Swiss Steak Recipe

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Swiss steak is one of those meals that we used to eat a lot when I was a kid. It’s one of those old fashioned staples that were popular with lots of families in days gone by. And there’s a good reason why it was so popular: it’s inexpensive, feeds the whole family, and isn’t hard to make.

I say that Swiss steak needs to make a comeback because it’s cheap and hearty. But did you know that it’s not from Switzerland, as the name would suggest? It’s actually an English dish that uses a method called “swissing” to pound the meat flat. Because cheaper cuts of meat are usually tougher, they become more tender as they cook if you tenderize them first.

Easy Swiss Steak Recipe

Often confused with Salisbury steak, the two recipes have little in common. Salisbury steak is generally made from ground beef and other fillings, covered with brown gravy. Swiss steak is made from actual steak and is simmered in a tomato-based sauce. Both Salisbury and Swiss steak can be served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.

Another reason Swiss steak needs to make a comeback is that it’s really easy to make. All you need to do is pound flour and seasonings into a 2-pound steak until it’s one inch thick. You briefly fry it in oil in a pan. Then you bake it in the oven for nearly two hours, with tomatoes and onions.

The seasonings cook into the steak over the long cook time, leaving you with a hearty and savory dish. By the time the meat is done the cooking, it’s filled with flavor and falling apart.

Old Fashioned Swiss Steak

Swiss steak reminds me of Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s house when I was growing up. It was one of the regular meals she made. Grandma usually served it over egg noodles and with a shaker of grated Parmesan cheese. And she always had biscuits with butter. Grandma’s house was not a place or time when any of us worried about carbs!

Today I still love to occasionally make old fashioned Swiss steak when I want a taste of comfort food. It reminds me of cozy Sunday afternoons when my whole extended family could be together. Now, like most families, we live far away from most of the rest of our extended family.

Now we have easy ways to make this dish. It’s pretty time consuming, but once you get the meat prepared, the rest is just cooking time. Swiss steak works really well in a slow cooker if you get a craving for this comfort food and don’t want to heat up the house.

If you prefer a thicker tomato gravy for the Swiss steak, you can add a little bit of corn starch to the juices when it is done the cooking. There’s nothing more delicious than tender beef and that slow-simmered tomato gravy.

Maybe you haven’t tried Swiss steak before or you haven’t had it since you were a kid. I’m a big fan of making family traditions because that’s one thing kids will remember about their childhoods. Why not start a new family tradition of making Swiss steak? Maybe you could do it on the same night each week, or even just the same night each month.

What matters most to creating memories and traditions with your kids is just being consistent. Maybe you can make the same meal on the first Sunday of the month. Or you can get the kids to help you make a certain meal. Swiss steak is great comfort food and it’s cheap. Why not give it a try and see what your family thinks of this old fashioned dish?

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf and our Cheese & Roasted Pepper Stuffed Burgers.

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