The Classic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich is one of the most famous sandwiches in the U.S. and undoubtedly one of the most delicious! But the folks from Philly are passionate about what is and isn’t a true Philly cheesesteak. Some strongly advocate for Cheez Whiz on the sandwich while others prefer melted provolone cheese or white American cheese. You’ll find plenty of Philly cheese steak recipes that call for sliced green bell peppers to be sauteed with the onions, but near as I can tell that’s not actually an authentic addition. I tried hard to research and come as close as I could to an authentic original recipe of a Philly Cheesesteak from Philidelphia experience as I could for someone living on the West Coast. I had to include it in my American Eats series where I’m trying some of the most famous foods from each state to represent Pennsylvania and these were definitely a favorite. I’ve probably got things wrong, and I’m sure die-hard Philly cheesesteak fans will let me know in the comments, but even if these aren’t exactly right, they certainly were delicious and we enjoyed them while watching the Eagles play in the Superbowl! I mean, what’s not to love about the combination of thinly sliced beef ribeye steak, caramelized onion, and provolone cheese on top of a toasted hoagie roll? Hard to go wrong there. You can also check out my Classic Philly Cheesesteak Dip for a deconstructed version of this classic sandwich with the same delicious flavors in a dippable form. For more delicious sandwich recipes, try this Classic Ruben Sandwich, my Cubanos (Cuban Sandwich), and this Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Steak – Chose a decent rib eye steak that’s trimmed and sliced very, very thin. It helps if the steak is partially frozen if you are slicing it yourself, or you can usually get this precut from your local butcher or grocery store. Salt & Pepper – Use coarse Kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors. Onion – Yellow onion will bring a great savory flavor to these sandwiches. Oil – Vegetable oil or canola oil is fine here. Cheese – Use either mild provolone cheese, white American cheese, or melted Cheez Whiz for a classic Philly Cheesesteak flavor. Rolls – Use sliced hoagie rolls for these luxurious sandwiches. Butter – Salted butter is best to make garlic butter, as it will enhance the flavor. Garlic – Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor. Garlic powder will work in a pinch. Mayonnaise – Use full-fat mayonnaise for the creamiest flavor, but low-fat mayo will work fine as well.
How to Make Philly Cheese Steak
Tips for Success
The best way of getting thin slices is to freeze the steak for 30 minutes before slicing it. This will make it easier to handle, and firm enough to be sliced into very thin strips using a sharp knife. Save Time: Buying pre-made garlic butter, pre-sliced beef, and pre-sliced cheese are all ways of cutting down the prep time of this dish making this easy recipe even easier!
Substitutions and Variations
Use a different kind of cheese like Mozzarella or even Monterey Jack cheese instead of Provolone if you prefer or that’s what you have on hand, but you won’t get quite the same flavor or as true to the traditional cheesesteak sandwich experience. While not included in the original Philly Cheesesteak recipe, you can add 1 sliced green bell pepper and sauté it with the onions until softened.
More Sandwich Recipes
Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich Classic Reuben Sandwich Leftover Prime Rib Sandwich Crispy Chicken Sandwich Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
Try my Crispy Potato Wedges, or these Homemade French Fries, alongside some Homemade Coleslaw and even this Broccoli Salad with Bacon! Serve with a glass of cold Blackberry Lemonade or Strawberry Lemonade!
Cubanos (Cuban Sandwich Recipe)
Blue Bayou Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
