Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: · Modified: by Dee

This Easy Swiss Steak Recipefeatures thin cuts of round steak simmered in a peppery tomato beef sauce until tender. Your family will love this classic dinner!

Jump to Recipe -

So, I was going through the mountain of old family recipes that my parents sent over, and I came across my mom's vintage recipe for Swiss Steak. Have you ever had it? We ate this a couple of time a month when I was growing up, but for some reason, I never made it for my own family.

Except for the occasional chuck roast, I mostly use ground beef because we pretty much mostly live off of quick and easy dinners. But with round steak, you have to let it cook low and slow. My mom used to make Swiss Steak in the electric skillet and let it simmer for a couple of hours. The result was delicious!

I like the idea of making some retro recipes for my kids so that they can experience the same dinners I grew up on -- total food nerd moment here. So, I made Swiss Steak twice in the last week.

The first time, I followed my mom's recipe closely, but not quite exactly. I dredged the meat in corn starch instead of flour, and I used red and yellow peppers instead of green. I also adjusted the spices to add some garlic. My family enjoyed it, but I wanted to tweak the recipe a little.

The next time I made Swiss Steak, I mixed in some beef broth with the crushed tomatoes. And, I also let the steak simmer for almost 3 hours instead of almost two. And this, friends, made a huge difference!

The sauce from the second recipe was more like a gravy instead of tomato sauce, although both versions are definitely good. And, letting the Swiss Steak simmer longer made the meat tender enough to cut with a fork. So if you have time, you want to let the meat hang out as long as you possibly can.

New! You can make Swiss steak in the Instant Pot!

If you don't want to make Swiss steak on the stove or electric skillet, try Instant Pot Swiss Steak!

How to Make this Easy Swiss Steak Recipe

Recipe

Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (5)

Easy Swiss Steak Recipe

Published by Dee

Thin slices of round steak dredged in corn starch and simmered in a peppery tomato beef sauce until tender. This hearty dinner recipe is gluten free as is, if you use gluten-free corn starch. It's also relatively low carb. But you can serve it over egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes or with a side of vegetables.

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds bottom round steak, trimmed and cut into large squares
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup celery, finely chopped
  • ½ cup red and yellow bell peppers, diced
  • ½ cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1 cup crushed tomato puree
  • 1 cup organic low sodium beef stock

Instructions

  • Season the meat with salt, pepper and garlic powder, and lightly dust with cornstarch on both sides

  • Add olive oil to Dutch oven or large skillet, and brown meat on both sides over medium high heat

  • Stir in peppers, onions and celery

  • Pour crushed tomatoes and beef broth over meat, stir, cover, and let simmer on medium low heat for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally

  • Serve over cooked rice, mashed potatoes or egg noodles, or with side of vegetables

Notes

You can use flour instead of corn starch

You can also reduce black pepper to ½ teaspoon for a milder flavor

If you don't have beef stock, use 1 cup of water, instead

Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

This easy Swiss Steak recipe does require some extra prep time, but you can make things easier by chopping your peppers, onions and celery in advance. I always try to keep a stash in the freezer to make weeknight meals as easy as possible. Once you have the round steak simmering on the stove, you just let it go until you're ready to eat.

My family loved this Swiss Steak! I wasn't sure if they would, since it's a little bit different, but they ate it all up. My little guy even asked for seconds!

If you try it, let me know how it goes.

Happy Cooking,

Pin

Share

Tweet

More Recipes on the blog

  • Old Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
  • The Creamiest Stovetop Mac and Cheese
  • Grandma's Potato Salad Recipe with Simple Ingredients
  • Bird's Nest Cupcakes (Easter Cupcakes)

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Review

  1. Kara says

    Made this tonight exactly as written and it was absolutely wonderful! Meat was tender and sauce was delicious.
    We served it over mashed cauliflower and it’s definitely going to be on our regular rotation. Thank you!Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (12)

    Reply

    • Dee says

      So glad you liked it, Kara! Thanks so much!

