Slow Cooker Swiss Steak is pretty serious comfort food. And when I was growing up it was something my Mom would make on a regular basis. The only difference is that my mom's Swiss steak was made on the stove top and I make my old-fashioned Swiss Steak recipe in the slow cooker because I can dump and go!
That way I come home to a delicious hot meal at the end of a workday, that I didn't even have to slave over. Plus, it's Weight Watchers friendly! Made with a rich tomato gravy, this Crock Pot Smothered Swiss Steak recipe is a flavorful meal that makes a great Sunday dinner but it also perfect for a busy weeknight!
Jump to:
💭What is Swiss Steak?
Swiss steak is called such not because it's from Switzerland, but because it's swissed, which is a process of tenderizing the meat by rolling or pounding it prior to cooking. In the UK and in some parts of the United States it's also called smothered steak. However, because of the slow cooking process, “swissing” the meat is not even necessary in this recipe. The slow cooker even does that for you!
🥘 Ingredients
This Slow Cooker Swiss Steak with tomatoes (smothered steak) is the ultimate comfort food and a true dump and go recipe, with very little prep time (no precooking required)! That's the beauty of the slow cooker - it does all the heavy lifting for you. You don't have to use a top round steak and can use a tougher bottom round steak or other tougher cuts of meat (which is more economical) because the slow cooker tenderizes the meat for you as it cooks. And this Slow Cooker Swiss Steak is no exception. Not to mention, you only need a few ingredients, including:
- round steak
- canned diced tomatoes
- canned mushrooms
- onion
- green pepper
- garlic
- cornstarch
🍽Equipment
You'll need a 6 quart slow cooker for this Slow cooker swiss steak recipe. *see recipe card for equipment recommendations
🍲 Should you buy an Instant Pot?
I LOVE small appliances and if I had the room I'd buy them all! But the slow cooker has got to be my absolute fave small appliance because, as I said, it does the work for me. When the Instant pot became a huge trend, I'll admit I was nearly seduced into getting one; like sooo close! But then I read this article and it changed my mind: Is the Instant Pot Worth the Hype?
Since the Instant Pot really only cooks the recipe in about HALF the time, it really wasn't worth it for me. When I make something in my slow cooker I'm not generally sitting around waiting for it to cook; I'm using it because I'm going to work, out for the day or busy doing other things. So to buy another appliance that does the same job, but in half the time (making my meal in 4 hours instead of 8) doesn't make sense to me. And I've never felt a need to buy a pressure cooker anyway, so why would I get yet another small appliance that I don't have room to store? As far as I'm concerned, the slow cooker is still king!
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Steak - you can use chuck steak, blade steak or cubed steak
- Bell peppers - you can use red, yellow or orange bell peppers instead of green bell pepper
- Onions - you can use a sweet onion instead of a white onion
- Tomatoes - you can use crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce instead of diced
- Spicy - add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or serve or Chipotle Mashed Potatoes (shown below).
🌡️Storage
Store leftover swiss steak in an airtight container in the fridge for 3- 4 days. Leftovers freeze well for up to 3 months in a sealed container.
👪 Serving Size
This crockpot swiss steak recipe makes 8 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🔢WW POINTS
This smothered steak is 6-8 WW points, depending on the type of steak you use (6 is chuck steak- look for a leaner cut, if possible). The type of rice you use needs to be calculated separately.
🥗 Pairing Dishes
Swiss steak is ideal served over rice or mashed potatoes, with salad or veggies on the side!
This Swiss Steak crock pot recipe requires no pre-cooking and is the ultimate comfort food and dump and go recipe! I love this recipe because it’s not only easy and there's very few ingredients and the crockpot does ALL the work! It's also economical because you use a tougher cut of meat that's less expensive (round steak).
So, if you are looking for an easy dinner recipe, give this Slow Cooker Smothered Swiss Steak a try and come home from a busy day to a delicious hot meal!
🦺FOOD SAFETY
- Wash vegetables and fruit before eating (even if it says pre-washed)!
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
⭐ COMMENTS & REVIEWS
Did you know that commenting and rating recipes is one of the best ways to support your favorite recipe creators? If you loved this recipe, please comment and rate it in the recipe card or share photos on social media using the hashtag #foodmeanderings or tagging @foodmeanderings !
Looking for more easy steak recipes? Try my Pan Fried Venison Steak recipe!
📋 Slow Cooker Smothered Swiss Steak Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lbs round steak, chuck steak or blade steak *about 5-6 steaks
- 28 oz -can of diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 diced onion
- 1 cup fresh white mushrooms * or can substitute 10 oz canned mushrooms
- 1 whole green pepper, chopped
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Spray inside of slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Add steak to bottom of slow cooker.
- Add diced tomatoes, garlic, chopped onion, green pepper and mushrooms
- Cook for 6-8 hours on low heat or until meat is tender.
- When done, if you want the sauce thicker, add 1-2 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water (to make a cornstarch slurry) and cook for 20 minutes on high.Or you can add a little tomato paste to thicken it!
- Serve over rice (I use brown minute rice), cauliflower rice, mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
ROBERT HEAPS
Does the meat go in whole, or cut into strips or chunks before cooking? I plan on making this tomorrow
Terri Gilson
Hi Robert: I do not cut it- just put it in whole. Enjoy!
Joycelyn
No seasoning besides garlic and onion?
Terri Gilson
Yup! That’s all I use!
Denise@urbnspice
I also love the slow cooker, Terri (and don't own an instant pot or pressure cooker either). Your recipe for slow cooker Swiss steak sounds wonderful. The combination of ingredients are exactly what I would enjoy in this comforting dish. Many thanks for sharing - I know that I will be trying it soon.
Colleen
I am with you on the instant pot, Terri. And I love my slow cooker, so this recipe (which I remember from childhood, but have never made) is what I'm making in it next! Thanks for sharing!
Terri Gilson
Awesome - hope you enjoy it, Colleen!
Ann
My dad used to make swiss steak all the time! I always assumed it was actually Swiss haha. Thanks for clearing that up and for reminding me about this delicious recipe :). Will have to try it!
Terri Gilson
Haha, Ann.. me too! I didn't realize it wasn't actually Swiss until I started researching it!