featured 6179

Perfect Swiss Steak: Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

The Ultimate Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Swiss Steak Recipe: Tender Beef, Rich Gravy

Prepare to delight your taste buds with this incredibly rich and savory Swiss steak recipe, perfectly adapted for both your slow cooker and Instant Pot. Whether you prefer to prep a comforting meal in the morning that’s ready by dinner or whip up a delicious dish quickly, this recipe offers the flexibility and flavor you crave. Swiss steak is a classic comfort food, known for its fork-tender beef simmered in a hearty, flavorful gravy with tender vegetables. It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights, special family gatherings, or simply when you’re looking for a warm, satisfying meal that truly sticks to your ribs.

White bowl with mashed potatoes in one half and strips of beef and chopped vegetables in the other half, garnished with parsley. To the left of the bowl is a spoon and fork on a red linen napkin. To the right is a wooden cutting board with parsley on it.

This recipe transforms economical cuts of beef into a culinary masterpiece, proving that delicious, nourishing meals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. We’ll guide you through each step to ensure your Swiss steak turns out perfectly every time, packed with a deep, savory flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. From selecting the right cut of beef to achieving that perfect, velvety gravy, we cover all the details to make this classic dish a new favorite in your home.

What is Swiss Steak? A Classic Comfort Food Explained

Swiss steak, despite its name, has no direct connection to Switzerland. The “Swiss” in Swiss steak actually refers to the method of “swissing,” which means tenderizing meat by pounding or rolling it, often before braising. This traditional technique is crucial for breaking down tough cuts of beef, like round steak, ensuring they become incredibly tender when slow-cooked. The result is succulent beef that practically melts in your mouth, enveloped in a rich, flavorful tomato-based gravy filled with aromatic vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions. It’s the epitome of a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal, perfect for a cozy evening.

This dish is beloved for its simplicity and the depth of flavor it achieves with minimal effort, especially when utilizing modern kitchen appliances like the slow cooker or Instant Pot. It’s a fantastic way to stretch a budget-friendly cut of meat into a wholesome, satisfying meal for the entire family. Its versatility also allows for various serving options, making it a truly adaptable recipe for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Swiss Steak Recipe

  • **Effortless Preparation:** Whether you opt for the slow cooker or Instant Pot, the hands-on time is minimal, making it perfect for busy schedules.
  • **Incredible Tenderness:** The long, slow cooking process (or high-pressure cooking) ensures even tougher cuts of beef become incredibly soft and easy to cut.
  • **Rich, Flavorful Gravy:** The combination of diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and sautéed vegetables creates a deep, savory gravy that coats every piece of steak perfectly.
  • **Wholesome & Hearty:** Packed with protein and vegetables, it’s a balanced and satisfying meal that will keep you full and happy.
  • **Versatile Serving Options:** Delicious with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or even a crusty bread to soak up all that wonderful gravy.
  • **Prep Ahead Convenience:** Ideal for meal prepping, as it tastes even better the next day and reheats beautifully.

Ingredients for Savory Swiss Steak

Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards creating this delightful Swiss steak. We focus on fresh, wholesome components that contribute to the dish’s robust flavor profile. Selecting quality round steak and crisp vegetables will make all the difference in the final taste and texture of your meal. The blend of spices and sauces enhances the natural flavors of the beef, creating a gravy that is both rich and perfectly balanced.

Photo is ingredients in separate clear glass bowls: diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, oil, salt and pepper, dry mustard, flour, butter. There are 6 beef steaks on a metal pan. An onion, two carrots, and two stalks of celery are on the counter next to the pan.

  • **Round Steak:** Approximately 1 inch thick, cut into pieces. This cut is perfect for braising, becoming incredibly tender over time.
  • **All-Purpose Flour:** Used for coating the steak, which helps create a delicious crust when browned and thickens the gravy.
  • **Dry Mustard:** Adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor to the seasoning blend.
  • **Salt and Pepper:** Essential seasonings to enhance the overall taste of the beef and gravy.
  • **Butter:** For browning the meat and sautéing vegetables, adding richness.
  • **Vegetable Oil (or similar):** Helps with browning the meat at a higher temperature without burning the butter.
  • **Carrots:** Sliced for sweetness and texture.
  • **Celery:** Chopped for aromatic flavor and texture.
  • **Onion:** Chopped, providing a foundational aromatic base for the gravy.
  • **Diced Tomatoes (Canned):** Forms the base of the savory, slightly acidic gravy.
  • **Worcestershire Sauce:** Adds an umami kick and complex flavor to the sauce.
  • **Brown Sugar:** Balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall depth of flavor.

