Philly Cheesesteak

Our Philly cheesesteak recipe is piled high with thinly sliced steak, caramelized onions, and melty provolone cheese sandwiched between a toasted hoagie bun.

Why this recipe works

Philly cheesesteak is an East Coast classic. Much like a lobster roll, this sandwich has strong opinions behind the ingredients that go inside of it depending on where you are from. In true classic form, and what seems to be the most popular in Philadelphia, the sandwich consists of thinly sliced steak, sauteed onions, and cheese whiz. Though in many areas, provolone is used instead which offers a mild, almost tangy flavor when mingled with the steak and onions.

Whichever way you prefer to prepare your Philly cheesesteak, I think we can all agree that one savory bite of tender beef, melty cheese, and onion can play together well no matter the ingredients used. We love this sandwich so much that we’ve even made it into an addictive Philly Cheesesteak Dip. Have fun with this one, there are no real rules when it comes to what you enjoy.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

STEAK – Flank steak is incredibly tender and perfect for Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. You could also use thinly sliced ribeye, top round, or sirloin. Partially freezing the meat will make it easier to slice it very thin. Just be sure to bring meat to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.

CHEESE – Provolone is our cheese of choice when it comes to cheesesteak, though many prefer to use American cheese or cheese whiz on their sandwich.

BREAD – We used hoagie buns, but a loaf of Italian bread works nicely as well.

How to Make Philly Cheesesteak

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Slice meat thin against the grain. Toss with half of the olive oil to coat the meat slices. Season with half of the garlic salt and half of the black pepper.
2. Toss the julienned onions with the remaining olive oil. Season with remaining garlic salt and pepper.
3. Heat skillet over medium-high.
4. Add onions to hot skillet and cook until tender. Remove onions and set aside.
5. Cook meat in skillet until partially cooked and some pink remains, about 3 minutes.
6. Move meat to one side of the skillet and add onions to the empty side.
7. Toss onions and meat together and cook for 5-7 minutes, until meat is thoroughly cooked.
8. Turn heat down to lowest setting.
9. Place cheese strips over the meat and cover the pan to allow the cheese to melt.
10. Toast buns if you like then use a spatula to move the cheese covered meat to the buns.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Yes, absolutely! Philly cheesesteak ingredients can differ from place to place as the sandwich is loved and adapted by many different regions. You can add bell peppers, banana peppers, or even hot peppers to this sandwich, just toss them in while you sautee the onions. The same goes for mushrooms.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Philly cheesesteak with french fries, potato chips, onion rings, sweet potato fries, or coleslaw. Feel free to add a dash of hot sauce on top for an extra twist of flavor. It’s up to you whether you want to toss in peppers, mushrooms, or any other veggie to your Philly. Optionally toast your hoagie rolls with butter before loading the beefy, cheesy mixture on top. Enjoy!

More Sandwich Recipes

• Shrimp Po Boy
• Reuben Sandwich
• Corned Beef Sandwich
• Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
• Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers
• Sausage and Peppers
• Cuban Sandwich

I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!