Easy Gluten Free Copycat McCormick Swiss Steak Recipe

Easy Gluten Free Copycat McCormick Swiss Steak Recipe

Swiss steak, one of my favorite comfort foods, gets a makeover as I turned it gluten free with my Easy Gluten Free Copycat McCormick Swiss Steak Recipe.

You can prepare it one of three different ways from the oven to crockpot, and my favorite way, in the Instant pot!

When I see it in the weekly ad at my favorite online store for grocery store pickup, I add it to my cart!

Round steak or cube steak freeze well so grab them when they are at a good price since this is a great way to always have meat for a quick recipe like this one.

This hearty beef dish features tenderized cube steak or round steak smothered in a rich tomato gravy, infused with spices from you probably have in your cupboard.

There is no need to buy a pre-made Swiss steak seasoning packet or bag ‘n season kit from the grocery store when you have my recipe handy.

Skip the additives and preservatives from the seasoning packets and make my favorite recipe for Swiss steak minus the seasoned flour mixture. 

Keep reading as I show you how you can recreate this beloved dish all while keeping it gluten-free and packed with flavor reminiscent of the popular McCormick Bag Season Seasoning Mix.

I will also go over tips, substitutions as well as answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this great recipe your family will love!

The History of Swiss Steak

Contrary to its name, Swiss steak does not originate from Switzerland.

Instead, it is a quintessential American dish with roots tracing back through generations of home cooks where the term “Swiss” in Swiss steak likely refers to the method of tenderizing the meat rather than any Swiss origin.

It has always been known to be made using a tough cut of beef, such as cube steak or round steak, which were pounded with a meat mallet or pre-tenderized with a mechanical tenderizer.

Then the cubed steak would be seasoned with a blend of spices, dredged in all purpose flour, and slow-cooked with onions, bell peppers, and a tomato-based sauce until tender and flavorful.

Before the invention of modern appliances, it would go into the oven for hours slow cooking until tender.

I have now turned the traditional recipe into a gluten free one made in the Instant Pot for easy and quick cook time that still turns out tender and delicious.

What you will need to make this Gluten Free Swiss Steak Recipe

• Bottom Round Steak
• Onions
• Celery
• Carrots
• Green Bell Pepper
• Smoked Paprika
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Beef Broth
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Tomato Paste
• Crushed Tomatoes
• Gluten Free Worcestershire Sauce
• Salt and Ground Black Pepper 

Let’s make this Easy Gluten Free Copycat McCormick Swiss Steak

In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, thyme, oregano and parsley.

Set aside while you get your round steaks ready.

Cut the steaks into smaller steaks, in my case I just cut them in half, then place them on a platter or large plate.

Sprinkle seasoning mix over both sides of steak rubbing it in well.

Turn your Instant Pot to SAUTE mode and wait until it says ready.

Add oil or bacon grease to the pot and place two to three steaks in at once. 

You only want to add as many as will fit in a single layer and not overcrowd so they brown properly.

Set a timer for 4 minutes and brown on each side only 4 minutes.

Once browned, remove to the platter and set aside.

Keeping the Instant Pot on SAUTE mode, add the sweet onion, celery, carrots and chopped green peppers.

Sauté for 5 minutes or until the carrots are tender when pierced.

Add in the beef broth or 1 cup water to the Instant Pot and scrape the bottom until all of the brown bits are loosened up.

Place the steaks on top of the sautéed mixture layering so the top layer is crossing over the middle of the bottom layer.

This gives each steak enough space to be cooked properly.

Prepare and mix tomato sauce up by whisking together the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and minced garlic.

Stir sauce well so the tomato paste blends in and is not chunky.

Pour tomato mixture over the seared steaks and DO NOT STIR, just spread in an even layer very gently.

Add the Instant Pot lid and cook at HIGH pressure for 30 minutes.

After the time is up, let it sit for 15 minutes without releasing the pressure.

This is called a NATURAL release.

Once the time is up, carefully release the pressure and remove the lid.

Serve up your delicious Gluten Free Swiss Steak over some cauliflower rice and a side of green beans.

Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 5 days in the fridge or freezer up to 3 months.

Leftovers are great the next day, as most beef recipes are, so gently reheat it in a 350F oven in a covered dish for 10 minutes.

If frozen, just thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in the oven for 10 minutes at 350F.

