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Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Recipes

Classic Swiss Steak in a Slow Cooker or Oven

Published: Aug 17, 2018 Last Updated: Jun 8, 2020 by Marye 1278 words. | About 7 minutes to read this article.

Classic Swiss Steak is the perfect family dinner any time of the year! It's an easy recipe for an old fashioned favorite that can be made in an oven or slow cooker. This is comfort food at its best - inexpensive, filling, and deliciously reminiscent of your grandmother's kitchen. Freezes well.
Total time 8 hours 30 minutes
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Closeup of finished recipe with text overlay for Pinterest

Like salisbury steak, this is comfort food at its best - inexpensive, filling, and deliciously reminiscent of your grandmother's kitchen. 

Swiss steak on a small vintage plate on a chippy green background.

This post was updated from the July 2009 version. Last update: August 2018

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love it
  • Serve with...
  • FAQs
  • Instructions
  • Tips
  • Equipment
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

For this recipe you'll need: flour, salt, pepper, Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning (optional), onion, celery, carrots, parsley, jalapeno (optional), canned tomatoes, brown sugar, Worcetershire sauce, beef stock or water

Why you'll love it

Probably one of my favorite recipes next to a good pot roast, classic Swiss Steak is cooked slowly in tomatoes, peppers, onions, carrots, and celery.

The tomato helps to tenderize the meat. The flavor is so incredible that it's totally understandable why it was so popular with Mrs. Cleaver's crowd back in the mid-20th century!

This is one of those comfort food recipes that you'll serve again and again. It's budget friendly, delicious, and filling

One thing I do a little differently is to add chopped Poblano or jalapeno pepper in place of the bell pepper. It adds just a touch of spice that I love.

Because it is one of those vintage recipes that tugs on my heartstrings I like to serve it with classic side dishes - sort of a Blue Plate Special, you know?

Swiss Steak or Beef with Red Eye Gravy...maybe some saucy pork chops ah, the keys to my heart

Serve with...

If you're drawing a blank when it comes to what to serve with this dinner here are some ideas. Some are classic and some are not... because you know... at Restless Chipotle we don't dish up predictable!

  • Cheese grits
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Scalloped potatoes
  • Potatoes au Gratin
  • Rice
  • Buttered noodles
  • Biscuits  (spoon the meat right over a couple of buttered biscuits on a plate)
  • Thick toast (see above)
  • Cornbread casserole
  • Corn Bacon Casserole

Add some buttered and seasoned green beans or a wedge salad and you're good to go. Of course homemade rolls are always nice, too!

Closeup image of Swiss steak.
Round steak gets fall apart tender in the slow cooker!

FAQs

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

Cooking level: Beginner - this is a super easy recipe anyone can make.

What is a swiss steak cut of meat?

Round steak is most often used for swiss steak but you can also use a chuck shoulder steak or other normally tough cut of beef. The long braising time tenderizes it beautifully.

Why do they call it Swiss steak?

Swissing is another term for the process of tenderizing the steak before cooking - it has nothing to do with Switzerland or cheese! The original term came from a British term for describing how fabric is stretched between rollers.

How do you make Swiss steak?

You can make it in an oven or slow cooker - either is fine as long as it gets long, slow cooking on a low heat. There are notes in the recipe below for making swiss steak in an oven.

What steak to purchase for swiss steak?

I like cubed steak the best. It's round steak that's been tenderized.

Instructions

This is one of the easiest recipes that you'll ever make, I promise!

The ingredients for this Swiss Steak recipe on a counter.

Slow Cooker Instructions

  1. Let the meat sit out for 15 to 30 minutes to take the chill off if you have time. It will cook more evenly.
  2. Will you're waiting mix the flour, herbs, spices, and brown sugar and chop the vegetables.
  3. Add them to the slow cooker.
  4. Pound the steak with the spiky side of the meat mallet - watch your fingers!
  5. Flip it and pound the other side. You want to break up all of the tough fibers to ensure your Swiss Steak is tender.
  6. Cut the beef into serving sized pieces.
  7. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet until it shimmers.
  8. Add the meat without over crowding it and cook just until it's golden.
  9. Flip and repeat.
  10. Repeat with all the pieces of beef.
  11. Remove the beef from the skillet and add to the slow cooker.
  12. Add the beef broth to the hot skillet and cook, scraping the bottom of the skillet with the spatula. This will only take a minute or two.
  13. Pour the hot liquid and Worcestershire into the slow cooker, stir, and put the top on.
  14. Set on low and cook for 8 hours.
Step by Step images for making classic swiss steak.
Swiss Steak is so easy! Just 1. Chop your vegetables. 2.Brown the beef. 3. Put in the slow cooker and wait. Waiting is the hardest part!

Oven Instructions for Swiss Steak

  • Follow the above instructions but use a baking dish instead of slow cooker.
  • Preheat the oven to 300F.
  • Cover the baking dish tightly with foil
  • Bake for 2 to 2 ½ hours.
  • Take the foil off carefully so you don't get a steam burn.

Tips

  • Save time by buying the prechopped vegetables.
  • If you buy "cubed" steak you won't have to pound it with the mallet.
  • Skip dredging the beef in the flour and just toss it in the slow cooker - you'll lose some flavor but save about 10 minutes.
  • Instead  of making potatoes or rice to go with this make toast and serve it over the toast.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!

. If you need a slow cooker consider this Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker on Amazon. It’s the one I bought for one of my military kids a couple of years ago and I really like it. You can program it so that your food is ready when you are – makes it even easier than a regular slow cooker!

Closeup of swiss steak dinner garnished with chopped parsley

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars. Thanks!

