Braised Swiss Steak
A hearty braised Swiss steak featuring tender beef, savory tomatoes, onions, and celery, perfect for comforting family dinners with rich flavors and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pat the steak with a damp paper towel to remove excess liquid.
- Combine bread crumbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Place the steak on a wooden board and sprinkle with half of the bread crumb mixture.
- Pound the steak with a wooden mallet to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Turn the steak and repeat the bread crumb sprinkling and pounding on the other side.
- Cut the steak into 6 pieces.
- Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Brown the meat in the melted butter until nicely colored.
- Add stewed tomatoes, sliced onions, Worcestershire sauce, chopped celery, and minced garlic to the Dutch oven.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours until the meat is tender and flavors meld.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider marinating the steak in Worcestershire sauce for a few hours before cooking. If you don't have round steak, flank or chuck steak can work as substitutes. Adding a splash of red wine or beef broth can deepen the sauce's richness. For a bit of sweetness, consider adding a tablespoon of brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Braised Swiss Steak pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice for a hearty meal. Steamed green beans or a fresh salad make excellent sides to balance the richness. For a comforting dessert, try serving alongside Delicious Rice Pudding to complete the meal. A slice of crusty bread is also great for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the steak in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Alternatively, you can warm it in the microwave, covered, in short intervals to ensure it doesn’t dry out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Braised Swiss Steak contains roughly 480 calories, with 5g protein, 25g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (52% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1518mg per serving (66% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can use other cuts such as chuck or flank steak. These cuts will also yield tender results when braised. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if using a thicker cut, ensuring it becomes tender.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! Braised Swiss Steak can be made a day in advance. In fact, the flavors often improve after sitting overnight in the refrigerator. Simply reheat before serving, and it will taste just as delicious.
What can I substitute for stewed tomatoes?
If you don't have stewed tomatoes, you can use diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes. Adding a teaspoon of sugar can help mimic the sweetness of stewed tomatoes if using plain canned varieties.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).