“Whenever my husband desires this dish, I gladly prepare it, calling it ‘Hubby’s Bliss.’”
This traditional recipe uses tougher cuts of round steak that are tenderized, coated in flour, and slowly braised in a flavorful tomato-based sauce until they become fork-tender.
Old-Fashioned Swiss Steak Recipe
Ingredients:
- Round steak (about ½ inch thick) – 1½ pounds
- Salt and black pepper – to taste
- All-purpose flour – ¼ cup
- Olive or vegetable oil – 2 tablespoons
- Large onion, thinly sliced – 1
- Garlic cloves, minced – 2
- Diced tomatoes with juice – 1 can (14½-ounce)
- Worcestershire sauce – 1 teaspoon
- Beef broth or water – ½ cup
- Dried oregano – ½ teaspoon
- Dried thyme – ½ teaspoon
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional) – for garnish
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare Oven and Steak
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Trim any excess fat from the 1½ pounds of steak and cut it into serving-sized pieces. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Coat with Flour
Place the ¼ cup of flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each piece of steak in the flour, shaking off the extra.
Step 3: Brown the Steak
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the floured steak on both sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the steak and set aside.
Step 4: Cook Aromatics
In the same skillet, sauté the thinly sliced onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, taking care not to burn it.
Step 5: Combine Ingredients
Return the steak to the skillet on top of the onions. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, oregano, and thyme, mixing well.
Step 6: Braise in Oven
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover tightly with a lid or foil. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and cook for 1½ to 2 hours, until the steak is tender enough to easily pierce with a fork.
Step 7: Serve
Remove the skillet from the oven carefully. Serve the Swiss steak hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
