This oven baked 3-ingredient beef kensington is the kind of old-fashioned family appetizer that earns a permanent spot in the fall and holiday rotation. With just a few pantry-friendly ingredients, the beef bakes into tender, savory bites coated in a rich, glossy glaze, making it perfect for game days, potlucks, and those cool evenings when everybody seems to gather in the kitchen looking for something warm and hearty.
Serve these beef bites straight from the casserole dish with toothpicks or a small spoon for easy sharing. They pair especially well with buttery crackers, toasted baguette slices, mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or a simple relish tray with celery and pickles to balance the richness.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Beef Kensington
Servings: 8 appetizer portions
Ingredients
2 pounds beef stew meat or sirloin tips, cut into bite-size pieces
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 ounces
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and lightly grease a medium glass casserole dish.
2. Add the beef to a large mixing bowl, sprinkle over the dry onion soup mix, and stir to coat the meat evenly.
3. Add the condensed cream of mushroom soup and mix until all the beef is well coated.
4. Spread the mixture into the prepared casserole dish in an even layer and cover tightly with foil.
5. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened into a rich glaze.
6. Serve hot as an appetizer, or spoon over noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes for a simple supper.
Variations & Tips
For extra richness: Stir in 1/2 cup sour cream after baking for a creamier finish. This is especially nice if you plan to serve the beef over noodles or potatoes.
For picky eaters: Use sirloin tips instead of stew meat for a softer bite and a slightly neater texture. Cutting the pieces a little smaller also makes this easier for kids and appetizer platters.
For deeper flavor: Brown the beef in a skillet for a few minutes before mixing it with the soup and onion mix. It adds a little extra color and a heartier roasted taste, though the recipe is still delicious without that extra step.