Pioneer Woman Swiss Steak Recipe

Easy Pioneer Woman Swiss Steak Recipe for Family Dinners

Swiss steak transforms ordinary beef into a mouthwatering comfort meal that promises deep, robust flavors.

Tender meat becomes incredibly succulent when slowly braised with aromatic vegetables and rich seasonings.

Home cooks adore this classic dish for its simple preparation and impressive results.

The technique involves coating meat in seasoned flour and creating a luxurious sauce that infuses every tender bite.

Slow cooking allows tough cuts to break down, resulting in meat so soft it practically melts on your tongue.

Generations have celebrated this hearty recipe as a quintessential family dinner staple.

Warm, satisfying flavors will draw everyone eagerly to the table: dive in and savor every delicious moment.

Why Pioneer Woman’s Swiss Steak Recipe is a Hearty Delight

Why Pioneer Woman’s Swiss Steak Recipe is a Hearty Delight
  • Tenderize and Transform: This recipe magically turns tough beef cuts into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness through careful tenderizing and slow cooking techniques that break down muscle fibers.
  • Flavor-Packed Comfort: Packed with rich, robust flavors from smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and slow-simmered vegetables, this dish delivers incredible depth that warms you from the inside out.
  • One-Pot Wonder: Minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience, this Swiss steak recipe allows you to brown, sauté, and bake everything in a single Dutch oven, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum taste with minimal effort.
  • Restaurant-Quality Home Cooking: By using professional techniques like flour dredging, precise browning, and low-and-slow oven braising, you'll create a restaurant-worthy meal that impresses family and friends without requiring advanced culinary skills.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Swiss Steak Recipe

Main Protein:
  • Beef Steak: Rich, flavorful cut perfect for slow cooking and tenderizing.
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance meat's natural flavor.
Flour and Oil:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a crispy coating and thickens sauce.
  • Vegetable Oil, Bacon Drippings: Provides fat for browning and adds deep flavor.
Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Onions, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that build a rich flavor base.
  • Garlic: Adds depth and pungent undertone to the dish.
  • Tomato Paste: Concentrates and deepens tomato flavor.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Provides moisture and tangy background to the sauce.
  • Smoked Paprika, Dried Oregano: Offers warm, earthy spice notes.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complex, umami undertone.
  • Beef Broth: Creates a savory liquid base for braising the meat.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Swiss Steak Recipe

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Swiss Steak Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Beef

Crank up your oven to 325°F. Slice beef into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Season both sides with:
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Dust beef slices lightly with all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.

Step 2: Tenderize the Meat

Use a meat tenderizer to flatten beef slices to 1/4-inch thickness. Re-coat tenderized slices in flour for extra crispy coverage.

Step 3: Create Golden Crust

Heat vegetable oil or bacon drippings in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef slices in batches for 2 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Build Flavor Base

Lower heat to medium. Sauté in the same pot:
  • Sliced onions
  • Minced garlic
  • Chopped celery

Cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook 1 minute more.

Step 5: Create Savory Sauce

Stir in remaining ingredients:
  • Diced tomatoes with juices
  • Smoked paprika
  • Dried oregano
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Beef broth

Mix thoroughly to combine flavors.

Step 6: Slow Bake to Perfection

Return browned beef to the pot, ensuring meat is covered by liquid. Cover with lid and transfer to oven. Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Pro Tips for Pioneer Woman’s Swiss Steak Recipe

  • Savor Flavor Depth: Let browned meat bits caramelize, creating a rich, complex sauce base that elevates the entire dish.
  • Master Slow-Cooking Magic: Gentle, low-temperature cooking transforms tough meat into mouthwatering, tender bites that fall apart effortlessly.
  • Perfect Batch-Browning Strategy: Sear meat in small groups to maintain scorching pan heat, ensuring a golden-brown crust without steamy interference.
  • Tenderize Like a Pro: Gently pound meat with a mallet, breaking down muscle fibers to guarantee a supremely soft texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Smart Meat Selection: Pick affordable, tough cuts like round steak or chuck roast that transform into luxurious, tender morsels during cooking.

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Swiss Steak Recipe

  • Quick-Chill Method: Rapidly cool the Swiss steak on a wire rack to prevent bacterial growth. Place the dish in shallow containers to accelerate cooling, ensuring even temperature distribution and maintaining optimal food safety.
  • Portion Preservation: Divide leftover Swiss steak into individual serving sizes before storing. Seal each portion in vacuum-sealed bags or airtight containers to lock in moisture and prevent freezer burn. Label each package with the date and contents for easy tracking.
  • Strategic Freezing Technique: Use heavy-duty freezer bags with a double-seal mechanism to prevent air exposure. Press out excess air before sealing to minimize ice crystal formation. Stack packages flat in the freezer for maximum space efficiency and faster freezing.

