Introduction

Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak is a beloved comfort food that brings back warm memories of home-cooked family dinners. This classic dish features tenderized beef simmered slowly in a rich tomato-based gravy with onions, peppers, and seasonings until it’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It’s a hearty, budget-friendly recipe that transforms inexpensive cuts of beef into a flavorful, fork-tender meal. Perfect with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds round steak (about 1-inch thick)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef: Trim any excess fat from the round steak. Pound lightly with a meat mallet or tenderizer to break down fibers. Cut into serving-sized portions.
2. Dredge in Flour: In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Dredge each steak piece in the seasoned flour, coating both sides. Shake off excess.
3. Brown the Meat: Heat the oil or butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the steak pieces and brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
4. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté for about 3–4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
5. Build the Sauce: Add diced tomatoes (with juice), beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir well to combine.
6. Simmer the Steak: Return the browned steak to the pan, spooning some sauce over the top. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the steak is fork-tender. Stir occasionally and add a bit more broth or water if the sauce thickens too much.
7. Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Serve the Swiss steak hot with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, spooning the tomato-onion gravy over the top.

Description

Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak is a classic comfort meal that combines simple ingredients into something extraordinary. The slow-cooked beef becomes incredibly tender while soaking up the rich tomato and onion gravy. It’s a dish that fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma and brings a nostalgic, homey flavor to your dinner table.

Tips

• Tenderness Tip: If your beef isn’t tender after 1½ hours, continue simmering—it just needs more time to break down.
• Add Veggies: You can add carrots, celery, or mushrooms to make it heartier.
• Make Ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen overnight.
• Slow Cooker Option: Brown the steak and vegetables first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours.

Correction

Many people confuse Swiss Steak with Salisbury Steak or Country Fried Steak. The key difference is that Swiss Steak is braised slowly in a tomato sauce, not pan-fried or served with brown gravy. “Swiss” refers to the “swissing” process—pounding or tenderizing the meat—not Switzerland.

Enjoy

Serve your Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak with creamy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles, and a side of green beans or roasted carrots. Enjoy every bite of this classic, old-school comfort food—it’s hearty, flavorful, and sure to warm your soul!