Smothered Round Steak with Gravy

This is one of the first recipes I learned to cook when I was a teenager. Mom taught me to cook over the phone, after I got home from school every day. She was working and I didn't think about it at the time, but later I realized my calls were reassuring to her, since she knew I was safely home. Even when Mom told me how to do it, I nearly always tweaked it! Most of the time, it turned out okay. Mashed potatoes and biscuits are perfect with this, along with a vegetable.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 556 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 2 cups milk
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon beef base (such as Better Than Bouillon®)
• 1 (2 1/2 pound) tenderized round steak, cut into 6 pieces
• ½ cup cooking oil, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Sprinkle each side of the round steak pieces with salt and pepper, rubbing seasoning into the meat.

Step 2

Combine 1/2 cup flour and garlic powder in a 1-gallon resealable bag. Add steak pieces, seal bag, and shake to evenly coat all the pieces.

Step 3

Heat 1/3 cup of oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add seasoned and floured steak pieces to the skillet in a single layer in batches and cook until browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and keep warm. Repeat with remaining pieces, adding more oil, if necessary, until all are browned.

Step 4

Add onion slices to the same skillet and stir, coating onions with pan drippings, until onion slices have separated and are just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Move onions to one side of the skillet and return browned steak pieces to the skillet. Spread steak evenly in the skillet and place onions on top.

Step 5

Stir together water, beef base, and Worcestershire sauce in a microwave-safe container. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, and pour into the skillet. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the steak is tender, about 45 minutes.

Step 6

Remove the steak from the skillet and add reserved 1/2 cup of flour to the pan drippings. Increase heat to medium; stir briskly and cook until bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in milk and keep stirring until gravy bubbles again. Return steak, onions, and any accumulated juices to the skillet, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors are well combined, about 10 minutes.