Creative Twists on Pioneer Woman’s Swiss Steak Recipe

  • Spicy Southwest Swiss Steak: Replace smoked paprika with chipotle powder and add diced green chilies. Incorporate cumin and chili powder for a bold, zesty Mexican-inspired flavor profile that brings heat and depth to the classic recipe.
  • Mediterranean Herb-Infused Swiss Steak: Swap out dried oregano for fresh rosemary and thyme. Include kalamata olives and a splash of red wine. Add crumbled feta cheese on top after baking to create a Mediterranean-style twist with bright, herbaceous notes.
  • Mushroom Marsala Swiss Steak: Use Marsala wine instead of beef broth and add sliced cremini or wild mushrooms during the vegetable sauté stage. Incorporate a touch of heavy cream before serving to create a rich, earthy version that elevates the traditional Swiss steak preparation.
  • Asian-Inspired Ginger Swiss Steak: Introduce fresh grated ginger and replace Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce. Add a tablespoon of rice vinegar and garnish with chopped green onions. Include a small amount of sesame oil for an authentic Asian flavor profile that transforms the classic recipe.

Final Thoughts on Pioneer Woman’s Swiss Steak Recipe

Hearty Pioneer Woman Swiss Steak emerges as comfort cuisine perfection, blending rustic charm with deep flavor profiles.

Tender beef medallions nestled in rich tomato sauce create culinary magic that warms souls and satisfies hunger.

Generations of home cooks have cherished this classic recipe, transforming simple ingredients into remarkable meals.

Skilled kitchen adventurers can master this technique with patience and passion for traditional cooking methods.

Home kitchens become flavor sanctuaries when preparing this delectable dish with love and careful attention.

Culinary champions, dive into this recipe, share your delicious results, engage fellow food enthusiasts, and spark conversations about your mouthwatering creation!

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Pioneer Woman Swiss Steak Recipe

Pioneer Woman Swiss Steak Recipe


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4.9 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty Swiss steak from the Pioneer Woman’s kitchen brings comfort and richness to classic midwestern cooking. Rich tomato sauce and tender beef create a satisfying meal that brings families together around the dinner table.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 2 pounds (907 grams) beef bottom round, trimmed of excess fat

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Vegetables and Other Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil or bacon drippings
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 (14.5-ounce / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 ½ cups (354 milliliters) beef broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and prepare the beef by slicing it into 1/2-inch (1.27 centimeters) thick pieces. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Dust the seasoned beef slices with all-purpose flour, carefully shaking off any excess coating to create a light, even layer.
  3. Utilize a meat tenderizer to flatten each beef slice to approximately 1/4-inch (0.64 centimeters) thickness. Lightly re-dredge the tenderized slices in flour to ensure a consistent coating.
  4. Heat vegetable oil or bacon drippings in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Carefully add beef slices in small batches to prevent overcrowding, browning each side for about 2 minutes until a golden crust forms.
  5. Remove the browned beef and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium and add sliced onions, minced garlic, and chopped celery to the same Dutch oven.
  6. Sauté the vegetables until they become soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Incorporate tomato paste and cook for an additional minute to enhance the flavor profile.
  7. Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices, then add smoked paprika, dried oregano, and Worcestershire sauce. Introduce beef broth and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
  8. Carefully return the browned beef to the pot, ensuring the meat is fully submerged in the liquid mixture. Cover with a lid and transfer to the preheated oven.
  9. Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the beef becomes extraordinarily tender and the flavors have thoroughly melded together. The meat should easily pull apart with a fork when fully cooked.

Notes

  • Transforming tough beef cuts into a tender, mouthwatering meal happens through patient, slow-cooking techniques.
  • Breaking down muscle fibers becomes effortless with strategic braising methods that guarantee maximum tenderness.
  • Developing rich, caramelized exterior flavor starts with careful meat browning before introducing liquid ingredients.
  • Creating depth through unexpected spices like smoked paprika introduces sophisticated layers to this classic comfort dish.
  • Weekend meals become extraordinary when home cooks master the art of transforming simple ingredients into memorable dining experiences.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 569 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 758 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 37 g
  • Cholesterol: 97 mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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