Despite the name, this Easy Swiss Steak tastes like All-American food to me. This hearty cube steak recipe is easy to make, low in fat, and just right to warm up with on a cool evening.
Easy Swiss Steak Vs. a Blue-Plate Special
I was all ready to talk about how this Easy Swiss Steak would be perfect for a blue-plate special. Then I started thinking about where the name “blue-plate special” came from, which took me to Wikipedia of course. As it turns out, originally diners served these daily specials on blue divided plates like this one:
Well, that kinda ruins my plan seeing as how this Swiss steak is a one-dish meal. Unless you wanted to be a weirdo and put rice in one compartment, carrots and onions in another, and put the meat in the big part, it’s really not meant for a divided plate.
Why I Love Divided Plates?
Instead of talking about how this meal is like a blue-plate special since it’s really not, let’s talk about how much I used to love divided plates. When I was a kid, if I could have had a divided plate at every meal (dinner at least), I would have been in heaven.
Besides obvious things like red beans on rice or gravy on mashed potatoes, I didn’t like my food to touch. Not only did I like everything on my plate to be segregated, but I also liked to eat one thing completely before moving on to the next. I’m glad to tell you that I now let my food touch the plate. I even mix turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce all in one bite. This gives me hope that my picky kids will eat like normal people one day.
How to Make the Easy Swiss Steak Recipe
This Swiss steak is easy, low in fat, and loaded with tomato flavor. It tastes a bit like a beef stew but with a different texture from the cube steaks instead of chunks of stew meat. It calls for a whole can of tomato paste, but it would also be great for using the rest of a can after you’ve used a tablespoon for something else and don’t know what to do with the rest. I haven’t tried this one in the slow cooker, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work great cooked on low all day. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 120 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1 sweet onion cut in half and sliced
- 3 carrots peeled and cut into rings
- 2 cloves garlic crushed or minced
- 16 oz. cube steaks
- salt and pepper or seasoned salt
- 15 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
- 6 oz. can tomato paste
- 16 oz. can beef broth
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- cooked rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles
Ingredients
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- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a deep 10" or 12" skillet. Add onions and carrots, and sauté until onions are tender. Stir in garlic, and cook 1-2 minutes longer.
- Lightly sprinkle both sides of cube steaks with salt and pepper or seasoned salt. Place meat on top of onions and carrots. Pour tomatoes over the meat.
- Stir tomato paste, beef broth, and oregano together in a small bowl with a fork. Pour over meat.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Cover skillet mostly with a lid, making it a little offset so steam can escape and the sauce can reduce but tomato sauce doesn't splatter all over your stovetop.
- Serve over rice, potatoes, or noodles.
- This 10″ iron skillet is my favorite pan for this recipe.
You’ll also love these fork-tender skillet beef dishes:
Peggy says
I never that that cube steaks could be so tender. Thanks for one of my husband’s favorite dishes! He never participated in the weekly menu. Now he asks for his favorite ☺
Debi says
I made this tonight. At first I wasn’t sure, but once it all came together it was really good.
Thanks for sharing
Emily says
Awesome recipe! So much like grandma’s old recipe! But she always sprinkled the steaks with flour and browned them up for a bit first. I also add 2-3 tablespoons of Worcestershire to bump up the flavor of the sauce a bit. Love it!
Beth says
We tried this and it was awesome. I even got a “you’ve got to make this again” from my chef husband. I am trying it in the crockpot tonight..we will see how it goes.
Andi Gleeson says
Oh, I’m so happy to hear it! Thank you, Beth!
Becky Turner says
How was this in a crockpot? Same instructions? I want to try it but crockpot appeals more to me than stovetop
Christina says
Hi Andi! All your recipes sound and look delicious! Especially the steak recipes. I remember my mom making Swiss Steak when we were growing up. I really wasn’t sure how she prepared it, so thanks for the starting point. Can’t wait to try it. Thank you so much! Have an awesome weekend! All the best! ?
Andi Gleeson says
That is so sweet of you, Christina. Thank you! I hope this recipe is a close match to what you remember from childhood. Thank you!
Jeff says
Please sign me up for you newsletter. I tried to sign up but my tablet got kicked off. Thank you
Andi Gleeson says
Will do, Jeff. You’ll get your first email tomorrow. Thanks so much!
Connie | URBAN BAKES says
Mmm having this meal would be perfect to have right now. You make some amazing meals!
Love it!
Andi says
Thank you, Connie! You make some amazing desserts, which is not my strong suit :)
Jan says
Used to make something like this years ago, and this recipe looks wonderful. I think I will give it a try next week in the slow cooker and let you know how it works.
Andi says
Please do, Jan. I think it will turn out well! Thank you :)
Becky Turner says
How was this in a crockpot? Same instructions? I want to try it but crockpot appeals more to me than stovetop.
Annie @Maebells says
This is such perfect comfort food! Today is our first real cool day here and it has me craving warm comforting foods like this!
Andi says
Thank you! I love dinners like this on cool nights. Stay warm, Annie!
Laura O| Petite Allergy Treats says
This brings back memories… we always had a similar dish but without the nice divider plates. Complete comfort food that’s also easy to prepare. My husband would love this!
Andi says
From all the comments this seems to be a dish everyone’s mom used to make. Maybe I’m turning into my mother ;)
Nancy [email protected] says
I has been so long since I had cube steak! My mom used to make it just with a little flour but I am totally loving this version instead with the added rice and veggies!
Andi says
Hi, Nancy! My other cube steak recipe is dredged in flour and then cooked in broth, but I liked this tomato version too.
Ginny McMeans says
I didn’t know that the saying came from that! I remember a blue plate special at Woolworths a million years ago but their plates weren’t even blue. Your red and white plate shows off that beautiful meal much better!
Andi says
Thanks, Ginny! I thought it was interesting about the blue plates too. I think now if you order the blue plate special at most diners it just comes on a plain old plate, which makes it seem less special ;)
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
I’ve been craving a stewy steak this week – sounds delicious! What a funny fact about the blue plate special! I feel like those are the plates my parents have in their camping gear;)
Andi says
Maybe their camping plates are vintage :) Thanks so much, Sarah!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
Mmm Andi, this is bonafide comfort food. I remember my mom making something like this when we were growing up and now seeing it here is making me all nostalgic and hungry. And my little brother was just like you with the divided plate! He would not eat if his food was touching, so my mom always had to give him his food on one, too. I think he’s okay with a little bit of food-mixing now, as well! :)
Andi says
I’m glad this one brought back memories for you, Ashlyn! I’m glad your brother and I are able to eat like somewhat normal people now ;) Thank you!