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Smothered with melted cheese and stuffed into a hoagie roll, this authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwich is delicious in its simplicity! With just four, quick steps, this recipe will transport you to the City of Brotherly Love.
Love this recipe but would prefer a lower-calorie and carb-free version? Check out my Philly cheesesteak stuffed bell peppers.
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!
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!
How To Make Philly Cheesesteak
Making Philly cheesesteak only requires a few simple ingredients and one pan. Below, find a high-level overview of the recipe.
- Prepare the filling. Chop and sautee your veggies. Remove from pan and set to the side. Sautee thinly-sliced beef in the same pan and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add sauteed veggies back into the pan. Stir to combine. Top with cheese and let it melt naturally from the heat of meat and veggies.
- Stuff and serve. Stuff your untoasted or toasted hoagie roll with the meat mixture. Serve right away along with your favorite sides (suggestions below).
Choosing the Right Ingredients for the Philly Cheesesteak
Choosing the right ingredients for your Philly Cheesesteak makes all the difference.
- The best cheese for Philly cheesesteak: Provolone cheese works best for a Philly cheesesteak due to its neutral flavor and melt. A strong runner-up would be sliced white American cheese slices (mild or sharp). In Philadelphia, you’ll even find some food trucks and restaurants swearing by Cheez Whiz.
- The best cut of beef for Philly cheesesteak: Thinly sliced ribeye is the go-to meat choice for a classic Philly cheesesteak. The marbling of ribeye is ideal because it creates a tender, easy-to-bite sandwich.
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 the perfect sauce for a Philly cheesesteak. If you are wanting more of a punch, add horseradish to the mix or a touch of Worcestershire sauce.
- Other Cheesesteak Toppings – Some cheesesteak shops only add caramelized onions. Some also add bell peppers or mushrooms. Use all three or just one. The choice is yours!
Tips for Making the Best Philly Cheesesteak
Below, find our top tips and tricks for making the best Philly cheesesteak.
- Thinly slice your beef. Use a sharp knife to slice your beef thin. This will create a tender mixture and an easy-to-bite sandwich.
- Don’t overcook the beef. Whatever you do, don’t overcook the ribeye! The best part about this sandwich is that it melts in your mouth and is easy to bite. The meat should be so thinly sliced that you can quickly saute it. Consider investing in a mandolin slicer to shave the meat.
- Use a slow cooker for tougher beef. Don’t want to spend the big bucks on ribeye? Want cheesesteaks ready when you get home? Pop a chuck roast into the slow cooker 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 the veggies of your choice into the crockpot. Spoon the mixture onto your roll and top with cheese.
- Substitute chicken for beef. 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.
Have leftover steak in the freezer? Frozen steak is actually easier to slice thin. Let it defrost a quarter of the way, slice it thin, and throw it straight into your pan. Just keep in mind to drain any excess moisture released before adding your sauteed veggies into the mix.
FAQ
Does Philly cheesesteak have mayo?
Philly cheesesteak can be made with or without mayo. It’s purely optional.
What is the nutritional content of a Philly cheesesteak?
A 7-inch Philly cheesesteak clocks in at around 500 to 700 calories, packs a ton of protein, and contains a hefty serving of veggies.
What toppings go on a Philly cheesesteak?
Traditional Philly cheesesteak toppings include banana peppers, hot peppers, or a sprinkling of dried oregano.
Which cut of beef should I use for a Philly cheesesteak?
Ribeye is the best cut of beef to use for a Philly cheesesteak. It’s tender, well-marbled, and easy to slice.
Servings Philly Cheesesteak
Philly cheesesteak is great for your next get-together – especially if your hosting for a lot of picky kids. Another great occasion for this meaty sandwich is game day. Serve your Philly cheesesteak alongside pickles, air fryer potato chips, or air fryer french fries. If you’re looking to go a bit lighter, a classic garden salad will do the trick.
A Few More Steak Recipes
- Steak Sandwich Recipe – Classic steak sandwich
- Baked Steak with Vegetables – One-pan steak dinner
- Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes – Sloppy joes Philly-style
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders – Mini Philly cheesesteaks
Recipe
Easy Philly Cheesesteak
Print Pin
Servings
6 servings
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
Smothered with melted cheese and stuffed into a hoagie roll, this authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwich is delicious in its simplicity.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef (ribeye recommended)
- 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
- 6 Hoagie rolls
US Units – Metric
Instructions
Slice ribeye into thin strips. Cut bell peppers into long strips, onion into half rings and mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.
