Philadelphia cheesesteak is a classic American sandwich made with thin slices of steak cooked with onions and melted cheese, served on a long roll or slider buns. This iconic dish, originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been enjoyed for generations and has become a staple in American cuisine.
Whether you are a fan of traditional cheesesteaks with cheese whiz or prefer to add your own twist with different cheese and toppings, this easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through the steps to make a delicious and authentic cheesesteak right at home.
Origins of the Philly Cheesesteak Recipe:
The original Philly cheesesteak sandwiches recipe is a classic sandwich originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The original Philly cheesesteak recipe was invented in the early 20th century. The legend has it that Pat and Harry Olivieri originally created the Philly Sandwich as a whim in their hot dog stand. They made it with grilled onions and chopped beef served on an Amoroso roll.
The cheese came later. Provolone was the first cheese used in this sandwich and popularized by Joe Lorenza. This became the Traditional ‘Philly cheesesteak Sandwich Recipe’ It consists of thin slices of steak and melted cheese served on a long hoagie roll.
The Philly cheesesteak recipe made into small sandwiches called sliders are fabulously popular when served as a bite-sized snack at home or as party finger food.
Philly cheesesteak sliders are typically served in:
- American diners and restaurants
- Sports bars and pubs
- Concession stands at sporting events
- Fast food chains specializing in American cuisine
- Food trucks and street vendors, particularly in Philadelphia.
They can also be found in grocery stores and supermarkets, pre-made and packaged for consumers to heat and serve at home. They are popular in the United States and are enjoyed as a casual snack or meal.
They also make good additions to the menus of various events or the family meal rotation.
What is in an Authentic Philly Cheesesteak?
To qualify as a real Philly cheesesteak recipe, the sandwich must have:
- Thinly sliced steak
- Grilled onions
- Cheese (traditionally Cheez Whiz or provolone)
- Roll (typically a hoagie roll or soft, small slider roll)
This is certainly an easy Philly cheesesteak recipe to make if you buy deli beef, pre-made rolls and the cheese. Just assemble and warm it in a microwave.
Preferably, go the distance and grill the ingredients on your stove until they are a hot melting mess of deliciousness. Scoop them onto your roll and serve. Easy peasy.
Additional ingredients, such as peppers(we like them), are sometimes added to enhance the flavor of the sandwich. However, the four main ingredients listed above are considered the cornerstone of a classic Philly cheesesteak slider or sandwich.
What is the secret to a good Philly cheesesteak?
The secret to a good Philly cheesesteak is using high-quality ingredients and having the proper cooking technique, such as using a well-seasoned griddle, quickly searing the steak to lock in the flavors, and properly melting the cheese.
Using the correct roll and a good proportion of steak to cheese and onions is important for taste and texture. Your taste buds are your best guide to decide this.
The best Philly cheesesteak recipe is served as either a sandwich or slider and made at home. Home cooks can focus in on the ingredients and method that work best for their family. For versatility that serves a family well a Homemade Philly cheesesteak recipe is often the best choice. Everyone can have what they want at home.
What Cut of Steak is Best For Philly cheesesteaks?
For a traditional Philly cheesesteak, it is best to use thinly sliced rib-eye steak. Flank steak is also a good choice. The meat should be tender and well-marbled, allowing it to cook quickly and stay juicy when mixed with melted cheese.
What is the Best Type OF Onion?
For a traditional Philly cheesesteak sandwich, it is best to use sweet onions such as Vidalia or Walla Walla. These types of onions have a mild flavor and a natural sweetness, which complements the beef and cheese in the sandwich. They also have a higher moisture content, which helps them to soften and caramelize nicely when grilled.
Another good option is the yellow onion, which is commonly used in cooking and has a good balance of sweet and sharp flavors. Some people prefer to use white onions, which have a more pungent flavor, but they can be a bit overpowering in a cheesesteak sandwich. Ultimately, the best type of onion for a Philly cheesesteak will come down to personal preference.
Grilled onions are a traditional and essential ingredient in an authentic Philly cheesesteak recipe. They add a sweet, savory flavor that complements the tender beef and melted cheese.
Grilling the onions brings out their natural sweetness and helps to soften them, making them a perfect topping for the sandwich. Most Philly cheesesteak recipes will include thinly sliced onions that are grilled until softened and slightly caramelized.
