Easy Swiss Steak – Old Fashioned Recipe

Easy Swiss Steak – fork-tender beef in a rich beefy-tomato gravy with onions. Old fashioned recipe – slow cooker or oven braised. Serve it up with creamy mashed potatoes or wide egg noodles.

Tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, onions, tomatoes in a rich, beef gravy for the kind of meal that makes your house smell amazing and just feels like home.

This is an easy recipe with two cooking options: slow cooker if you have plans for the day – or slow oven braised. It starts with round steak or cube steak – both economincal cuts that’ll be fork dinner by the time they hit your plate.

We love it best over some creamy mashed potatoes, but it’s great over egg noodles, rice or alongside some fresh green beans.

Why I love this recipe:

Easy to customize. Toss in carrots, mushrooms, sliced red or green bell pepper, or a couple of chopped stalks celery for more vegetables.

Two cooking options. Crockpot for all day cooking or oven – done in a couple of hours.

Simple ingredients that turn into a super comforting meal – ideal for chilly temps.

Ingredients needed to make Swiss Steak:

• round steak or cube steak
• Salt and black pepper
• all-purpose flour
• olive oil
• medium onion peeled and sliced
• tomato paste
• beef stock, bone broth or regular beef broth
• packet au jus
• diced tomatoes
• Worcestershire sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Optional: 1 tablespoon cornstarch, for a thicker gravy

How to make Slow Cooker Swiss Steak:

1. Season steak with salt and black pepper. Dredge in flour.
2. Heat oil in large skillet. Sear steak – 3-4 minutes per side until golden then add to crockpot.
3. Add onions to skillet. Season salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes to soften. Stir in tomato paste.
4. Stir in broth, au jus , tomatoes, worcestershire, Italian seasoning. Scrape up browned bits.
5. Pour over steak in crockpot. Cover and cook on HIGH 4-5 hours or LOW 6-8 hours.

Optional: if your gravy isn’t as thick as you’d like, whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water together. Stir into gravy. Simmer until thickened.

How to make Swiss Steak in the oven:

1. Season steak with salt and black pepper. Dredge in flour.
2. Heat oil in oven-safe deep skillet or dutch oven. Sear steak 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. Add beef broth, au jus , tomatoes, worcestershire, Italian seasoning. Scape up browned bits from bottom of pan.
4. Return steaks to the skillet. Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until beef is fork tender.

Subs and variations:

Round steak or cube steak: Either works well. Buy what’s available, looks best, has a better price.

All-purpose flour: Gives steak a nice coating before browning and adds body to the sauce.

Swap beef stock for beef bone broth or regular beef both. All will work well.

Additional seasonings: can also add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder to sauce or even a little paprika for another layer of flavor.

Add extra vegetables: Cut carrots into chunks or slice mushrooms or green pepper and add right to the broth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Swiss Steak?

Swiss refers to how the beef is tenderized with a meat mallet before cooking. Swiss Steak starts with whole pieces of beef steak – unlike Salisbury Steak that’s made from ground beef.

Do I Have to Brown Swiss Steak First?

I recommend browning – it adds extra flavor to the steak, gives it a little crust and flour gives extra body in the sauce.

What’s the secret to tender Swiss Steak?

Time. Low and slow will give you melt in your mouth steak because of the cut we’re using. It’s done when you can easily cut it with a fork. Tenderizing the meat with a mallet also helps.

Can I make Slow Cooker Swiss Steak in the oven?

Yes! See directions in the heading above.

How can I make the gravy thicker?

Whisk 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch with water or beef stock. Stir until smooth then pour into the pan or slow cooker near the end of cooking. Heat until your preferred thickness.

What to serve with Swiss Steak:

The gravy might be my favorite part of this recipe, so I definitely recommend going with something that’ll soak up every last drop.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Buttered Noodles

Green Beans

Fall Kale Salad

Honey Glazed Carrots

Easy Focaccia Bread (from pizza dough)

Enjoy!