Best Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

If you’re anything like me, an authentic cheesesteak sandwich is one of the best meals. The best Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich uses simple ingredients and is perfect for those busy weeknight meals.

In my home, a good Philly Cheesesteak is often requested for birthday meals.

It is warm, savory, and has the best flavors all rolled into one sandwich.

With the right ingredients, you will have a dish that gets requested often. You won’t mind, either, because it is not only delicious but easy.

I have several other great meal ideas for those busy nights. If you need some ideas, check out my crockpot beef stroganoff, Italian meat sauce and spaghetti, or mini meat loaves.

These are also a great option when you feel like steak, but you want to stretch the dollar!

What is a Philly Cheese Steak?

Philly cheesesteak sandwiches are an American favorite and a regular menu item you will find at a food truck or sandwich shop.

They originated in the city of south Philadelphia in the 1930’s. A hotdog vendor felt like steak for lunch one day so he put it on an Italian roll and the cheesesteak was born.

It is simply a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll.

While the original cheesesteak is a popular to order sandwich, you can make in our own home kitchen with little effort and it will taste like the real deal.

Why you’ll Love This Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

• This is a great family friendly recipe that adults and kids will love.
• Children enjoy food that they can pick up and eat with their hands and cheesesteaks are delicious and filling for the whole family.
• Every good cheesesteak has the combination of the soft, crusty roll and the shaved steak that melts in your mouth.
• They are quick and easy with very few simple ingredients.
• Delicious cheesesteaks have a short cook and prep time, and they taste great.
• This would be a great option for a quick meal as they are perfect for busy evenings.
• Wrap these sandwiches in some aluminum foil and take them for a picnic lunch.
• These tasty cheesesteaks are a great alternative to hot dogs.

Tell me about this Classic Philly Cheesesteak

• Taste– Cheesesteaks taste amazing! You get the savory flavors from the steak and cheese while also getting a touch of sweet with the buttered hoagie roll.
• Texture– The combination of the fluffy hoagie, melty cheese, and perfectly flavored meat makes the perfect combination that tastes like it has cooked all day but takes little effort to pull together quickly.
• Ease– Aside from the searing of the meat, this Philly steak sandwich is dead simple and tastes like you got it from an authentic sandwich shop.
• Time– They are great for summer meals because you aren’t going to be spending a bunch of time over a hot stove and are easy to serve up out on the patio alfresco on nice evenings.

Ingredients for the Best Philly Cheesesteak

• Ribeye– Any cut of beef that cooks into tender, thin strips from your local butcher shop or deli counter works perfectly for this recipe. Slice it thinly against the grain with a sharp knife.
• Finely diced onion– On these sandwiches you can use white, yellow, or Vidalia onions sautéed or caramelized depending on the flavor that you are looking for.
• Mild provolone cheese– Provolone is authentic to an original Philly cheesesteak but if you’d like an extra kick of spice you could use pepper jack or any of your favorite cheeses to compliment this recipe.
• Hoagie rolls– We like to eat these Philly cheesesteak sandwiches on hoagie rolls but they would be just as good on Hawaiian rolls, seeded rolls, or good toasted bread as well.

How to make Philly Cheese Steak

1. Cook Ribeye Steak- Slice steak finely and sear it in a large skillet on medium-high heat until no longer pink. Sauté the diced onion in the center of the pan.
2. Slice Hoagies- Slice your hoagies and butter the inside. Toast them in your oven to make them buttery and delicious.
3. Layer and add Cheese- Add your steak to the hoagie and add cheese on top. Toast it until the cheese is bubbly and melted.

Optional Meats for the Best Cheesesteak

Ribeye is the meat of choice for an authentic Philly cheesesteak but you can substitute with other cuts of meat in a pinch.

• Flank steak
• Skirt steak
• Top sirloin
• Any other cut that cooks into tender, thin strips.

Can you make a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich with chicken?

Of course, the best option for any variety of cheesesteaks is a cut of beef.

Beef paired with the gooey cheese is perfect for a good Philly cheesesteak sandwich.

If you are out of beef you can substitute chicken breast for a chicken Philly as an alternative.

Slice your chicken the same as you would your steak and sauté it for great flavor.

The best cheeses for Philly Cheese Steak

Sliced mild provolone cheese is the most commonly used choice for authentic cheesesteaks but here are a few alternatives if you’d like to change up the flavor a bit.

• Pepper Jack– is a good option if you’d like to add extra kick of spice to your sandwich
• White American cheese– is a little salty, creamy when melted, and the yellow American cheese adds a little tang to it
• Cheddar– sharp white cheddar adds a cheesy tang to the meat
• Baby Swiss cheese– adds a slightly sweet taste that compliments the saltiness of the sandwich
• Gouda– adds a melt-in-your-mouth buttery taste that has subtle nutty hints of flavor
• Gruyere– adds notes of nuttiness, sweetness, and a little bit of an earthy undertones
• Fontina– adds a bit of added kick, some nuttiness and fruitiness, and buttery flavor

Perfect Add-ins for Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Cheesesteaks are delicious just as they are with your favorite cheesesteak meat, cheese, and bread.

But you can add your favorite toppings or other wholesome ingredients to change the flavor profile.

• mushrooms
• green bell peppers
• mild banana peppers
• jalapeños
• coleslaw
• A side of Au Jus dipping sauce to make it a French dip sandwich

Great Side Dishes for Cheesesteak Sandwiches

• Chips add a great crunch and a casual, quick, and easy side.
• French fries are a family favorite that compliment cheesesteaks well with no need for silverware making it especially easy for eating out on the patio or on nights where you need to eat and run. You could serve traditional or sweet potato varieties depending on your taste and preference.
• Beer-battered onion rings are another classic side to compliment Philly cheesesteaks.
• Roasted vegetables are a great option that comes together quickly and adds some vegetables to your meal.
• Coleslaw adds a cool side to a hot cheesesteak with a little bite of flavor.
• Potato salad is another option that is cool and balances the heat of your sandwich.
• Mixed green salad is a good side for a fresh healthier option.
• Fruit salad is another great healthier option for a sweeter side dish.

Tip for the Best Cheesesteak Meat

Season your meat well prior to searing it on a nice, hot skillet so the flavors permeate through the meat. 

Sprinkle some garlic powder and black pepper on the thinly sliced ribeye to create a perfect flavor combination.

You will get great cheesesteak meat for your delicious sandwich.

How to slice Cheesesteak meat easily

Slice your meat thinly sliced against the grain to get the most tender seared steak.

A little tip for making slicing steak easier… lightly frozen meat is easier to cut than completely thawed meat.

If you have thawed steak, put it in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm it up a bit so it’s easier to cut.

How to store leftover Philly Cheesesteak

Philly cheesesteaks are good stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

How to reheat leftover Cheesesteak Sandwiches

• Stovetop- In a pan, heat the sandwich filling of steak and onions with a little bit of water covered until hot. Melt cheese over top before dishing your cheesesteak filling into your hoagie bun or bread.
• Oven- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, wrap your leftover cheesesteaks in aluminum foil, and bake on a tray in the oven for 20-25 minutes. This is the preferred method for retaining a crispy and juicy cheesesteak sandwich.

Recipe for the Best Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich