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Gooey, meaty and melty, a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich is delicious in its simplicity. This sandwich has transcended the borders of Philadelphia to become a universal comfort food and a regular at my dinner table. 

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich in a tray with pickles

All About the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

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! 

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! 

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich on a tray with another sandwich in background

How To Make Philly Cheesesteak

Nutrition

A 7-inch Philly Cheesesteak clocks in at around 500 to 700 calories and packs a ton of protein. In my recipe, I like to add in sauteed vegetables to up the nutritional value. Because the beef is ultra-flavorful, my kids barely realize that they are getting a hefty serving of veggies! 

If you would like a lower-calorie and carb-free version, check out my Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Bell Peppers.  

Choosing the Right Ingredients for the Philly Cheesesteak

Besides the sauteed vegetables, the ingredients are right in the name. The key to making a great Philly Cheesesteak is picking the right beef and cheese. 

Ingredients for the Philly Cheesesteak on the tray

Philly Cheesesteak Cheese Options

The debate on what cheese to use for an authentic Philly Cheesesteak may never end! I, however, love to use sliced provolone cheese. Provolone compliments the beef very well and doesn’t overshadow it. A runner-up for me would be Sliced White American. The key here is to not pick a cheese that is too sharp or intense. 

Philly Cheesesteak Meat Options

Thinly sliced ribeye is the go-to meat choice for a classic Philly Cheesesteak. The high-fat content of ribeye is ideal because it will create a tender, easy-to-bite sandwich. Other cuts would work as well as long as you slice the beef very thinly.

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 a great option for a Philly cheesesteak sauce. If you are wanting a bit more adventure, add horseradish to the mix.

Other Cheesesteak Toppings

Some cheesesteak shops only add sauteed onions. Some like bell peppers or mushrooms. I love adding in all three! Figure out which veggies you like best and have it your way. 

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches in a tray with pickles

Philly Cheesesteak Hacks

Best Way to Cook the Sandwich

Whatever you do, don’t overcook the meat! The best part about this sandwich is that it melts-in-your-mouth. The meat should be so thinly sliced that you can quickly saute it. Consider investing in a mandolin slicer to shave the meat. 

Making Philly Cheesesteak in the Crockpot

Don’t want to spend the big bucks on ribeye? Want cheesesteaks ready when you get home? Pop a chuck roast into the crockpot 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 in the veggies of your choice into the crockpot. Spoon the mixture onto your roll and add the cheese of your choice. 

Making a Chicken Philly Cheesesteak

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.  

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
Gooey, meaty and melty, a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich is delicious in its simplicity. This sandwich has transcended the borders of Philadelphia to become a universal comfort food and a regular at my dinner table.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb beef
  • 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

Instructions

  • Prepare all the ingredients for the Philly Cheesesteak. The key is to slice beef into very thin slices. Cut bell peppers into long strips, onion into half rings and mushrooms into bitesize pieces.
    tray with all the ingredients for the philly cheesesteak
  • Preheat the oiled skillet, add onions, bell peppers and mushrooms to the mixture. Cook on high heat 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, season with salt and pepper. Cook until the beef is fully cooked. Add vegetables back to the beef, toss to combine everything together. Top it off with cheese slices and let it sit for a minute to let it melt.
    Skillet with melted cheese over vegetables and steak
  • Fill the sandwich buns with meat mixture and serve while everything is still warm.
    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 July 10, 2019

About Author

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.

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