Preheat an oiled skillet over high-heat. Add onions, bell peppers and mushrooms to the skillet. Sautee until all veggies are golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Add sliced beef to the same skillet and season with salt and pepper. Sautee until the beef is fully cooked. Add vegetables back to the skillet and stir to combine. Top with cheese slices and let mixture sit for a minute to melt.
Stuff toasted or untoasted hoagie buns with the mixture. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Easy Philly Cheesesteak
Amount Per Serving
Calories 897 Calories from Fat 522
% Daily Value*
Fat 58g89%
Saturated Fat 25g125%
Trans Fat 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 22g
Cholesterol 160mg53%
Sodium 2112mg88%
Potassium 854mg24%
Carbohydrates 40g13%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 54g108%
Vitamin A 814IU16%
Vitamin C 35mg42%
Calcium 618mg62%
Iron 15mg83%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted June 25, 2021
About Author
ZoeMar 22, 2024 I have some brisket steak... Will that work well?
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 22, 2024 Hey Zoe, It totally could work but I would recommend a low-and-slow cooking method, such as in a slow cooker to get the meat as tender as possible.
Candy KaneMar 4, 2024 I will confess my mistake so others won’t do what I did. I followed the recipe except I think my package of shaved rib eye had quite a bit more than the recipe called for. I used the whole package without making sure of the weight. Consequently, it was so dry it wouldn’t stick together enough to stay in the sandwich, even with the right amount of provolone. My fault. I will try again because the flavor was good and the recipe is easy.
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 4, 2024 Thanks for sharing your experience with us and others Candy.
MollyRozeFeb 19, 2024 I really REALLY wanted to love this. I got shaved steak from my grocer and omitted the mushrooms as I just don’t like them. Somehow it was just plain wrong. It was okay to eat but it wasn’t as wonderful as it seems here. I used 14oz of shaved steak, a large onion and one onion. I was halving the recipe. I used almost a whole 8oz pack of provolone and it just wasn’t good. I don’t know what I did wrong.
Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 19, 2024 Hey Molly,
I’m curious what cut of beef you used as that could affect the flavor. Another thing that comes to mind is how well seasoned the meat was. Both of those can make a big difference!
NatalieJan 4, 2024 Trying this tonight since I had a flank steak I didn't know wtf to do with - the steak marinated for about 4 hours in Jack Daniel's Whiskey BBQ sauce (I was preparing for something else I scrapped since I didn't have all the ingredients) so I will update on how this is with that BBQ sauce if anyone wants a little kick (I'll be the guinea pig in case it sucks)
NatalieJan 5, 2024 This was absolutely delicious, thank you! Super easy and the BBQ sauce gave it a small kick. Not overpowering by any means, definitely making this more often.
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 4, 2024 This sounds delicious, let us know how it goes!
NatalieJan 5, 2024 Also, I had a bunch of sauce left in the pan after the filling and I loved it so much I was like - how can I use this? I sautéed some more mushrooms, and made a grilled cheese sandwich but I mixed the very last remnants with softened butter and put it on the top and bottom of the sandwich. It was a really delicious mushroom melt grilled cheese. Just in case anyone is serving this twice and runs of out of one for themselves (me, I did that.)
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 5, 2024 Yum! Now that's a delicious way to use up extra sauce!
REGINAOct 19, 2023 -I WAS NEVER WAS SHOWN HOW TO COOK SAID I WASN'T ABLE TO LEARN- BULL- I LEARNING NOW AND WITH EASY RECIPE IT REALY HELP, THINK FOR GIVING PEOPLE LIKE ME- EASY RECIPE, MY FAMILY IS HAPPY THAT I COOKING NOW
Natalya DrozhzhinOct 19, 2023 Hi Regina, I love that our simple, easy recipes are inspiring you to cook! Homemade is always best - and we believe it doesn't have to be time consuming or difficult to be delicious! Enjoy!
neville phoenixSep 22, 2023 very nice to watch
Natalya DrozhzhinSep 22, 2023 Thank you Neville!
Patty SkawinskiJul 17, 2023 Can I prepare the entire mixture and freeze it for later use?
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 17, 2023 Hi Patty, Yes, you can freeze the filling for up to three months. Enjoy!
MartyJun 4, 2023 Pretty close to how I make them. I use a green and a red pepper. I went back and didn't see mayo another commentor mentioned but my husband loves mayo on the hoagie. I'm just a plain hoagie kind of gal. The cheese is enough for me. Simple solution... I put mayo on his hoagie and I don't put it on mine. Thanks for posting.. they were pretty intimidating when I first started trying to make them. Now my problem is I want to overstuff the hoagie but that's why God made forks. Yummy
Natalya DrozhzhinJun 5, 2023 Hi Marty, thanks for that tip. I think humans made forks lol.... But I agree... Its so easy to adopt to your own liking. I love the idea of mixing both bell pepper. Have a great day!
