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This easy Instant Pot Swiss Steak recipe is made in the pressure cooker with round steak in a peppery tomato beef sauce. Enjoy this updated vintage recipe!
This pressure cooker Swiss steak recipe is a delicious way to turn a tough, inexpensive cut of meat into an amazingly delicious dinner. In fact, the Hubs says this is probably the best Swiss steak recipe ever!
It’s not one of those Instant Pot recipes where you can dump everything into the pressure cooker and walk away. Swiss steak takes a little more effort, but the results are so worth it. Just think of it as an easy Instant Pot recipe that takes a little more prep work!
Growing up, my mom made Swiss steak in the electric skillet, and it was so good. I recreated her recipe, but I made it on the stove, instead. It was an awesome dinner, but it took about 2 hours to cook.
But, when you make Swiss steak in the Instant Pot, you can have it on the table in about an hour. Not only is it a huge time saver, but it’s also easier since you don’t have to tenderize the meat or stir it during the cooking process.
How to make Swiss Steak in the Instant Pot
What is a Swiss steak cut of meat?
I used bottom round for Swiss steak since that’s what my mom always used. You can also use cube steak or any inexpensive, aka cheap, cut of beef here.
Just trim the extra fat off of the steak, then season both sides. Next, dredge the meat with a little corn starch or flour. I use cornstarch, but traditionally, you would use flour.
You have to brown the meat in the Instant Pot using the Saute setting. It’s easier to brown meat when it’s not crowded, so you’ll have to brown 2 or 3 pieces at a time.
After you brown a couple of steaks on both sides, put them on a plate and cover with foil, until you finish browning the remaining meat.
Next, add the onions and peppers, and cook until they’re slightly soft. Stir them to make sure they cook evenly.
There will probably be some browned bits stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot, so you’ll have to deglaze the pot with a little beef broth. Just pour the broth in, and use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape those lovely bits flavor off of the pot!
Next, add the meat back into the pressure cooker. Then, pour in the remaining broth and top with some crushed tomato puree.
Pressure cook it, and in about 30 minutes, the steak is done! You can use the sauce as is, or you can saute to reduce and thicken the sauce. For even thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry.
I like to serve Instant Pot Swiss steak over mashed potatoes or egg noodles. But, you can serve it over rice or even eat it just as it is.
If you want to make steak in the Instant Pot, this is the recipe to use! It’s tender, filled with flavor and so good!
Can you cook Swiss steak on the stove?
Definitely! I have an easy Swiss steak recipe for the stove right here. You can also use an electric skillet if you have one.
Recipe for Instant Pot Swiss Steak
Instant Pot Swiss Steak
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bottom round steak, trimmed and sliced into large squares
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium white or yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 2 bell peppers, seeded and diced
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes
Instructions
- Season the sliced round steak on both sides with garlic powder, sea salt and black pepper
- Lightly dredge the meat on both sides with the corn starch
- Press SAUTE on the Instant Pot, and when it reads Hot, add the oil. Working in batches, brown the round steak on both sides, then place on a plate, and cover with foil until all of the steak in browned
- Add the diced onions and peppers to the pot, and cook until slightly soft, stirring frequently
- Add some of the beef broth, and stir with spatula or wooden spoon to deglaze the pot and release any browned bits on the bottom of the pot
- Hit CANCEL, then add the round steak back to the pot. Pour remaining beef broth over and around steak, and top with the crushed tomatoes. Don't stir!
- Place lid on pot, turn valve to Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 30 minutes. After 30 minute cook time, allow a 10 minute natural release, then hit CANCEL and turn valve to Venting position to release remaining pressure
- When pin drops, open lid, and remove steak to a large casserole dish or platter. For thicker gravy, hit SAUTE and boil to reduce sauce. Or, mix 1 tablespoon corn starch with 1 tablespoon cold water until smooth, then stir boiling sauce to thicken even more
- Pour sauce over steak, and serve
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I hope you enjoy this easy Instant Pot Swiss Steak recipe as much as we do!
on a whim, I bought an instant pot and in the parking lot of the grocery store found your recipe. Made it when I got home and it’s delicious! Tastes just like my mom used to make. Will definitely be making again. Thanks!
Thank you so much, Kerry! I’m so happy to hear this!
Loved it, came out prefect.
Awesome! I’m so glad you liked it, Bonnie!
This is a great recipe and I make it just like the recipe says every time I make it and my family always loves it! I really hate how people change the recipe and then leave a comment with what they changed in the comments.If you make changes fine but just keep it to yourself please.This is a perfect recipe so just say it was good and move on.
I’m so glad you like the recipe, Laurie. Thank you so much for your kind words!
Just made this and the sauce was great and meat was very tender. I only had some very, very thin slices of round steak that was a mistake by my grocery pick up, so I didn’t love the meat but will definitely try again with round or cube steak. Overall the recipie was so close to what I remember my grandma making
Thanks, Dawn. I hope you get a chance to make it again. 🙂
Second time I’ve made this delicious dish with just a few minor changes. I leave the peppers & onion in thick slices & used a can of stewed tomatoes because we like the veggies. The Instant Pot really cooks them down otherwise. I used more cornstarch than stated cause I always run out. And I use 2 cups of beef broth and thicken it at the end so we can have plenty to put over the long grain brown rice. Thank you for the recipe! It’s a keeper! Looking forward to trying other recipes from your site😍
Thank you so much for the sweet comment and for sharing your tips!
I have been looking for a recipe like this one. My grandma and grandpa used to make something like this. I have been trying to figure out what it could be. I am sure this is it. Thank you for posting.
I hope you like it, Michelle. Let me know how it goes. 🙂
wonderful recipe
Thanks, Bethany! Glad you enjoyed it!
Honestly we had never heard of Swiss steak, but decided to give this recipe a whirl. We were out of bell peppers, so I added a whole can of tomatoes. And boy oh boy this was delicious! We’ll definitely be making this again!
Thank you so much for the sweet comment, Jen. I’m glad you liked it!
This was really good. I couldn’t find round steak at my store, so I subbed tenderized flank steak – really tender. Good flavor, might leave veggies n strips rather than chopped in the future and low pressure. I’m still experimenting with my InstaPot.
I’m so glad you liked it, Jane. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this recipe. Such simple ingredients and truly delicious. The entire family, including three teen boys, raved!
That’s awesome, Sarah. Thank you so much!
I threw everything in the pot without browning or sauteing and it was great – tender meat and veggies. Thanks for the recipe!
That’s good to know, Kimberly! Thanks for sharing!