See the full recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions.

How to Make Savory Swiss Steak (Step-by-Step Guide)

Creating this delicious Swiss steak is a straightforward process, whether you choose the low-and-slow method of a slow cooker or the speed of an Instant Pot. Follow these steps for a perfectly tender and flavorful meal.

1. Prepare and Season the Steak

Begin by patting your round steak pieces dry. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. This mixture will create a flavorful coating for the beef. Dredge each piece of steak thoroughly in this seasoned flour, ensuring an even coat on all sides. This step is crucial not only for seasoning the meat but also for creating a crust during browning and contributing to the gravy’s thickness later.

Flour, dry mustard, salt, and pepper on a white plate. 6 beef steaks on a metal pan.

2. Brown the Beef

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the coated steak pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meat for 2-3 minutes on each side until a rich, golden-brown crust forms. This browning step is essential for developing deep, complex flavors that will infuse the entire dish. Once browned, transfer the steak to your slow cooker. If using an Instant Pot, you will brown directly in the pot on sauté mode.

Three floured beef steaks in a red and white skillet. To the left of the skillet are three plain beef steaks on a metal pan and a white plate with the flour mixture.

Four cooked beef steaks in a red and white skillet. To the left of the skillet is a slow cooker with one cooked steak in it. To the right is a red and white striped dish towel.

3. Sauté the Vegetables

Using the same skillet (or Instant Pot), add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil. Reduce the heat slightly to medium. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté these aromatic vegetables for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become almost tender. This step draws out their natural sweetness and depth, which will contribute significantly to the overall flavor of your gravy. Once sautéed, add the vegetables directly to the slow cooker with the browned meat.

Chopped onion, carrots, and celery in a red and white skillet. There is a wooden spoon in the skillet, and a red and white striped dish towel beside the skillet.

4. Prepare the Rich Gravy

In the same skillet where you browned the meat and sautéed the vegetables, combine the diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring and gently scraping the bottom of the pan to incorporate all the delicious browned bits (pan drippings). This process, known as deglazing, captures all the concentrated flavors left behind by the beef and vegetables, adding incredible richness to your gravy. Continue to cook until the mixture is warmed through and slightly reduced.

Worcestershire sauce and diced tomatoes in a red and white skillet. There is a red and white striped dish towel beside the skillet.

Cooked Worcestershire sauce and tomato mixture in a red and white skillet. There is a red and white striped dish towel beside the skillet.

5. Combine and Cook

Pour the flavorful tomato mixture directly over the browned meat and sautéed vegetables in the slow cooker. Ensure the meat is mostly submerged in the sauce. Place the lid on your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or until the steak is incredibly tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. For an Instant Pot, seal the lid and cook on “Stew” or “Manual” (High Pressure) for 30 minutes, then allow a natural pressure release (NPR) or quick release as preferred. The longer, slower cooking method in a crockpot results in deeper flavor integration, while the Instant Pot provides a quicker, yet equally tender, result.

Chopped onion, carrots, and celery topped with Worcestershire sauce and tomato mixture in a slow cooker. There is a pair of red metal tongs in the slow cooker.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Once your Swiss steak is cooked to perfection, spoon out the tender beef and rich, savory gravy. This dish is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Classic choices include creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy white rice, or even your favorite pasta, all perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delicious sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness, and prepare for a truly satisfying meal that will warm you from the inside out.

White bowl with mashed potatoes in one half and strips of beef and chopped vegetables in the other half, garnished with parsley. To the left of the bowl is a spoon and fork on a red linen napkin. To the right is a wooden cutting board with parsley on it.

