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Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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
  • 12 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