Easy Swiss Steak Recipe - Meatloaf and Melodrama (2024)

FAQs

Is cube steak and swiss steak the same thing? ›

This process creates the distinctive cube-shaped indentations on both sides of the meat. The resulting steak is called a cube steak or swiss steak.It might seem like the term has something to do with Switzerland, but the name comes from the swissing tenderizing technique used on the meat.

After taking the steak out of the fridge to bring it too room temperature, we coat the steak in oil on both sides, then add plenty of salt and pepper on both sides of the steak too. Add the steak to a very hot pan – preferably cast iron. Cook for 4 minutes, turning EVRY MINUTE.

Because the meat has less fat, it could use a little cooking oil for frying or grilling. Sear the beef over a high heat on a grill or stovetop skillet to seal in its juices, then proceed with a lower temperature to finish grilling, frying, or roasting.

What to Serve With Cubed Steak. Mashed Potatoes, Buttermilk Biscuits, and Corn Casserole are all great options. See all of my side dish recipes here.

Swiss steak is made from an actual piece of steak, usually cut from the bottom, top, or eye of round. These tough steaks are pounded thin, tenderized (via a textured mallet or swissing machine), and braised until fork-tender in a rich tomato and onion gravy.

Meatloaf is a seasoned meat mixture formed into a loaf—a loaf of meat, if you will—and baked in a loaf pan in the oven. Salisbury steak is sometimes similarly seasoned but formed into patties and browned in a skillet on the stovetop. Salisbury steak is also typically served with gravy, often a mushroom-based gravy.

There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.

The secret: Placing the steaks in a cold nonstick skillet with no oil. This counterintuitive technique was developed by former Cook's Illustrated staffer Andrew Janjigian, who discovered a well-marbled cut doesn't need extra oil; enough fat comes out during cooking to help brown the beef.

Blue steak is the term that's used to describe a steak cooked at a very high temperature for a short period of time. That means a maximum of 1-2 minutes on each side, which will leave the center of the steak practically raw.

Here's why: A steak that marinates in an acidic or enzymatic liquid too long, such as citrus juice or cola, becomes tough or mushy. But the acid in milk is so mild that you can soak beef in it long enough to tenderize it effectively, without damaging the proteins on the surface.

How do you cook cube steak so it's not tough? ›

The best way to cook cube steak for tenderness is slowly and evenly, so a slow cooker can do the trick when you have ample time to spare. However, braising, pan-frying, and sauteing also work. Just be sure to cook with enough liquid to keep the steak moist.

Tenderizing the cuts with a machine helps break down the fibers, but it's not always a perfect solution. The biggest factor in a cube steak's texture is cooking. If you cook it too long on high heat, the muscle fibers will tighten up, leaving you with a tough and leathery chew rather than a juicy and tender cut.

Swiss steak is an English dish consisting of sliced beef that is tenderized using a mallet or a Swissing tool that is then coated in flour and browned before braising with tomatoes, stock, onions, celery, and carrots. This dish is also sometimes called smothered steak.

Also known as minute steak, cube steak is an inexpensive, flavorful cut of beef that's pre-tenderized by a process of pounding and cutting. It comes from the top or bottom round, a tough portion near the rump of the cow usually used as stew meat.

What Is the Difference Between Salisbury Steak and Swiss Steak? A Salisbury steak is made from ground beef that's formed into a patty, and Swiss steak is actually steak. Additionally, Salisbury steak usually has a gravy that consists of beef broth, and Swiss steak is known for being cooked with tomatoes and onions.

The meat is always fork tender and delicious, but probably doesn't always fit the definition of Swiss steak. One would think the name comes from Switzerland, but it actually comes from the technique of tenderizing the meat by pounding or rolling, which is called “swissing” in England.