Swiss Steak was one of the recipes in the cookbook that my mother made for me, when I got married. She typed up all our family recipes, and assembled them into a little book, that I still use.
In the picture below, you can see the Swiss Steak page, spattered with grease. That’s how you can tell that it’s a family favourite!

Make Swiss Steak in Slow Cooker
These days, I usually make the Swiss Steak in a slow cooker, where it can cook all day, without heating up the house.
I’ve adapted Mom’s stove top recipe, and you can follow our recipe, with step-by-step instructions, below.
- Tip: I usually make half the recipe, which is just right for two people, with a little left over for lunch the next day.
Slow Cooker Swiss Steak
6 servings Cook 8-10 hrs (low)
Ingredients
- 2 lb round or chuck steak, ½” to 1″ thick
- ¼ c flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 2 c. canned diced tomatoes
Directions
Note: There are step-by-steps instructions in the next section, with photos
- Cut steak into serving pieces and dredge with combined flour and seasoning.
- Brown meat in 1 tbsp oil, in heavy frying pan, over medium-high heat, turning to brown each side (about 2 minutes per side).
- Put meat into slow cooker, in single layer, if possible.
- Reduce heat to medium, and in frying pan, add remaining 1 tbsp oil and onion.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are lightly browned.
- Add onions to slow cooker, spreading evenly over the steak.
- If using wine, add to frying pan, and stir gently, to deglaze the pan.
- Add wine to slow cooker.
- Add tomatoes to slow cooker, over the meat and onions.
- Cover slow cooker, and cook on high for 3-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours.
- Adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve with rice or potatoes.
Step by Step – With Photos
Here are the Slow Cooker Swiss Steak steps again, with photos.
1. Cut steak into serving pieces and dredge with combined flour and seasoning

2. Brown meat in 1 tbsp oil, in heavy frying pan, over medium-high heat, turning to brown each side (about 2 minutes per side).

3. Put meat into slow cooker, in a single layer, if possible.

4. Reduce heat to medium, and in frying pan, add remaining 1 tbsp oil and onion.
5. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are lightly browned.

6. Add onions to slow cooker, spreading evenly over the steak.

7. If you’re using wine, add it to frying pan, and stir gently, to deglaze the pan.

8. Add the wine to the slow cooker.

9. Add tomatoes to slow cooker, over the meat and onions.

10. Cover slow cooker, and cook on high for 3-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours.
11. Adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve with rice or potatoes

And sometimes I add a bit of chopped fresh parsley to mine!

Slow Cooker Swiss Steak

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