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
- 1/2 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
I hope you enjoy this easy Instant Pot Swiss Steak recipe as much as we do!
Kimberly says
I threw everything in the pot without browning or sauteing and it was great – tender meat and veggies. Thanks for the recipe!
Dee says
That’s good to know, Kimberly! Thanks for sharing!
Jeff says
Didn’t expect this to turn out as good as it did! Delicious! I did use sauté at the end to reduce the sauce a little. Meat was fork tender but still holding together, perfection!
Dee says
I’m so glad you liked the steak, Jeff. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
patricia s pumphrey says
what about adding potatoes while cooking
Dee says
I’ve never made it that way, but you could try. I do recommend using whole baby potatoes or larger cut potatoes so that they don’t turn to mush.
Nancy Nicolosi says
Very delicious and the meat was so tender.
Dee says
Thanks, Nancy. So glad you liked the recipe!
Lori says
This was only my second time using my insta pot so you can figure I was a little skeptical about this turning out as good as my moms but I followed it to a T and it was perfect . My husband loved it! My insta pot is definitely a hit in our household ❤️ This recipe was the best!!!!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Lori! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the Swiss Steak!
Lynn says
Who knew instant pot steak would be so easy! This came out perfectly!
Dee says
So happy you liked it, Lynn. Thanks so much!
Diana says
this sounds really good. I alwys used my old Sunbeam electric skillet & cooked it low & slow. It will b hard to resist temptation & not pound the round steak like u do cooking in the skillet
Dee says
That is exactly the way my mom used to make it — I think she even had a Sunbeam skillet!
Angela says
Made it. It was good, but not great. The round steak needed more time to get fall apart render and by that time every single veg was gone. The sauce was good, but missing a depth of flavor that would have made it great. The noodles were a perfect addition, though. I will make again, but will play with spices.
Dee says
Are you sure you have the right recipe? There aren’t vegetables in this unless you count the peppers, and the steak is always done perfectly for us. No noodles, either.
Candy Nigretto says
Thank you for this great recipe! This was my first attempt at cooking in the Instant Pot my husband gave me as a gift. Your instructions were perfect, especially as this was the first time using the Instant Pot. It turned out excellent, and was so delicious over rice. Can’t wait to try more…thanks again!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Candy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Erin Olson says
I wish I would have read all of the instructions before starting dinner, as the cook time was longer than I expected. But no one minded that dinner was late when they tasted it!
Dee says
It’s not a quick dinner, but it’s faster than the stove-top method. Thanks for writing in — so glad you liked it!
Laura says
I used this recipe and made it in my old-school pressure cooker, came out great!
Dee says
Thanks so much, Laura! I’m happy the recipe worked with the old pressure cooker. 🙂
DLock says
Best Swiss steak ever. However, from start to finish it took me two hour and 15 minutes, not 55 minutes. Meat came out perfect and the sauce/gravy went great with garlic mashed potatoes.
Dee says
I’m so glad you liked it! Times do vary, especially with prep, so it’s hard to give an exact time.
Carol King says
When my Mother made this (in her electric skillet), she topped each piece with a lemon slice. Will be trying your IP recipe, adding Mom’s lemon slices before closing the lid. Thanks for a recipe that brought back fond memories!
Dee says
You’re welcome, Carol! Thanks for sharing your mother’s way of making Swiss steak! I love lemon, so I’ll have to try this!
Steve says
Should I add more time if I double the recipe>?
Dee says
No need to add more time. 🙂
Steve says
Thank you Dee!
Dee says
You’re very welcome, Steve.
Tom L says
Very good and so easy
Dee says
Thanks so much, Tom. Glad you enjoyed it!
Vickie weith says
Substituted 1 can cream of mushroom on top inplace of peppers and tomatoes. Thanks for the recipe. It was delicious!!
Dee says
So glad you enjoyed it, Vickie!