Let your crock pot do all the work for this deliciously easy Swiss steak meal.
Hey there! It’s that time of the year again – crock pot dinner time! The kiddos are back to school and all their extra activities too. Some nights we don’t get home til after dark. I try to put a crock pot meal down on our menu plan for the days that I know we are going to be home late. I love that I can prep everything in the morning and have dinner ready no matter what time we roll in.
The best part of having a crock pot meal ready to go is the smell when you walk in the house. Your whole house smells of whatever delicious meal you have waiting for you. This crock pot Italian Swiss steak is not only super easy to prep but smells like heaven when cooking.
Crock pot Swiss steak
I remember telling my mom that I had bought a big piece of skirt steak and didn’t know what to do with it. I used half for sheet pan steak fajitas but still had a big portion of steak left to cook. She told me to make Italian Swiss steak with it like my grandpa used to do. I told her to tell me how he cooked it what ingredients he used so I could try it at home.
She said he let the steak cook all day in the oven and the tomatoes simmer on the stove top. It’s hot here so I decided to take his recipe and re-create in the crock pot. It’s super simple and you only need a few ingredients.
Italian Swiss steak ingredients
To make this crock pot recipe you will need:
- skirt steak or similar cut of steak
- canned tomatoes – diced, crushed or whole, your choice
- onion
- garlic
- apple cider vinegar
- spices
There are tons of different types of steak out there but a skirt steak or similar cut of steak works best for this recipe. You can also use a flank steak, round steak or a hanger steak. This site shows the different cuts of steak.
The type of tomatoes that you use are up to you as well. I used diced this time but I’ve used crushed in the past. Just make sure to save the tomato juice for the crock pot.
And yes, this recipe calls for apple cider vinegar. Sounds a little weird but it helps tenderize the meat during the day. Adding the apple cider vinegar makes the meat literally fall apart after being slow cooked all day.
How to make Swiss steak in the crock pot
This is the easiest part. You literally toss everything together in the crock pot and go on your way. Stir it a few times, if you are able, and baste in the heavenly Italian Swiss steak smell all day.
I put the meat on the bottom and then cover it with the tomatoes, onion, garlic and apple cider vinegar. In my mind all the juice makes the steak extra tender but I have no scientific evidence that’s what really happens.
Once you are ready for dinner, turn off your crock pot, remove the steak and place it over rice, potatoes or pasta. Spoon the tomato/onion mixture over top, garnish with herbs and enjoy.
Gluten free options
The skirt steak and the sauce are naturally gluten free so it just depends what you decide to put it on. Some gluten free options for sides are:
- rice
- potatoes
- gluten free pasta
I personally love it over mashed potatoes because they absorb all the delicious tomato juice.
- 1-2 pound of skirt steak, thawed
- 16 ounce can crushed, diced or whole tomatoes, with juice
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- Place the steak on the bottom of the crock pot.
- Sprinkle the spices over it then the onion and garlic.
- Pour the tomatoes with the juice over top. Add the apple cider vinegar.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
- Place steak over top rice, potatoes or pasta. Cover with sauce.
- Enjoy!
Like this quick and easy dinner recipe? Check out:
- Steak taco salad – another great steak recipe
- Dutch oven pot roast – super easy roast dinner
- Crock pot pork carnitas – save for taco Tuesday
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