Beef TIPS are smaller pieces of meat that are typically leftover when the butcher cuts up larger cuts of tender beef--usually tenderloin or sirloin. They work great in this recipe!! However, if you can't find beef tips, you can substitute pre cut stew meat, you will just have to cook it a bit longer. If you want to buy a piece of meat and cut it yourself, keep this in mind: Chuck, brisket, rump roast and round cuts are generally tougher cuts of meat and need to cook a bit longer. Beef tips, top sirloin, ribeye, tenderloin, and flank cuts are tender and don't need quite as long to cook. ANY of these cuts of beef will work beautifully in this dish!