📖 Recipe

FinishedSwisssteakdinner smallimageforrecipecard
4.39 from 49 votes

Swiss Steak

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Classic Swiss Steak is the perfect family dinner any time of the year! It's an easy recipe for an old fashioned favorite that can be made in an oven or slow cooker. This is comfort food at its best - inexpensive, filling, and deliciously reminiscent of your grandmother's kitchen. Freezes well.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Amercian Heritage
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings:8 servings
Calories:300
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds round steak, , I use Certified Angus Beef
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Tony Chachere’s seasoning
  • olive oil
  • 1 cup onion, ,sliced
  • 1 cup celery, ,sliced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, ,chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, , chopped
  • 25 ounces tomatoes, , canned or home canned stewed tomatoes
  • 1 cup carrots, , sliced
  • ½ cup beef stock, , or water
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup parsley, chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Place the chopped vegetables, tomatoes, and garlic into a slow cooker.
  • Pound meat until thin with a meat mallet.
  • Mix flour, salt, pepper, brown sugar, and Creole Seasoning.
  • Dredge the meat in the flour mixture and rub it in.
  • Cut the meat in serving sized pieces.
  • Add about 2 tbs of olive oil to a heavy skillet.
  • Heat oil  until it shimmers a bit then carefully add steak
  • Fry until just golden
  • Flip and fry on the other side.
  • Repeat with all steaks. You may need to add a little more olive oil
  • Place the steaks over the vegetables in the slow cooker.
  • Add the beef stock to the hot pan.
  • Stir and scrape the bottom with a spatula to get up any bits of meat that are stuck.
  • Pour the stock over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
  • Add Worcestershire sauce and cook on low for 8 hours.

Notes

  • You can make this in the oven, too. Just put the ingredients in a baking dish instead of a slow cooker, cover tightly with foil, and bake at 300F for 2 hours.
  • This recipe freezes well.
  • Save time by buying the prechopped vegetables.
  • If you buy "cubed" steak you won't have to pound it with the mallet.
  • Skip dredging the beef in the flour and just toss it in the slow cooker - you'll lose some flavor but save about 10 minutes.
  • Instead  of making potatoes or rice to go with this make toast and serve it over the toast.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 340mg | Potassium: 996mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3745IU | Vitamin C: 18.4mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 4.5mg

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. marye kandzor

      July 02, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      This is so very good. Everytime my grandson comes to visit I make this
      I grew up with a version not as good as your recipe We all love this
      old recipe.

      I make this recipe everytime my grandson comes he loves it
      We do too. I grew up with this dish but yours is so very good I use your recipe

      Reply
    2. Monica

      June 09, 2022 at 8:54 pm

      This is not a classic Swiss steak recipe. You may want to rename it. Classic Swiss steak does not have jalapeños, olive oil, or Tony Chachere’s seasoning in it.

      Reply
      • Marye

        June 10, 2022 at 12:55 am

        Feel free to leave those things out if you don't care for them. I think the name is fine the way it is but I'll take your opinion under serious consideration.

    3. Grammy

      March 14, 2021 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe does not remind me of my mothers. She was a meat and potato, no fuss-no muss, salt and pepper only cook. I truly appreciate recipes that meld the old with new spice combinations to make something great. I also always gravitate to recipes that include vegetables, for a one pot meal. I doubled the amount, made mashed potatoes, and we feasted on this terrific recipe. Thank you

      Reply
    4. Laila

      February 01, 2021 at 11:47 am

      Made this yesterday, delicious, and the house smelled wonderful. Love your recipes!

      Reply
    5. Marye

      January 29, 2021 at 6:26 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for a grandson
      He loved it and still wants it made when he comes
      It reminds me of my Moms.
      Excellent recipe

      Reply
    6. Denis O'keefe

      October 22, 2020 at 6:43 am

      5 stars
      Hello Marye
      This comes to you from Australia (Down Under)
      I Started following your recipes when I was looking to make some bread.
      I follow all your recipes make some of them, and enjoy doing so.
      I particularly like slow cooking and even play around with sous vide
      One of the problems we have down here, is understanding what you call some things,
      as they are literally "Foreign" to us but we get by with a little research.
      One of the Major problems though is your bought mixes like Tony Chachere's seasoning
      and a few others like Bay city that we don't have here.
      It would be nice if you could give an idea of what some of these things are.

      Reply
      • Marye

        October 22, 2020 at 7:58 am

        Denis - Thank you! It's hard sometimes to remember that all y'all aren't from around here. Tony Chacheres is a spice mix that contains cayenne, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and chili powder.

    7. Dorthy Owen

      June 06, 2019 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love Swiss steak! I cooked this as a Sunday fund raising dinner for our local senior center and everyone commented on how tender and delicious this main course was. We served mashed potatoes and green beans along with the steak. I used several electric skillets to cook the steak to finish as did not have oven or slow cookers enough for the job. Several ladies in town lent their electric skillets for this meal. We served a total of 125 adults plus numerous children. Needless to say it was a Hugh success ! I give it 5 stars easily!!!!

      Reply
      • Marye

        June 06, 2019 at 2:05 pm

        🙂 So good to hear!

    8. Chris Casey

      March 28, 2019 at 11:38 am

      You asked for our favorite Dinner dishes; mine is Pork Tenderloin sandwich. I grew up in Iowa so pork was on the menu often. This sandwich is still very popular in the Midwest. Start with a 1/2" thick slice of tenderloin, pound to a fairly thin slice, dip in an egg wash and bread with Panko, and fry. The cook very quickly and are out of this world. I make them at least once a month.

      often. This sandwich is still very popular in the Midwest. Is made by pounding a 1/2" thick slice of tenderloin tine, dipping the meat in an egg wash and the breading with panko.

      Reply
      • Marye

        March 28, 2019 at 2:52 pm

        That sounds amazing - now I'm hungry!

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