Skip to Content

Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak

Sharing is caring!

This Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak recipe results in a fall apart tender round steak that’s simmered in barbecue sauce, tomatoes, peppers and onions for a hearty main dish that’s as easy as it is delicious. Serve it over mashed potatoes, noodles or rice to really get the most bang for your buck and to make the most of the scrumptious sauce this steak is cooked in.

BBQ Swiss Steak with peppers and onions is served up on a pile of cheddar mashed potatoes.

My mother in law makes delicious Swiss Steak in the crock pot. It’s got a tangy tomato barbecue sauce that’s just divine on top of cheddar mashed potatoes. Only problem? It’s a slow cooker recipe and sometimes I don’t want to wait for slow cooker times. Or, let’s be honest,  I just haven’t done a great job of meal planning and I need something that I can just throw together at the last minute. 

Enter the instant pot! Today’s Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak is my take on my mother-in-law’s swiss steak, but it’s ready to go in under an hour. This is a great beginner instant pot recipe for people who’ve just bought an instant pot. For reference, I use this 6 quart model that’s available on Amazon. It’s big enough to easily make meals for my family of 6. 

This Swiss steak recipe just takes 5 ingredients, plus salt and pepper to taste. 

The ingredients needed for Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak; round steak, bell peppers, onion, canned tomatoes and barbecue sauce.

You’ll need:

  • 1 ½ lbs of round steak

  • Canned Diced Tomatoes

  • Your Favorite Barbecue Sauce
  • Onion
  • Green Bell Pepper

*If you want to simplify this recipe even more, feel free to pick up a bag of frozen sliced peppers and onions! 

Making BBQ Swiss Steak in the Instant Pot:

Onions, peppers, and steaks sitting in front of the Instant Pot with bbq sauce and tomatoes in the background.

This recipe is a great intro to cooking in the instant pot because it’s pretty much dump and go.

An image looking down into the instant pot after the ingredients have been added.

Cut the round steak into serving sized pieces and season it with salt and pepper. Chop the onion and bell pepper. Then layer the steak and veggies, including the tomatoes. Pour the barbecue sauce over the top and put the lid on your instant pot. Cook it on manual for 25 minutes. Give it a quick 5 minute rest then release the steam and enjoy! 

Barbecue sauce is added to the instant pot.

We love to eat this Swiss steak over cheesy mashed potatoes with green beans or peas on the side and hot rolls to sop up any extra sauce. 

A serving of BBQ Swiss Steak on top of mashed potatoes on a white plate.

If you’re interested in more easy instant pot recipes you might like these: 

Easiest Instant Pot Beef and Noodles

Instant Pot Turkey and Noodles

Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup

Big Batch Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Instant Pot Ranch Potatoes

BBQ Swiss Steak with peppers and onions is served up on a pile of cheddar mashed potatoes.

Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Fall apart tender round steak that’s simmered in barbecue sauce with tomatoes, peppers and onions.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds round steak, cut into 6 pieces
  • 1 small yellow onion, cut into strips
  • 1 green pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 ¼ cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 14 ounce can chopped tomatoes, with the juice drained off
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

    1. Place the ½ of the steaks in the bottom of the instant pot and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
    2. Layer ½ of the onion, green pepper, and chopped tomatoes over the beef. Repeat layers. 
    3. Pour the barbecue sauce over the top.
    4. Place the lid on the instant pot and seal. Cook on manual for 25 minutes. Allow to naturally release steam for 5 minutes, then release the rest of the steam.

Notes

Serve with rice, noodles or mashed potatoes. 

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a review or a photo! I'd love to hear your feedback!

Pin this recipe for later!

Instant Pot BBQ Swiss Steak; fall apart tender round steak that’s simmered in barbecue sauce, tomatoes, peppers and onions for a hearty main dish that’s as easy as it is delicious. Ready in under 1 hour. #instantpot #swisssteak #weeknightdinner #accidentalhappybaker

Did you make this recipe? 

Please leave a comment or review below!  I’d also love to see what you’ve been making on Instagram or Facebook.

Accidental Happy Baker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at amazon.com at no additional cost to you.

Mike P

Friday 12th of February 2021

Has anyone tried this recipe using a pork roast? We love this recipe using the round roast. It now a regular in our family!

Amy D

Friday 12th of February 2021

Hey Mike, I haven't tried that, but I think you're right that the flavors in this recipe would be dynamite with pork. Glad that you're enjoying the recipe and you'll have to let me know how it turns out with the pork if you get to it before me. :)

Amy D.

Ranch Wife

Thursday 30th of April 2020

This was SO good! I made it last month for a cowboy crew and everyone loved it! I changed out the tomatoes for Rotel because we love spice around here, but I'll definitely be making this again. I wanted to ask your permission to share this recipe on my blog. I'll give you full credit and link back here. Thank you for a great recipe!

Amy D

Friday 1st of May 2020

Absolutely, thanks for asking!

Skip to Recipe