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Smothered with melted cheese and stuffed into a hoagie roll, this authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwich is delicious in its simplicity! With just four, quick steps, this recipe will transport you to the City of Brotherly Love.

Love this recipe but would prefer a lower-calorie and carb-free version? Check out my Philly cheesesteak stuffed bell peppers.  

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich in a tray with pickles

What is a Philly Cheesesteak? 

This classic sandwich was born when Pat Olivieri, a hot dog stand owner in Philadelphia, decided he was sick of having hot dogs for his lunch. He grabbed some beef from a local butcher, threw it on his grill, and popped it in a hot dog bun. A cab driver drove by and caught a whiff of the sub and asked for one himself. And just like that, a local obsession came to be!

While this authentic sandwich has proved itself to be a street food favorite, it is also an excellent dish to make at home. When you prepare it yourself, you can experiment with different cheeses, veggies, bread, and cuts of beef until you create your dream Philly cheesesteak. The possibilities are endless and delicious! 

How To Make Philly Cheesesteak

Making Philly cheesesteak only requires a few simple ingredients and one pan. Below, find a high-level overview of the recipe.

  • Prepare the filling. Chop and sautee your veggies. Remove from pan and set to the side. Sautee thinly-sliced beef in the same pan and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add sauteed veggies back into the pan. Stir to combine. Top with cheese and let it melt naturally from the heat of meat and veggies.
  • Stuff and serve. Stuff your untoasted or toasted hoagie roll with the meat mixture. Serve right away along with your favorite sides (suggestions below).
skillet with mushrooms, bell peppers and onions
Skillet with melted cheese over vegetables and steak
philly sandwiches in a bowl

Choosing the Right Ingredients for the Philly Cheesesteak

Choosing the right ingredients for your Philly Cheesesteak makes all the difference.

  • The best cheese for Philly cheesesteak: Provolone cheese works best for a Philly cheesesteak due to its neutral flavor and melt. A strong runner-up would be sliced white American cheese slices (mild or sharp). In Philadelphia, you’ll even find some food trucks and restaurants swearing by Cheez Whiz.
  • The best cut of beef for Philly cheesesteak: Thinly sliced ribeye is the go-to meat choice for a classic Philly cheesesteak. The marbling of ribeye is ideal because it creates a tender, easy-to-bite sandwich. 

Try my recipe for Perfect Cast Iron Ribeye and use the leftovers to make this yummy sandwich for dinner the next night!

  • Philly Cheesesteak Sauce – Mayo is the perfect sauce for a Philly cheesesteak. If you are wanting more of a punch, add horseradish to the mix or a touch of Worcestershire sauce.
  • Other Cheesesteak Toppings – Some cheesesteak shops only add caramelized onions. Some also add bell peppers or mushrooms. Use all three or just one. The choice is yours!
Ingredients for the Philly Cheesesteak on the tray

Tips for Making the Best Philly Cheesesteak

Below, find our top tips and tricks for making the best Philly cheesesteak.

  • Thinly slice your beef. Use a sharp knife to slice your beef thin. This will create a tender mixture and an easy-to-bite sandwich.
  • Don’t overcook the beef. Whatever you do, don’t overcook the ribeye! The best part about this sandwich is that it melts in your mouth and is easy to bite. The meat should be so thinly sliced that you can quickly saute it. Consider investing in a mandolin slicer to shave the meat. 
  • Use a slow cooker for tougher beef. Don’t want to spend the big bucks on ribeye? Want cheesesteaks ready when you get home? Pop a chuck roast into the slow cooker with a cup of beef broth, a touch of Worcestershire, and some salt and pepper. Cook on low for about 6-8 hours. 45 minutes before serving add the veggies of your choice into the crockpot. Spoon the mixture onto your roll and top with cheese. 
  • Substitute chicken for beef. If beef is out of the question, substitute it with chicken. A lot of cheesesteak shops offer this option in Philly because it is delicious in its own way. Make sure you slice the chicken thinly and against the grain to get a similar texture.  

Have leftover steak in the freezer? Frozen steak is actually easier to slice thin. Let it defrost a quarter of the way, slice it thin, and throw it straight into your pan. Just keep in mind to drain any excess moisture released before adding your sauteed veggies into the mix.

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches in a tray with pickles

FAQ

Does Philly cheesesteak have mayo?

Philly cheesesteak can be made with or without mayo. It’s purely optional.

What is the nutritional content of a Philly cheesesteak?

A 7-inch Philly cheesesteak clocks in at around 500 to 700 calories, packs a ton of protein, and contains a hefty serving of veggies.

What toppings go on a Philly cheesesteak?

Traditional Philly cheesesteak toppings include banana peppers, hot peppers, or a sprinkling of dried oregano.

Which cut of beef should I use for a Philly cheesesteak?

Ribeye is the best cut of beef to use for a Philly cheesesteak. It’s tender, well-marbled, and easy to slice.

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich on a tray with another sandwich in background

Servings Philly Cheesesteak

Philly cheesesteak is great for your next get-together – especially if your hosting for a lot of picky kids. Another great occasion for this meaty sandwich is game day. Serve your Philly cheesesteak alongside pickles, air fryer potato chips, or air fryer french fries. If you’re looking to go a bit lighter, a classic garden salad will do the trick.

A Few More Steak Recipes

Recipe

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich in a tray with pickles

Easy Philly Cheesesteak

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Servings
6 servings
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
Smothered with melted cheese and stuffed into a hoagie roll, this authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwich is delicious in its simplicity.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs beef (ribeye recommended)
  • 2 green bell peppers
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 1 lb mushrooms
  • 1 lb provolone cheese slices
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground pepper
US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Slice ribeye into thin strips. Cut bell peppers into long strips, onion into half rings and mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.
    tray with all the ingredients for the philly cheesesteak
  • Preheat an oiled skillet over high-heat. Add onions, bell peppers and mushrooms to the skillet. Sautee until all veggies are golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
    skillet with mushrooms, bell peppers and onions
  • Add sliced beef to the same skillet and season with salt and pepper. Sautee until the beef is fully cooked. Add vegetables back to the skillet and stir to combine. Top with cheese slices and let mixture sit for a minute to melt.
    Skillet with melted cheese over vegetables and steak
  • Stuff toasted or untoasted hoagie buns with the mixture. Serve immediately and enjoy!
    Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich on a tray with another sandwich in background
Nutrition Facts
Easy Philly Cheesesteak
Amount Per Serving
Calories 682 Calories from Fat 459
% Daily Value*
Fat 51g78%
Saturated Fat 25g125%
Cholesterol 160mg53%
Sodium 769mg32%
Potassium 849mg24%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 48g96%
Vitamin A 810IU16%
Vitamin C 34.8mg42%
Calcium 609mg61%
Iron 3.9mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted June 25, 2021

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.