  2. Jules says

    This recipe is sooooo delicious! Just made it tonight for me and my fiance and he loved it too. Definitely going to make it a lot more. Great job! ❤🤤Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (13)

    Reply

    • Dee says

      That's wonderful, Jules! I'm so glad you both liked it -- Thanks! 🙂

  3. Janet Wallace says

    love this recipeEasy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (14)

    Reply

  4. Jessica Robinson says

    I made this for a large group with lots of children and everyone loved It!Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (15)

    Reply

  5. Chris says

    I'm a Cajun, and this sounds great! Making it tonight. The flour will make a roux and thicken the gravy, just like we like it in South Louisiana! Thanks!Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (16)

    Reply

    • Dee says

      Thank, Chris! I hope you like it!

  6. Mikael says

    Lookin great, gonna try this asap! ????????????

    Reply

  7. Pam says

    Can I double the amount of tomato purée and beef broth so that I have more gravy?Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (17)

    Reply

    • Dee says

      Absolutely! The more gravy, the better. 🙂

  8. Nancy k says

    Mom used to make SwissSteak over mashed potatoes, sometimes Rice.
    Is it just my region, or has anyone else not seen a Round Steak at their local grocers? Why not? Would Chuck Roast work? I'd love to make this again.

    Reply

    • Dee says

      Hi, Nancy. I think some people make this with cube steak, but I'm not sure a thicker cut like chuck would work. I found the round steak at Fry's (Kroger), so maybe a store with a butcher shop would have it.

  9. Amy says

    Could you cook this in a crock pot instead of stove top? Open flame for 3 hours is a little unnerving to me.

    Reply

    • Dee says

      I would brown them on the stove first, but you should be able to let them simmer in the Crock-Pot after that. An electric skillet works well, too!

  10. Shirley Wood says

    Oh how you brought back the memories. My Mother cooked round steak quite a bit. I don't know how in the world she was able to make it so tender. I enjoy making my Mom's recipes too. This sounds delicious.

    Reply

    • Pat says

      I always pounded the steak before I dipped it in flour. I cooked it in an electric skillet with tomato sauce, and veggies for several hours. My kids keep asking for it. Time to bring back some memories.

    • Dee says

      That's almost exactly how my mom made it in her electric skillet! 🙂

  11. Helen S. says

    Do you think I could use flank steak and shorten the cooking time? I rarely see round steak for sale where I live in Canada. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Dee says

      Hi Helen. I think some people do use flank steak instead of round steak, so if you shortened the cooking time, it should work. 🙂

  12. Sandi G says

    This is pure yummy comfort food 🙂

    Reply

  13. Patty says

    My Mom used to make it with mashed potatoes and we used the sauce with gravy. I haven't had this in years but I think it will be a wonderful meal for next week. Thanks for sharing.Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (18)

    Reply

    • Dee says

      This would be so good over mashed potatoes! Now I want to make it again just so I can have it over potatoes! 🙂

  14. Amanda says

    Yum! I have tried different versions of swiss steak and can never seem to recreate my mom's recipe(even though she has given me the instructions). Trying your tonight!!

    Reply

    • Dee says

      I hope you like it! Really, I think we can never quite top our moms' recipes! 😉

  15. Michelle says

    It looks like the perfect comfort food dish!!

    Reply

  16. Sabrina says

    This is a perfect recipe for my kids! They're going to love it!

    Reply

  17. cathy @ noble pig says

    One of my favorites from childhood.

    Reply

  18. Michelle Goth says

    I can honestly say that I've never had swiss steak before. It looks and sounds delicious! Aren't family recipes just the best?

    Reply

    • Rickie says

      I'm going to try to make delicious

Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Swiss steak and Salisbury steak? ›

What Is the Difference Between Salisbury Steak and Swiss Steak? A Salisbury steak is made from ground beef that's formed into a patty, and Swiss steak is actually steak. Additionally, Salisbury steak usually has a gravy that consists of beef broth, and Swiss steak is known for being cooked with tomatoes and onions.

