Old Fashioned Swiss Steak Recipe

This recipe for Old Fashioned Swiss Steak (what I like to call Smothered Swiss Steak) is pure comfort food at its finest. It’s at the top of my list for when there is a chill in the air, and I’m looking for something warm and cozy for supper. This Swiss Steak is fork-tender and smothered in a beefy tomato gravy filled with tender bell peppers, onions, celery, and mushrooms. I like to serve it with a scoop of mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. (And if you love fall and winter comfort food, try my recipe for One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff.)

Now you can prepare this Swiss Steak recipe by simmering it on the stovetop, but I like to braise it in the oven for a few hours. Because when it’s cold and blustery outside, it just makes my kitchen extra warm and inviting to have a pot full of something delicious slow-cooking in the oven. Also, can I just say that while these Swiss Steaks are in the oven simmering away, the whole house will be just amazingly fragrant with the aroma of home-cooked goodness!

But I do tend to think of this recipe as something a bit old-fashioned (in a really good kind of way). This dish is something from my childhood, that my mom or grandma would prepare for supper on a cold fall or winter evening. Back in those days, growing up in Pennsylvania, fall was just magical to me (and still is to this day – shout out to my fellow autumn lovers!) Hearty, warming foods were standard fare on those crisp autumn, after-school evenings, and were definitely a part of the magic.

Aside from being a nostalgic kind of recipe, though, I think it’s also a bit old-fashioned because I use cubed steaks for this dish, a cut of beef that I really don’t see too often in modern recipes.  I believe these steaks deserve a revival, though, because when properly cooked low and slow, cubed steaks are just oh-so-tender. And as an added bonus, they are also typically very inexpensive. Often I can find cubed steaks on sale for less than the price of regular ground beef. But if you can’t easily find cubed steaks, just go ahead and substitute thin-cut top-round steaks.

Let’s talk about the ingredients for Swiss Steak (it’s a long list, but don’t be intimidated because these are all basic ingredients)

All-Purpose Flour – Used for dredging the cubed steak before browning. It helps create a crispy coating and also thickens the sauce as it cooks.

Salt –  Enhances the dish’s overall flavor and balances the other seasonings.

Ground Black Pepper – Adds a mild spiciness and complements the other flavors in the dish. If you can grind your own black pepper, all the better. 

Garlic – What can I say here but flavor! I use both granulated garlic and fresh garlic. 

Cubed Steak -Cubed steak, or cube steak, is typically made from round steak and is pre-tenderized using a method called swissing (swiss steak is named after this process and not the European country). You can also use regular round steak that has not been tenderized. 

Oil – Used for browning the cubed steak before simmering to achieve a nice sear. I tend to use avocado oil, but you can use whatever high-temperature cooking oil you prefer. 

Onion – Adds sweetness and flavor to the dish, forming the base of the sauce. I like a sweet onion like Vidalia, but any onion of your choice will do. 

Celery – Gives the dish a lovely flavor and adds texture to the gravy.

Green Bell Pepper – Offers a slightly tangy and fresh flavor to complement the other ingredients. If you don’t like green peppers, any color of bell pepper will work.

Cremini or White Button Mushrooms – Provide an umami-rich taste and add a meaty texture to the dish. I think fresh is best here, so skip the canned mushrooms.

Tomato Paste –  Concentrated tomato flavor that thickens the sauce and adds a rich, savory element.

Canned Diced or Stewed Tomatoes – Adds more tomato flavor and a texture to the gravy. 

Beef Broth – Provides a rich base for the sauce and enhances the beefy flavor.

Worcestershire Sauce – More flavor!

Dried Thyme – An herb that complements the flavors in the dish and adds a subtle earthiness.

Sugar – Balances the acidity of the tomatoes and other ingredients, bringing out the flavors.

Celery Seed (optional) – Celery seed contributes a mild celery flavor and complements the fresh celery in the dish.

Water + Cornstarch – Combined to create a slurry that thickens the sauce to the desired consistency.

Cook’s Tips:

• Season Generously. Don’t be shy with seasoning. Season the steak liberally with salt and pepper (I also use thyme but feel free to use any other herbs and spices you like.) This will add depth of flavor as it cooks.
• Keep the steak moist. Ensure there’s enough liquid in the pot to keep the meat moist and tender throughout the cooking process. If it begins to look dry, add a little bit of water to the pot. 
• Patience is the secret ingredient. Be patient and allow the steak to cook low and slow until it is tender. This slow-cooking method allows the meat to become tender and allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
• Check for Doneness. Cook the Swiss steak until it reaches the desired level of doneness. The meat should be fork-tender but not overcooked. You can check the doneness by piercing the meat with a fork – it should easily pull apart.

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