Classic Philly Cheesesteak Is a Fun, Filling Dinner (2024)

Recipes
Dinners
Family Dinners

Enjoy the classic Philadelphia steak sandwich at home anytime you want.

Nick Evans

Nick has been creating recipes for home cooks for almost 15 years. He is the author of Love Your Leftovers and has contributed to Simply Recipes since 2017.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated June 17, 2024

History of the Cheesesteak Sandwich

The original cheesesteak was made by a hot dog cart vendor in the early 20th century. The exact details are hotly contested, but most credit Pat & Harry Olivieri as the original creators. There are two shops in Philly right across the street from each other that are in heavy cheesesteak competition, Pat’s and Geno’s. I refuse to pick a side. They are both great!

How to Make a Philly Cheesesteak

If you can’t get to Philadelphia easily to pick up a cheesesteak sandwich, then your next best shot is to make it at home. The layout of the sandwich is simple (steak, onions, bell peppers, cheese, and bread), but the details are important. Here are a few key things to consider when making your sandwich:

You want your steak to be thinly sliced. If possible, you can have your butcher shave it for you. At home, you can stick the steak in the freezer for 10 minutes to make it really stiff and then shave it with your sharpest knife. Trim off any large pieces of fat, but some fat is good.
The original cheesesteak can be ordered with only steak or with steak and onions (“wit” is the ordering lingo there). Personally, I like onions and bell peppers, so I do both. You can make it your own since you are making it at home!
The onions and peppers need to cook much longer than the steak so cook them first separately and then combine everything together with the cheese to finish the dish.

Classic Philly Cheesesteak Is a Fun, Filling Dinner (5)

What Kind of Steak to Use for Cheesesteak

You want to use a nice cut of steak that has some marbled fat on it and is really tender. As the thin steak cooks, the fat melts a bit and makes each piece of steak very tender. Personally, I like to use rib eye for mine (it has better marbling, but it’s more expensive). Top round is also a classic cheesesteak option. Do not use tougher meat cuts like flank steak or brisket. They will be really chewy in the final sandwich.

What Kind of Cheese Goes on Philly Cheesesteaks?

There are two options here: provolone or Cheez Whiz, a shelf-stable cheese product sold in jars. If I’m being honest, American cheese is also pretty delicious, but let’s keep it somewhat classic with the cheese.

Personally, I like to use BOTH. I melt some provolone over the steak as it cooks and then drizzle on some Cheez Whiz right before serving. I like the texture of the Cheez Whiz and the flavor that the provolone gives the sandwich. Provolone has a sharper bite to it while the Cheez Whiz is just a completely creamy, almost nacho cheese situation.

You can make it however you like. Use both, skip the Cheez Whiz if you can’t find it, or use your own favorite cheese.

Classic Philly Cheesesteak Is a Fun, Filling Dinner (6)

Swaps and Substitutions

Once you have the basics of the sandwich down, you can keep it classic, or you can make this your own. Your choice! Here are a few ideas:

Use thinly sliced chicken breast instead of steak
Add sautéed mushrooms to the sandwich
Make it a pizza cheesesteak with marinara and mozzarella

Readers From Philly Chime In

JJK: "Provolone is the way to go. Peppers are just an option not the standard. However, be creative!!! More emphasis should be placed on the roll, it can make or break the sandwich. In my opinion, John's Roast Pork in South Philly is the best."

Helen: "I myself like peppers and caramelized onions. But positively do agree about the bland cheese (no bland cheese on this) .... with onions & peppers and steak, my preference is a hardy cheese with this hardy sandwich... pepper jack or sharp cheddar are my choices. But each to their own."

Carissa: "I am from the area and there are so many delicious variations that go beyond Geno's and Pat's - dirty little secret. Most of the pizza shops around here make cheesesteaks with a little pizza sauce mixed into the meat, onion and green bell pepper, and provolone, which I find delicious. And there's another independent shop nearby that makes theirs with a simple tomato sauce, onions, American, and pickles on top. Sounds weird but also delicious! Or maybe just because I grew up on all the different versions, lol. Make what you crave!"

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Philly Cheesesteak

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time17 mins

Ingredients

10 to 12 ounces ribeye steak
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 medium sweet onion, sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
2 ounces (3 slices) provolone cheese
2 hoagie rolls, toasted
1/4 cup Cheez Whiz, warmed
Fresh thyme, for garnish, optional

