Philly Cheesesteaks
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Learn how to make mouthwatering Philly cheesesteaks right in your own kitchen! This step-by-step guide walks you through creating the perfect sandwich—thinly sliced steak, melty cheese, and sautéed onions all tucked into a warm, toasty roll—every time.
Created in 1930s Philadelphia, the Philly cheesesteak is a beloved classic with tender beef, caramelized onions, and melty cheese tucked into a soft hoagie roll. While sandwich shops rely on flat-top griddles and signature techniques, making an incredible Philly cheesesteak at home is easier than you think! Freeze the beef for 35 to 45 minutes—it makes slicing thin effortless and ensures even cooking. Also, cook the meat in two batches to get a nice sear, and toast the rolls to keep them crisp and sturdy enough for all that juicy filling. With these simple tips, you’ll be serving up a Philly cheesesteak that rivals the original.
“My grown sons and husband devoured it.”
What You’ll Need To Make Philly Cheesesteaks
- Sirloin Or Ribeye Steak: These are the classic cuts for an authentic Philly cheesesteak. Look for steaks with nice marbling for the best flavor.
- Vegetable Oil: Used for searing the steak and cooking the vegetables.
- Yellow Onion: Adds a sweet, caramelized flavor that deepens as it cooks, contributing to the savory richness of the dish.
- Bell Pepper: Introduces a little sweetness and tanginess that contrasts beautifully with the steak and onions. Any color bell pepper will work.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides a touch of acidity that cuts through the richness of the steak and cheese.
- American Cheese and Provolone: A perfect duo—American cheese melts into a smooth, creamy texture that binds the sandwich, while provolone adds a slightly sharp flavor. (If you’re a Cheez Whiz fan, serve it on the side for dipping.)
- Hoagie Rolls: Soft on the inside and slightly crusty on the outside, these rolls are sturdy enough to hold the filling without falling apart.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Freeze the meat for 35 to 45 minutes to make slicing easier. Using a sharp knife, slice the steak thinly against the grain. If needed, halve the steak horizontally first for shorter, more manageable pieces.
Mound the meat on the cutting board and chop it coarsely with a knife 15 to 20 times. Season the meat with salt and black pepper.
Toast the rolls until lightly browned.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions, peppers, salt, and pepper. Cook until softened and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in vinegar, then transfer to a plate.
Wipe the skillet clean. Heat another tablespoon of oil and add half of the meat in an even layer and cook without stirring until well browned on one side, about 2 minutes.
Stir and continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 1 minute more. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to the plate with the vegetables.
Add the remaining meat to the skillet in an even layer, adding oil if needed. Cook undisturbed until browned, about 2 minutes, then stir and cook until no longer pink, about 1 minute. Return the first batch of meat and vegetables to the skillet and add the American cheese.
Heat, stirring constantly, until the meat is warmed through and the cheese is melted and evenly distributed, about 1 minute.
Reduce the heat to low and shingle the provolone cheese over the meat. Allow the cheese to melt, about 2 minutes.
Use a spatula to divide the mixture evenly among the toasted hoagie rolls. Serve immediately.
Video Tutorial
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Philly Cheesesteaks
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds sirloin steak (or ribeye)
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 4 slices American cheese, torn into 1-inch pieces
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 4 hoagie/sub rolls
Instructions
- Place the meat in the freezer for 35 to 45 minutes (having the meat partially frozen makes it easier to slice). Using a sharp knife, slice the steak as thinly as possible against the grain. (If necessary, cut the steak in half horizontally first to create manageable pieces. This helps ensure the slices aren't too long.) Mound the meat on the cutting board and chop it coarsely with a knife 15 to 20 times. Season the meat with ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Open the rolls and arrange on a baking sheet, face-up. Toast until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Cover to keep warm.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the onions, peppers, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, then transfer the mixture to a large plate.
- Wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel. Heat another tablespoon of oil over high heat until almost smoking. Add half of the meat in an even layer and cook without stirring until well browned on one side, about 2 minutes. Stir and continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 1 minute more. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to the plate with the vegetables.
- Add the remaining meat to the skillet in an even layer, adding more oil only if necessary. Cook without stirring until well browned on one side, about 2 minutes. Stir and continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 1 minute more.
- Return the first batch of cooked meat and vegetables to the skillet, and add the American cheese. Heat, stirring constantly, until the meat is warmed through and the cheese is melted and evenly distributed, about 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low and shingle the provolone cheese over the meat. Allow the cheese to melt, about 2 minutes. Use a spatula to divide the mixture evenly among the toasted rolls. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
Comments
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Fantastic recipe! Another family favorite!
These were a huge hit. Used expensive prime ribeye and artisan french rolls so they were over the top. They couldn’t be easier or quicker to make, and they are already asking when I will make them again.
Fantastic!! Easiest, most authentic, best tasting Philly cheese steak sandwiches we have ever made. Jen has written the most understandable recipe I’ve ever used for this dish. Your friends will think you ordered from the best cheese steak restaurant around. This one is a winner.
This was easy and delicious!
Made these for my teenage boys using ribeye steak and they devoured them. Served cheese whiz on the side for dipping, and I have no regrets!
I was really wanting some new weeknight recipes and saw your Philly cheesesteak recipe. Wow, easy and delicious! I think adding that American cheese made all the difference. Cheesy and so comforting! My husband, who is also one of your biggest fans, says it’s a keeper! Keep’em coming!
My grown sons and husband devoured it
Hi Jen! Any way to make this with chicken 👀
I haven’t tried it, but I think it would work. Please LMK how they come out if you try it!
As someone from Philadelphia and having both eaten at numerous cheesesteak venues as well as making my own cheesesteaks, the traditional and most common cheese is Cheese Whiz or Provolone, however, Cooper Sharp has become a favorite and very common because of its melting qualities and taste. Of course, you can use any cheese you want, but those first two are the traditional and most common cheeses chosen when ordering as is Cooper Sharlp.
All of your recipes are wonderful, I would only add that to make it “over the top”, the bread is the key! If you can buy and pair this with some artisan type or bakery rolls with a healthy chewy crust, it makes the flavors of the sandwich even better! Just one man’s opinion…