Description
Slow Cooker Swiss Steak is a classic, comforting dish featuring tender beef round steak simmered slowly in a rich tomato-based gravy with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and aromatic herbs. This easy, hands-off recipe allows you to prepare a hearty meal with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners. The slow cooking process ensures melt-in-your-mouth beef with deep, savory flavors that pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef round steak, trimmed and sliced if desired
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian swap)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (ensure gluten-free if needed)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep and Dredge the Steak: Trim any excess fat from the beef round steak and slice into manageable pieces if desired. In a shallow dish, combine the flour with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge each piece of steak in the flour mixture, coating evenly to add texture and help thicken the sauce during cooking.
- Sear for Extra Flavor (Optional): Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly sear the floured steak pieces until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. This step adds rich caramelized flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
- Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the steak pieces at the bottom of the slow cooker. Top evenly with sliced onions, green bell peppers, and minced garlic. Pour the canned diced tomatoes and beef broth over the top. Add Worcestershire sauce and sprinkle the dried thyme, basil, and oregano over everything. Gently stir a bit to combine some layers but keep most of the steak covered by the sauce.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The low and slow method is preferred for fork-tender beef and thickened, fragrant sauce.
- Adjust Seasonings and Serve: Before serving, taste and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. Serve the Slow Cooker Swiss Steak hot, ideally over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy rice to soak up the delicious gravy.
Notes
- Pat the steak dry before dredging to ensure better searing and sauce consistency.
- Searing the meat is optional but recommended for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Layer vegetables on top of the meat so their juices seep down during cooking.
- Use the low setting on your slow cooker for the most tender results.
- Pre-warm your slow cooker to reduce overall cooking time and improve food safety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: slow cooker, swiss steak, beef recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, hearty meal, tender beef, tomato gravy