning or fresh garlic and herbs."

Put the roast in the slow cooker and then brush it with the seasoned oil. Arrange the quartered onions around the beef, and pour your beef broth into the slow cooker.

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 8 hours. This is the equivalent of baking your roast in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour, according to PennState Extension.

Halfway through cooking, open the lid and arrange chopped russet potatoes and sliced carrots around the slow cooker sirloin tip roast. Return the cover to the slow cooker.

Let the sirloin tip roast rest before slicing thin and serving, Hawkins says. "When you slice it, make sure to go against the grain to ensure tenderness," she adds. "Going against the grain also shortens the muscle fibers, which is key in tenderization."

If you're saving leftovers, promptly refrigerate the remaining meat, discarding any that has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as advised by the USDA.

If you enjoy a bit of spice in your dishes, add a sprinkling of crushed red pepper flakes to the slow cooker sirloin tip roast recipe. To change the flavor profile of the sirloin tip roast, you can also replace the beef broth with a cup of bold red wine or dark beer.

After the slow cooker sirloin tip roast is finished cooking, you can create your own delicious gravy by draining the liquid from the Crock Pot into a small saucepan. Bring the liquid to a boil and then let it simmer and reduce to a thick gravy consistency.

Your slow cooker sirloin tip roast can even be cut up and turned into beef stew. Simply cut the meat to your desired size and incorporate extra vegetables, such as mushrooms and celery, to make it heartier and more nutritious.

There are all kinds of dishes you can pair with a sirloin tip roast. "It's traditionally served in a pot with vegetables such as onions, carrots and potatoes," Hawkins says. "On the side, you can pair it with Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, string beans and more."

Other side dishes to go with beef tips include:

• Yukon mashed potatoes
• Oven-roasted vegetables
• Mac and cheese
• Sweet potato casserole

If you need gravy to serve with the sirloin tip roast, you should start by mixing cold water and starch, Hawkins says. In a separate bowl, combine the juices from the meat, some beef broth and a bit of red wine. Whisk this combination together over heat until it comes to a boil. Mix in the cold water and starch mixture and simmer for 10 minutes, then serve alongside your slow cooker sirloin tip roast.