What is the Best Cheese for Cheesesteaks?
To make it authentic use one of these cheeses: Cheese whiz, Provolone or American cheese.
But feel free to substitute of the cheeses for this recipe. Philly cheesesteak recipe can use other cheeses. pepper jack, Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella and other cheeses can all be used as you prefer.
When cooking at home use what you like to make your own versions of this Philly sandwich. Here are some more ways to change up this sandwich recipe.
There are many variations of Philly cheese steak recipes, including:
- Traditional Philly Cheese Steak: Thinly sliced ribeye steak, sautéed onions and peppers, and melted cheese (usually Cheez Whiz) on a hoagie roll.
- Chicken Philly Cheese Steak: Thinly sliced chicken breast, sautéed onions and peppers, and melted cheese on a hoagie roll.
- Veggie Philly Cheese Steak: Sautéed mushrooms, onions, peppers, and cheese on a hoagie roll, often with added ingredients such as zucchini, eggplant, or squash.
- Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes: A variation that includes ground beef, sautéed onions and peppers, and melted cheese in a sauce served on a hamburger bun.
- Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers: Green peppers stuffed with a mixture of steak, onions, peppers, and cheese.
- Philly Cheesesteak Pizza: A pizza topped with a mixture of steak, onions, peppers, and cheese.
These are just a few examples of the many variations of Philly cheese steak recipes that exist. Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique variations.
Does a Philly Cheesesteak recipe Have to Use Steak?
Traditionally the main ingredient in a Philly cheesesteak is thin slices of steak. You can make a variation of the sandwich using other meats or vegetarian options. Some common alternatives to steak include:
- Chicken
- Pork
- Turkey
- Plant-based meats or tofu.
These alternative meats can be sliced and prepared in a similar manner to the traditional steak, then added to the sandwich with melted cheese and served on a roll. This allows for versatility in the dish, making it appealing to those who prefer not to eat beef or who follow a vegetarian diet. Regardless of the main ingredient, the cheese and roll remain key components of the sandwich.
Use a dipping sauce with the Philly?
Yes, a Philly cheesesteak slider or sandwich can be served with a dipping sauce. Some popular dipping sauces to accompany the sandwich include:
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Ranch dressing
- Aioli
- Barbecue sauce
- Hot sauce
Providing a variety of dipping sauces allows guests to customize their sandwich to their personal taste. This can make the dish more interactive and enjoyable for everyone. Additionally, the sauces can add extra flavor and help to balance out the richness of the cheese and meat.
Best Rolls to Make Sliders?
The rolls used to make Philly cheesesteak sliders are typically small, soft rolls with a slightly crusty exterior. Some common types of rolls used for this dish include:
- Hawaiian rolls
- Dinner rolls
- Slider buns
- Parker House rolls
- Mini hoagie rolls.
It is important to choose a roll that is soft and pliable, so that it can be easily bite-sized and does not overpower the flavor of the filling. The size of the roll should also be proportionate to the amount of filling, with the roll being just large enough to hold the ingredients without overflowing. This allows for a balanced bite and a comfortable eating experience.
What Party is Good for Philly Cheesesteak?
Philly cheesesteak sliders or sandwiches are a versatile dish that can be served at a variety of events. They are particularly well-suited for:
- Tailgating parties before sporting events
- Game day parties for football or other sports
- Casual gatherings, such as family barbecues or picnics
- Buffet-style events, such as weddings or office parties
- Cocktail parties where appetizers are served.
Their rich and savory flavor, and crowd-pleasing appeal make them a popular choice for many types of events. They can be easily prepared in large quantities, making them an ideal option for feeding a crowd.
Serve the Philly as a sandwich bar, Or preassemble them!
How to serve this sandwich recipe depends on the type of party and your personal preferences. If you’re serving a large crowd and want to minimize preparation time, preassembling the Philly cheesesteak recipe as sliders may be the best option.
Preassembling it into small slides allows you to have the sandwiches ready to go when guests arrive, and it reduces the amount of work you need to do during the party.
On the other hand, if you’re hosting a more casual gathering, making these for a weeknight meal at home, or want to give guests the opportunity to customize their food, a Philly sandwich bar setup may be a better choice.
