Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak Recipe

Introduction

Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak is a hearty, comforting dish featuring tender cube steak simmered in a flavorful tomato-based gravy with vegetables. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner served over mashed potatoes or noodles.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 lbs cube steak or round steak slices
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1–2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp sugar
• Pinch of celery seed (optional)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Coat the steaks evenly with this mixture.
3. Step 3: Heat vegetable oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Brown the coated steaks on both sides until golden, then remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same pot, sauté the diced onion, celery, green bell pepper, and mushrooms until softened. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Stir in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, sugar, and celery seed if using. Return the browned steaks to the pot, nestling them into the sauce.
6. Step 6: Cover the pot and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1½ to 2 hours, until the steak is fork-tender and flavorful.
7. Step 7: (Optional) To thicken the gravy, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir it into the pot on the stovetop and simmer until the sauce thickens.
8. Step 8: Serve the Swiss steak hot over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for a satisfying meal.

Tips & Variations

• For a shortcut, try cooking this recipe in a slow cooker with 1 cup of broth on low for 6–8 hours.
• Adding peas or carrots on the side complements the dish nicely.
• Use round steak if cube steak is unavailable for a similar texture and flavor.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. This dish also freezes well; cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Do I need to brown the steak before slow cooking?

Browning the steak first adds depth of flavor and helps develop a richer sauce, but you can skip this step if short on time. The slow cooker will still tenderize the meat.

Can I use other types of steak for this recipe?

Yes, round steak or other affordable, tough cuts work well because slow cooking makes them tender. Avoid tender cuts like ribeye as they’re better cooked quickly.

Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 112 reviews

This Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak is a comforting, classic dish featuring tender cube steak slow-baked in a rich tomato and mushroom gravy with aromatic vegetables. Perfectly seasoned and braised to fork-tender perfection, it’s best served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for a hearty homestyle meal.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Steak Coating

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Steak and Vegetables

• 2 lbs cube steak or round steak sliced
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1–2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp sugar
• Pinch of celery seed (optional)

Thickening (Optional)

• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) to prepare for the braising process.
2. Prepare and Brown Steak: In a bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Coat the cube steak slices evenly with this flour mixture. Heat the vegetable oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat and brown the steak pieces on both sides until golden. Remove steak and set aside.
3. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add diced onion, celery, green bell pepper, and mushrooms. Sauté until vegetables are softened. Add minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes to develop flavors.
4. Add Liquids and Seasonings: Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, sugar, and optional celery seed. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
5. Return Steak and Bake: Place the browned steak back into the pot, nestling it into the sauce. Cover the pot with a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the steak is tender enough to easily shred with a fork.
6. Thicken Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker gravy, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir this into the pot and simmer on the stovetop for several minutes until the sauce thickens to your liking.
7. Serve: Serve the Swiss steak hot over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for a soulful and satisfying meal.

Notes

• For a shortcut, use a slow cooker by reducing beef broth to 1 cup and cooking on low for 6–8 hours.
• This recipe freezes well; store cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
• Pairs well with peas, carrots, or a simple side salad.

Keywords: Swiss steak, braised steak, quick comfort food, beef stew, homestyle dinner, cube steak recipe, tomato gravy steak