Crock Pot Steak Tips and Mushrooms

My crockpot got broken and I was without one for about a year, during that time I got out of the habit of using it. Now that I am recovering from brain surgery and have limited energy I am even more motivated to find crockpot recipes I love. I began with this recipe that I found on Pinterest http://www.couponingtodisney.com/kristins-kitchen-beef-tips-and-rice/  I first made it at the cabin where I have a limited pantry and I was surprised how good it was with so few ingredients.
I've now tweaked it to my own liking and this is my definitive version.  I like to use 2 lbs of steak tips because I want leftovers. I serve it over rice because it reminds me of my mother's stroganoff and we ate that with rice. It would also be good with egg noodles, mashed potatoes or maybe orzo.  I did try it with powdered french onion soup mix, I think it came out better with the canned version, there is a caramelized onion flavor the powdered mix does not achieve, but if it saves you a trip to the store you could use it.

Crock Pot Steak Tips and Mushrooms

cook 7-8 hours on Low

or 4 hours on high

1 can french onion soup

1 can Cream of Mushroom (original not reduced fat)

1 can golden mushroom soup

1 jar sliced mushrooms

3 cloves minced garlic

1-2 lb steak tips

(optional extended version)
grapeseed oil
carton of sliced mushrooms
3 whole garlic cloves
1 cup hearty burgundy

Place steak tips in the bottom of the crock. Place garlic on top of steak tips. Mix together all the soups and mushrooms and pour over the top of the steak tips.

Optional Extended Version (worth it)

This step can be done at the beginning or later & added to the crock at any point in the cooking. If for example you need to get to an appointment first in the morning but will have time later in the day.

grapeseed oil

1 carton sliced mushrooms

1 cup hearty burgundy

3 whole garlic cloves

Heat oil in a large deep skillet

Dump in the mushrooms and spread out into a single layer. Let them brown on one side for 5 to 8 minutes then jumble them about and let the second side do the same.  When they are brown and have begun to shrink add 1 cup of hearty burgundy and 3 whole garlic cloves to the pan. Let simmer for 10 minutes, this simmer reduces the wine and cooks off some of the alcohol if you added un-reduced alcohol to the crock it will not cook off and will not give you that lovely long simmered flavor you get from cooking with wine.  Add all to the steak tips in the crock and continue cooking.

Note: I am now making this dish in my Instant Pot.  When I get that recipe typed up I will link it here.