Method

Freeze and slice the steak:
Place steak in the freezer on a sheet pan for about 10 minutes so it gets very cold but not frozen through.
Trim off any large pieces of fat normally around the edges of the steak, but some veins of fat in the middle of the steak are good. Slice the steak as thin as possible with a sharp knife. You won’t be able to get it paper thin without a meat slicer, but slice as thin as you can. Season steak with salt and pepper.
Cook the onions and peppers:
In a large skillet set over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil along with sliced onions and peppers. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions and peppers have softened and start to caramelize around the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Don’t rush them!
Cook the steak:
Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon ofolive oil and the sliced steak. Spread out the steak in the skillet in a thin even layer so it covers as much surface area as possible. Cook for a minute or two and then stir to finish cooking the steak. It might need another minute or two, but it will cook very quickly.
Finishing the cheesesteak:
Turn heat down to low on the steak and add the peppers and onions to the steak mixture and stir to combine. Add the provolone slices to the top of the steak mixture and let the cheese melt. Stir to combine, once the cheese has melted.
Assemble the cheesesteaks and serve:
Evenly scoop the cheesesteak mixture into the toasted hoagie rolls. The hoagie rolls should be packed! Optionally, drizzle the cheesesteaks with warm Cheez Whiz for maximum cheesiness. Sprinkle fresh thyme over top and serve.
Did you love the recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

Family Dinners
Comfort Food
Beef
Sandwiches
US Regional

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
994	Calories
55g	Fat
70g	Carbs
57g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories	994
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 55g	70%
Saturated Fat 23g	113%
Cholesterol 155mg	52%
Sodium 1670mg	73%
Total Carbohydrate 70g	25%
Dietary Fiber 6g	23%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 57g
Vitamin C 149mg	746%
Calcium 472mg	36%
Iron 7mg	41%
Potassium 1055mg	22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Classic Philly Cheesesteak Is a Fun, Filling Dinner (2024)

FAQs

What do you serve with Philly cheesesteak? ›

What should I serve with my Philly cheesesteak? Anything you want! Some common classics are French fries, coleslaw, potato salad, or potato chips, but this sandwich is so filling, it'll easily be the star of the show—don't stress about the side.

Discover More ›

What is a classic Philly cheesesteak? ›

Authentic Philly Cheesesteak is made with ribeye steak that's sliced into thin slices, and topped with melted provolone cheese, white American cheese, or Cheez Whiz, as well as fried onions, all on a toasted hoagie roll.

Read On ›

What makes a Philly cheesesteak so good? ›

The main ingredient is thinly sliced steaks from various cuts of beef, with rib-eye considered the top-of-the-shelf cut. The quality of the roll is also key to a cheesesteak connoisseur's appreciation of a sandwich.

What's the difference between a Philly cheesesteak and a regular cheesesteak? ›

However, the main difference between the two is that a Philly cheesesteak is a specific type of cheesesteak that originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is made with thinly sliced ribeye steak, grilled onions, and melted cheese, typically served on a hoagie roll.

Get More Info Here ›

What sauce do you eat with Philly cheesesteak? ›

If you are looking for an authentic Philadelphia experience, you should try using Whiz Cheese Sauce. This sauce is made by mixing shredded cheese with mayonnaise, mustard and other ingredients. You can also use Cheez Whiz as an alternative if you do not like the taste of mayonnaise.

Read On ›

Does a classic Philly cheesesteak have mayo? ›

Crafted with premium steak, grilled onions, American cheese, mushrooms, bell peppers, provolone cheese, light mayo on our fresh-baked bread.

Discover More ›

What is the best meat for Philly cheesesteak? ›

Which Cut of Beef Should I Use? Ribeye is the steak of choice for Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. It is well-marbled and tender when cooked. Another cut that we have used with great results is flank steak which is lean but very tender when cut against the grain.

Get More Info ›

What's the difference between a Chicago cheesesteak and a Philly cheesesteak? ›

The Windy City's known for its Italian Beef--roasted at places like Al's (where they keep it in the oven four hours) before being topped by sweet/hot peppers and dipped in the beef's juice. In Philly, they chow down with cheesesteaks, grilled atop onions and then topped with (you guessed it) cheese.

Read On ›

What is the famous rivalry of Philly cheesesteak? ›

Geno's Steaks is located directly across the street from Pat's, fueling the rivalry between these two famous cheesesteak shops. Many Philadelphia natives consider Geno's and rival Pat's to be tourist trap cheesesteaks due to their mass tourist appeal.

What is the average cost of a Philly cheesesteak? ›

Don't worry, though: the average cheesesteak will only cost you $10 to $15. Steak itself isn't even a requirement. Get local insight on destinations all over the world with our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.

Read On ›

Why do people like Philly cheesesteak? ›

Just the word elicits pangs of hunger among the millions of cheesesteak enthusiasts in America and around the world. The secret to its appeal probably is the simplicity it has retained since the Great Depression, when it was invented as an alternative to the hot dog.

Explore More ›

What does a real Philly cheesesteak have on it? ›

There are few sandwiches more iconic than the Philly cheesesteak. This humble sandwich of thinly sliced griddled beef is an oldie but a goodie. Topped with Cheez Whiz, Provolone, or American cheese and, if you like, “wit' or wit'out” grilled onions, this steak sandwich is a beloved regional masterpiece.