I do not recommend the microwave as it will toughen the meat.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 steaks with topping
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	156
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2.3g	3%
Saturated Fat 0.7g	3%
Cholesterol 22mg	7%
Sodium 1129mg	49%
Total Carbohydrate 20.6g	7%
Dietary Fiber 4.9g	17%
Total Sugars 0.8g
Protein 16.5g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 87mg	7%
Iron 4mg	22%
Potassium 817mg	17%

Some other ways you can cook up this Gluten Free Swiss Steak Recipe

Good news is that you can cook this Easy Gluten Free Swiss Steak Recipe in other ways if you do not have an Instant Pot.

Slow Cooker Method:

Create a crockpot Swiss steak when you prepare the steaks as directed but sear them in a skillet.

After searing in a skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the veggies and deglaze with the broth.

Pour the veggies and broth mixture into the bottom of a crockpot.

Place the seared steaks over the mixture then top with the combined tomato sauce.

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.

Dutch Oven Method:

Instead of searing the steaks in the skillet, heat up your Dutch oven over medium heat and sear right in the pot.

Once they are seared, remove to sauté the veggies and add in the broth.

Add the steaks on top of the sautéed veggies and place the Dutch oven lid on.

Bake at 325F for 1 hour and 30 minutes in the lower half of oven.

Tips, Substitutions, and FAQs

• If you want to reduce your prep time of chopping veggies, you can find diced onions and peppers in the frozen section of your grocery store. Add it to your online grocery order next time to make cooking simpler.
• Add some sweetness to the seasoning by adding in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar or keto brown sugar for sugar free. This may help cut some of the acidity of the tomatoes. 
• Take this recipe to the next level when you take the sautéed veggies and roll them up in the round steak before searing. Tie with a nylon tie then place in oven or crock pot after covering with the tomato sauce. Cook as directed.
• Save time from measuring the herbs used in the meat rub and use Italian seasoning instead. 
• Make it easier to serve when you cut the round steak into serving-size pieces before you brown them. Then when you go to serve the steak it will be ready to eat instead of needing to be cut.
• If you are not concerned with eating low carb, feel free to enjoy your Swiss steak poured over some prepared egg noodles instead of rice.
• The recipe given is for steaks that are 1/2″ thick. If your round steaks are thinner, reduce the cooking time down 10 minutes to not overcook them. Total time in the Instant Pot will be 20 minutes cook and still let it naturally release pressure for 15 minutes before manually releasing the pressure.

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Can I use cube steak or round steak for Swiss steak? Yes, both cube steak and round steak work well for Swiss steak, as they are typically tougher cuts of meat that benefit from slow cooking or pressure cooking to become tender.

Is Worcestershire sauce gluten-free? While traditional Worcestershire sauce may contain gluten, there are gluten-free versions available at most grocery stores. Be sure to check the label when purchasing. My favorite is my Lea & Perrins and is clearly labeled gluten free.

Can I substitute tomato paste for crushed tomatoes in the tomato sauce? Yes, you can substitute tomato paste for tomato sauce in Swiss steak recipes, but you have to reconstitute it with water. Mix up one 6oz can of tomato paste with 2 empty cans of water. Whisk until there are no more lumps and use instead of the crushed tomatoes.

Can I make Swiss steak without bell peppers? Yes, you can omit bell peppers from the recipe if desired. It will still turn out great without them.

Can I use pre-packaged Swiss steak seasoning mix? Yes, pre-packaged Swiss steak seasoning mix, such as the McCormick Swiss Steak Bag seasoning, can be used to add flavor to the dish quickly and conveniently. You will follow the instructions for making it in the oven cooking bag. Place the seared round steak into the bag, top with the tomato sauce using the seasoning instead of the spices called for, close bag and cook. You do not want to have an open bag or all of the great steam will escape before the steak is done. Make sure the steak is not touching the top of bag or it may burn. To make sure the steak does not seize up when you open the bag, poke some small holes in the bag to release the steam slowly. 

How do I know when Swiss steak is done cooking? Swiss steak is done cooking when the meat is tender and easily pierced with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare or 160°F (71°C) for medium.

Can I freeze leftover Swiss steak? Yes, leftover Swiss steak can be frozen for future meals. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers or freezer bags. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as desired.

What are some serving suggestions for Swiss steak? Swiss steak pairs well with a variety of side dishes, including mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.

Swiss steak is a classic comfort food with a rich history and a timeless appeal. 

While traditionally prepared in the oven, the Instant Pot offers a modern twist on this beloved dish, making it more convenient and accessible than ever. 

Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, Swiss steak prepared in the Instant Pot is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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