How to make beef steak tender and juicy? ›

Start In The Skillet, Finish In The Oven

Because a hot oven would continue to darken the outside of the steak, potentially too much. And also, slower cooking (think low-and-slow) is going to make the steak much juicier. Gentler cooking is going to be best here so that even our well-done steak is moist and tender.

How to cook steak with little fat? ›

Cooking the steak sous vide allows you to avoid using additional fat or butter, and you could sear it with a blowtorch, rather than using a pan for the same reason. Grilling the steak would let some fat drip away, and also doesn't require any lubrication in the pan.

How to salt and pepper steak? ›

Season generously until you see a layer of salt on the steak. If your steak is very thick (over an inch), you'll want to use enough salt to actually form a crust on it. Grind a little fresh black pepper over the steak and then gently pat the steak with your hand to adhere the seasoning.

Is Salisbury steak the same as meatloaf? ›

Salisbury steak isn't technically a steak, but more like a patty. In fact, it's similar to meatloaf but usually without as many ingredients, shaped into a patty rather than a loaf, and served with a mushroom and onion gravy. If you like meatloaf, you'll probably love Salisbury steak.

What is the difference between Salisbury steak and meatloaf? ›

Meatloaf is a seasoned meat mixture formed into a loaf—a loaf of meat, if you will—and baked in a loaf pan in the oven. Salisbury steak is sometimes similarly seasoned but formed into patties and browned in a skillet on the stovetop. Salisbury steak is also typically served with gravy, often a mushroom-based gravy.

What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.

Does soaking steak in milk tenderize it? ›

The calcium-rich properties of milk react with enzymes in the meat to gently soften the proteins. Whole milk (not reduced fat), buttermilk, and yogurt all get the job done – with a special nod to buttermilk and yogurt for their optimal tenderizing acidity levels.

How does Texas Roadhouse make their sirloin so tender? ›

How does Texas Roadhouse tenderise their steaks? Season each side of the steak well with the seasoning and set aside to rest for about 40 minutes. This causes the salt to infiltrate the surface (through osmosis) and actually aids in the breakdown of muscle fibres, resulting in more tender meat.

What seasoning do you put on steak? ›

There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.

What does rubbing salt on steak do? ›

Adding salt to the exterior of a piece of steak draws out the moisture in the steak. The salt then dissolves in this moisture, creating a brine that is then re-absorbed back into the steak. In this process, the lean muscle proteins in the meat are broken down, made juicier and more tender. All thanks to salt!

Do you put oil on steak before seasoning? ›

On seasoning:

There's nothing better than to let the natural flavours of the meat sing. I keep it simple by first coating the meat with a bit of olive oil and then adding lots of coarse salt just before cooking so it doesn't dissolve, as this helps to create a nice surface texture. I generally add pepper post-cooking.

Which is better sirloin or ribeye steak? ›

With more marbling, ribeye steaks are better known for their rich flavor and texture. However, dry-aging grilled sirloin steak can enhance its beefy taste without adding fat. Both ribeye and sirloin are wonderfully tender cuts, but ribeye has the edge here.

What is another name for Swiss steak? ›

Arm steak (Swiss steak) – Arm steak is more commonly referred to as “Swiss steak.” This tough cut of meat is taken from the bottom of the round and is generally best when braised. It does not lend itself to grilling.

What cut of meat is Swiss steak made from? ›

Swiss steak is made from an actual piece of steak, usually cut from the bottom, top, or eye of round. These tough steaks are pounded thin, tenderized (via a textured mallet or swissing machine), and braised until fork-tender in a rich tomato and onion gravy.

Why do they call it Swiss steak? ›

The meat is always fork tender and delicious, but probably doesn't always fit the definition of Swiss steak. One would think the name comes from Switzerland, but it actually comes from the technique of tenderizing the meat by pounding or rolling, which is called “swissing” in England.

What is another name for Salisbury steak? ›

Salisbury steak is a dish originating in the United States and made from a blend of ground beef and other ingredients, being considered a version of Hamburg steak.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rubie Ullrich

Last Updated:

Views: 6774

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rubie Ullrich

Birthday: 1998-02-02

Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119

Phone: +2202978377583

Job: Administration Engineer

Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.