Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak Recipe
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
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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) to prepare for the braising process.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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