AdrianaMay 6, 2023 My husband and I loved them so much last week we are having them again tonight. Followed your recipe which is quick and easy 👍🏼 Thanks for sharing.
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 6, 2023 Hi Adriana, I am thrilled that you loved this recipe! Thank you for sharing your feedback with me! Enjoy!
CateMar 25, 2023 You lost me at Mayo. There is just no way. If you want sauce on the cheesesteak, it's a red sauce, something like a marinara.
LarryJan 29, 2024 You're objectively wrong mayo goes on a Philly cheese steak marinara is a wild preference lmao.
JasonJan 13, 2024 Food is an art so Cheesesteak sandwiches you can put whatever you like on it
Bob SMay 7, 2023 Right, Cate, much loved Dallessandro's serves pizza steaks with red sauce and provolone. Mayo may be served with mayo on "Philly cheesesteaks" in Boise, but not usually in Philly. Having said that, I'm the last person to tell anyone what they should or shouldn't put on what they eat. Natalya, mayo or not, your cheesesteak does look delicious.
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 8, 2023 Hi Bob, I appreciate you saying that! Thank you for your honesty!
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 27, 2023 Hey Cate, I have never heard of anyone using Marinara sauce for Philly. Are you talking about meatball sandwich? Thanks for stopping by!
Craig CooperMar 23, 2023 The best Philly cheese steak I ever had at a restaurant was made with skirt steak.
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 24, 2023 Hey there Craig, thank you so much for that tip! I hope you get to try this recipe. Have a great day!
Dan WalshMar 16, 2023 Philly cheese steaks I grew up with in Allentown, PA had a spaghetti type sauce on top then the cheese. Miss them so much but will give this a try.
ThanksNatalya DrozhzhinMar 17, 2023 Hi Dan, I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! Thank you for reaching out!!
MonicaMar 13, 2023 How long do you cook rib eye strips for?
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 13, 2023 Hi Monica, It really depends on how thick you cut the meat and the done-ness you prefer. The only thing I would recommend is don't overcook the meat because it will be too tough. I hope this helps.
MaggieMar 2, 2023 Made this for our lunch My husband loved it I added small amount of bacon .Thank you Love your recipes Juststarted following you👏🏻👏🏻🇨🇦
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 2, 2023 Hi Maggie, welcome to the momsdish community! I am so happy to have you here! Thank you for your feedback, the added bacon sounds delicious!
KFeb 23, 2023 Hi! This looks absolutely delicious I will hopefully make this soon. About How many provolone slices is 1 pound?
Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 23, 2023 Hi there! It's one standard package worth of Provolone cheese, I hope this helps. Thank you for reaching out!
Bradley H BatemanJul 9, 2023 Hi
Actually
A LB of cheese is 16oz
A standard slice package is 8oz here in the USAJust an FYI
But I'd double the cheese anyways
Cheeae rules!!
Thank a for the recipe
Currently browning the veggies!!!Natalya DrozhzhinJul 10, 2023 Hi Bradley- you're correct, most packs of pre-sliced cheese are 8oz. Sorry about that! I totally agree though, can't go wrong with an extra cheesy philly! Enjoy!
Dawn VanEveryFeb 19, 2023 I’ve made these a few time I do everything you do but I make my own bbq sauce add it to the meat once cook then I make my own garlic sauce and after I put the meat in bun I top it with my garlic sauce it’s a hit everyone loves it
Shad OsteenApr 11, 2023 Great idea with the bbq sauce.
Used that with minced garlic bell peppers onions with leftover pork tenderloin. Not as good as ribeye but still delish!Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 19, 2023 Hi Down, this sounds so incredible. Thank you for sharing your tips.
MartinFeb 5, 2023 I'm a new follower to your cooking show/web site, so far I am pleased with the content, you keep it simple and easy. I don't always have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen cooking so these easy recipe's are a great fit for my life.
Thank you,
MartinNatalya DrozhzhinFeb 6, 2023 Martin, I am so happy to hear this. I feel ya and its no fun to be in the kitchen for hours. Keep me in the loop as you try our recipes. Thanks for the comment.
Raphael CastroFeb 4, 2023 Looks great, I"ll have to try this. Great demo, i.e. video. I also like the fact that you have the list of items needed to make this recipe.
Thank you very much! Raphael
Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 5, 2023 Hi Raphael, I am glad you found this recipe and video helpful! I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! I would love to know what you think when you do make it!
HeatherNov 15, 2022 Philly Cheesesteaks are a great way to use up a leftover beef roast. Slice it up nice and thin. I start sauteing the peppers first. About halfway through, I add the onions. Once those are nearing doneness, add the meat. Get the meat cooked, then the cheese. Mix it all up til the cheese is melted and everything is covered. Throw it on a roll and add some hot sauce. Perfect.
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 16, 2022 Hi Heather, Thanks for the great tips! I agree with you that they are a great way to use up that leftover beef roast! Thanks for your input. Enjoy!
Vee LabellaNov 5, 2022 chill the onions overnight ,,,no tears
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 5, 2022 Hi Vee, Oh that's an interesting tip! Is that what you do with onions? Does it really work?
BryanOct 6, 2022 I have made these for my family many times. My son has also. So simple and delicious. I think they are great as is but my son likes to add granulated garlic to the veggies and that’s good too. I used canned mushrooms and it was still good. Fresh is better. I’ve done them with sirloin tip, London broil, New York steaks and round steak. We always go heavy on the peppers cause we are pepper freaks I suppose. All work great!! Thanks for the great recipe.
Natalya DrozhzhinOct 7, 2022 Hi Bryan- thanks for the feedback! I'm glad to hear that y'all are enjoying it so much that you've made it several times. 😀
Susan CarnahanSep 8, 2022 I am so excited to find this recipe from you! My husband sold our grill and then realized we had a steak in the freezer - we are moving and I wanted to use everything up!
I am going to make these sandwiches tomorrow, all I need are the rolls.
I plan on taking a picture of them tomorrow! I’ve been watching you on Pinterest! Glad to find this! SusanNatalya DrozhzhinSep 8, 2022 Hey Susan- You will love them, they are so tasty and come together really easily. Hope you have a smooth move!
John CarstonSep 8, 2022 I like that you said that a cheesesteak is recognized as one of the best street food. A couple of days ago, my sister informed me that she was planning to try a Philly cheesesteak sandwich for the first time for our family gathering next week, and she asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article, I'll be sure to tell her that we can try the cheesesteak sandwich that I know as they have good reviews.
Natalya DrozhzhinSep 8, 2022 Hey John- enjoy these Philly cheesesteak sandwiches! They're the best, homemade always is! 😉
DonnaAug 15, 2022 Looks delicious! We are trying them tonight!!
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 16, 2022 Hi Donna- hope you loved these sandwiches!
James BrizendineAug 6, 2022 I finally made this philly cheese steak for my brother in law and I it turned out just like the picture showed and instead of provolone i used jack cheese
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 8, 2022 Hi James, I'm glad you gave our recipe a try. Hope your brother in law loved it as much as we do!
AJul 23, 2022 Good for a quick recipe. I think there should be some added seasonings for the steak because it's quite bland.
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 23, 2022 Hi- I really love it with just salt & pepper, especially when using a cut of beef like ribeye. That being said, if you feel like it's missing something, please add more seasonings to your taste!
E ReynoldsMay 15, 2022 I love this recipe! I made it for large party of hockey fans. I bought pre- sliced ribe eye Iin the meat cooler at Publix as suggested by the butcher. Using my iron skillet on the grill, I sauted the mushrooms, onions and green.pepper individually in batches, transferring all to a large deep, heavy casserole pan. Then, I sauted the rib eye. When done all were mixed together. Keeping large pan on the grill, I covered the entire dish with sliced round provolone and closed the grill lid. A few minutes later it was done! Everyone loved it. I had slider buns and people made their own sliders. These were friends from PA and the said it tasted like from back home.
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 16, 2022 Oh wow! That's such cool feedback to get. Thanks so much for sharing. I hope these sandos bring you and your friends great memories in the future.
paula huffMar 27, 2022 use red, yellow and orange bell peppers and no mushrooms but it turned out great and very filling.
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 27, 2022 Yum! This recipe is a winner even if you omit the mushrooms. Glad you enjoyed it, Paula!
SharonJan 25, 2022 Actually, using a chuck pot roast turns this sandwich into a New Orleans roast beef po' boy if you add a little cornstarch to make gravy.
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 26, 2022 Hello, Sharon- Oh that's interesting, I didn't know that! Thank you for sharing.
BrianJan 8, 2022 Looks pretty dam good in picture so TONITE I make your sandwich and looking forward to it
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 9, 2022 Yay! Thanks, Brian. Hope you love it. Let me know what you think!