Tips for Perfect Swiss Steak

  • **Don’t Skip the Browning:** This step is critical for building flavor. A good sear creates a rich crust and caramelizes the meat, adding depth that slow cooking alone can’t achieve.
  • **Pat the Meat Dry:** Before coating and browning, ensure the steak is patted dry. This helps the flour adhere better and promotes a better sear.
  • **Deglaze Thoroughly:** After browning the meat and sautéing vegetables, don’t leave those flavorful bits (fond) in the pan! Use your liquid to scrape them up. This is where a lot of the sauce’s flavor comes from.
  • **Cut Against the Grain:** When slicing the cooked steak, cut against the grain to maximize tenderness.
  • **Adjust Seasoning:** Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt and pepper if needed. A pinch more brown sugar can balance acidity, or a dash more Worcestershire for umami.
  • **Vegetable Options:** Feel free to add other root vegetables like parsnips or potatoes to the slow cooker during the last few hours of cooking if you desire a more complete one-pot meal.

Serving Suggestions

Swiss steak is a versatile main dish that can be paired with many classic sides to create a complete and satisfying meal. Here are some of our favorite recommendations:

  • **Mashed Potatoes:** The creamy texture of mashed potatoes is a perfect canvas for the rich, savory gravy.
  • **White Rice:** A simple and absorbent choice that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
  • **Egg Noodles or Pasta:** Tossed lightly in the gravy, they make for a hearty and comforting combination.
  • **Crusty Bread:** Essential for dipping into any leftover gravy – don’t let a drop go to waste!
  • **Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus:** A fresh green vegetable provides a nice counterpoint to the richness of the steak.
  • **Side Salad:** A light, crisp salad can add a refreshing element to the meal.

Storage and Reheating

Swiss steak is one of those dishes that often tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld. Leftovers are a true treat!

  • **Refrigeration:** Store any leftover Swiss steak and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • **Freezing:** For longer storage, Swiss steak freezes exceptionally well. Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • **Reheating:** To reheat, gently warm the Swiss steak and gravy on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, covering them to prevent drying out. If the gravy has thickened too much, add a splash of beef broth or water to achieve your desired consistency.

Recipe

White bowl with mashed potatoes in one half and strips of beef and chopped vegetables in the other half, garnished with parsley. The bowl is on a red linen napkin and there is a fork in the bowl.

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Swiss Steak

No ratings yet
This rich and delicious slow cooker or Instant Pot Swiss steak recipe can be prepped in the morning for the slow cooker or done in the Instant Pot at dinnertime if you prefer.
AuthorMary Ann
Add to CollectionGo to Collections
Add to Shopping ListGo to Shopping List
Print

Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 45 minutes

Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Gluten-free

Servings 6 servings
Calories 292

Ingredients

  

  • 1 ½ lbs round steak, approx. 1 inch thick, cut into 6 pieces
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoon butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoon oil, divided
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 14 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoon brown sugar
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Crockpot Instructions

  • Coat steak with a mixture of flour, mustard, salt, and pepper. In a skillet, brown the meat in 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil. Transfer to a slow cooker.
  • Heat remaining butter and oil in same skillet. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until almost tender, then add to crockpot with meat.
  • In the same skillet, combine tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Heat, scraping up drippings, until skillet is deglazed. Pour tomato mixture over meat.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until tender. Serve meat with vegetable sauce spooned over the steak.

Instant Pot Instructions

  • (Instant Pot instructions are courtesy of Carolyn, who converted the recipe for use in her IP. Note that the venting instructions are *not* tested.)
  • Coat steak with a mixture of flour, mustard, salt, and pepper. On sauté mode, brown the meat in 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil.
  • Remove the steak from the pot and set aside.
  • Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until almost tender.
  • Add the tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar and use it to deglaze the pot.
  • Add the beef back to the pot and stir gently just enough to cover the meat in sauce.
  • Add cover and seal. Cook on Stew mode for 30 minutes.
  • Vent as preferred; NPR was used in Carolyn’s conversion but venting immediately would probably work fine. (Let us know how your method worked in the comments.)

Notes

Nutrition data does not include buttered potatoes.

This recipe is courtesy of Marilyn Moll, who did a guest stint for our meal plans for a week way back in 2005 (when we were doing free meal plans as Menus4Moms), and this is one of the delicious recipes she contributed.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 292 calCarbohydrates: 13 gProtein: 27 gFat: 14 gSodium: 265 mgFiber: 2 gSugar: 5 g

Share
Pin

Recipe courtesy of Marilyn Moll.

We hope this comprehensive guide inspires you to create a truly memorable Swiss steak. Its rich flavors, tender beef, and comforting gravy make it an instant family favorite that you’ll return to again and again. Enjoy the process of bringing this classic dish to life in your kitchen!