With a sandwich bar, guests (or the family) can choose their preferred ingredients and create their own sliders or full sized sandwiches if you provide hoagie rolls, making the dish interactive and adding a fun element to the event.
Ultimately, the decision on whether to preassemble the sliders or create a sandwich bar will depend on the type of party, the number of guests, and your personal preferences.
Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
Philadelphia cheesesteak is a classic American sandwich made with thin slices of steak cooked with onions and melted cheese and served on a long roll or slider buns. Its delicious and makes a great dinner or party food.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon avocado or olive oil for frying
- 1 lb. flank or rib-eye steak, sliced thin strips or pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 8 oz. sliced cheese (about 9 slices of provolone, American sliced cheese or Cheez Whiz as desired are traditional choices)
- 4 soft hoagie rolls ( OR 12 hawaiian slider buns)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 Tsp. dried parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Prep:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (for sliders)
- Slice meat as needed
- Slice peppers and onions as desired
- Slice buns in half and place them on a baking sheet. (or casserole dish)
- Spread Mayonnaise on the buns (if using) set aside.
- Slice steak as desired into thin strips or pieces. Season as desired.
To make the Philly cheesesteak:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a little butter or oil.
- Add the onions and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until they are soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Push the onions and peppers to one side of the skillet and add the sliced steak.
- Season the steak with salt and pepper and cook until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes.
For Hoagie rolls:
- Add the cheese to the top of the steak and let it melt.
- Split the hoagie rolls lengthwise and toast them lightly.
- Spread with mayonnaise or other preferred sauce as desired.
- Spoon the steak, onions, peppers, and melted cheese onto the bottom half of each roll.
- Cover with the top half of the roll and serve hot. No oven time necessary.
For Slider Buns:
- Season steak on both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a medium skillet brown thinly sliced steak on both sides (it will cook fast since it’s so thin)
- Remove meat and add olive oil to pan.
- Add green peppers and onion to pan and cook until onions are translucent.
- Spread mayonnaise over slider buns and add steak.
- Next, add peppers and onions in a layer over the steak.
- Place provolone cheese slices over vegetables until completely covering.
- Place the top half of the slider buns onto the cheese.
- In a small dish melt butter and add 1 1/2 tbsp of diced onion.
- Brush the melted butter and onions over the top of the slider buns.
- Salt and pepper the top of the buns
- Place tinfoil over sliders and bake for 10 minutes covered.
- Remove tinfoil and continue baking 8-10 minutes until cheese is fully melted.
- Remove from oven and garnish with dried parsley.
- Serve hot.
Notes
There are MANY ways to change up this recipe. We demonstarted how we made and presented our Philly Cheesesteak sliders in the video below. You can also choose Hawaiian rolls, Dinner rolls, Slider buns, Parker House rolls or Mini hoagie rolls for sliders.
Some Variations of Philly cheese steak recipes, include:
Traditional Philly Cheese Steak: Thinly sliced ribeye steak, sautéed onions and peppers, and melted cheese (usually Cheez Whiz) on a hoagie roll.
Chicken Philly Cheese Steak: Thinly sliced chicken breast, sautéed onions and peppers, and melted cheese on a hoagie roll.
Veggie Philly Cheese Steak: Sautéed mushrooms, onions, peppers, and cheese on a hoagie roll, often with added ingredients such as zucchini, eggplant, or squash.
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes: A variation that includes ground beef, sautéed onions and peppers, and melted cheese in a sauce served on a hamburger bun.
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers: Green peppers stuffed with a mixture of steak, onions, peppers, and cheese.
Philly Cheesesteak Pizza: A pizza topped with a mixture of steak, onions, peppers, and cheese.
Traditionally the main ingredient in a Philly cheesesteak is thin slices of steak. You can make a variation of the sandwich using other meats or vegetarian options. Some common alternatives to steak include:
Chicken
Pork
Turkey
Plant-based meats or tofu.
Popular dipping sauces with the Philly:
Some popular dipping sauces to accompany the sandwich include:
Ketchup
Mustard
Mayonnaise
Ranch dressing
Aioli
Barbecue sauce
Hot sauce
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1/3 sandwich or one sliderAmount Per Serving Calories 227Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 51mgSodium 245mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 15g