Philly Cheesesteak with tender ribeye steak, melted gooey provolone, and caramelized onions hugged by a toasted garlic butter hoagie roll. This is the classic way to make a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich!
We love re-creating restaurant-quality sandwiches like French Dip and Burgers! This Cheesesteak recipe is easier than you think. Watch the video tutorial below and you’ll know why everyone is talking about it.
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What is a Philly Cheesesteak?
Philly Cheesesteak is a sandwich made with super thinly sliced ribeye steak, caramelized onion, and provolone cheese. That simple combination is the original classic as made popular on the East Coast. The Philly Cheesesteak has been modified on the West Coast to include bell peppers and mushrooms but a true “Philly” only has steak, onion and cheese served over a roll.
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. You will need a little extra oil on your cooking surface if using flank steak.
The Best Cheese for Philly Cheesesteak:
The most popular cheese is mild provolone. We have tested a variety of provolone brands and the only one we didn’t enjoy was “aged” provolone from Costco. The flavor of aged provolone cheese was overpowering. Another popular option is white American cheese. Some restaurants in Philadelphia add a Velveeta-like cheese but we like provolone best.
Pro-Tips for Thinly Slicing Beef:
The key to a great cheesesteak is super thinly sliced pieces of beef. For easier slicing, cover and freeze your steak for 30-40 minutes (freeze a thicker steak for 40 minutes and a thinner steak for 30 minutes). Cut away any excess fat and silver skin (if present) then use a sharp knife to thinly slice against the grain. Watch Natasha demonstrate this in the video tutorial below.
Time Saving Tip: Ask your butcher to super thinly slice your beef. If you pre-plan this, they could place the steak in the freezer while you do your shopping to achieve those paper-thin slices.
How to Make Philly Cheesesteak:
This is one of our easiest sandwich recipes with quick prep and even faster cooking. It is a 30-minute meal. You can cook this on the stove-top, flat cooktop or griddle.
- Butter hoagie rolls, dice onion and thinly slice beef
- Sautee onions and remove
- Sautee beef until cooked through and add back onions
- Divide into 4 portions, top each with 2 slices cheese
- Cover with buns and scrape into buns with a spatula
Creative Ways to Serve Philly Cheesesteak:
If you’re craving that beefy cheesy filling and want to skip the bun, there are so many fun ways to serve this mix including some fantastic keto (low carb) Philly Cheese Steak ideas!
- Over Cooked Pasta or stuffed into Shell Pasta
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
- (Low Carb) Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Bell Peppers
- (Low Carb) Stuffed into Portobello Mushrooms
More Top-Rated Sandwich Recipes:
- Breakfast Sandwiches – freezer friendly
- Salami Cream Cheese Sandwich – excellent to-go lunch
- Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich – restaurant copycat
- Chicken Sandwich Melts – picky eater approved!
Watch Natasha Make Philly Cheesesteak:
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Philly Cheesesteak
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ribeye steak, trimmed and thinly sliced*
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper, or to taste
- 1 sweet onion, (large), diced
- 8 slices provolone cheese, mild (not aged provolone)
- 4 Hoagie Rolls, sliced 3/4 through
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 garlic clove, pressed
- 2-4 Tbsp mayonnaise, or to taste
Instructions
- Slice hoagie rolls 3/4 of the way through with a serrated knife. Dice onions and thinly slice beef.*
- In a small bowl, stir together 2 Tbsp softened butter with 1 pressed garlic clove. Spread garlic butter onto the cut sides of 4 hoagie roll. Toast the buns on a large skillet, flat cooktop or griddle on medium heat until golden brown then set aside.
- Add 1 Tbsp oil to your pan/cooktop and sautee diced onions until caramelized then transfer to a bowl.
- Increase to high heat and add 1 Tbsp oil. Spread the super thinly sliced steak in an even layer. Let brown for a couple of minutes undisturbed then flip and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sautee until steak is fully cooked through then stir in the caramelized onions.
- Divide into 4 even portions and top each with 2 slices of cheese and turn off the heat so the cheese will melt without overcooking the meat.
- Spread a thin layer of mayo on the toasted side of each roll. Working with one portion at a time, place a toasted bun over each portion and use a spatula to scrape the cheesy beef into your bun as you flip it over. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This looks so good! I think the only thing missing is some jalapeños!
Can I make this using a small chuck roast and slicing thin?
Hi Diane! I think that will be fine, just make sure to cook it until it’s tender.
Very yummy! But I also used sliced and sauteed red & green bell peppers and sliced button mushrooms. That’s how my hubby likes them!
Sounds delicious!!
Excellent! I use mozzarella because it is mild and holds together better. If you sear the steak really quickly it is easy to cut thin also (the freezing part works too). Simple and delicious every time!
Do you know how much protein and carbs are in this?
Hi Jane! See the nutrition section at the bottom of the recipe card.
This recipe is awesome as is and absolutely delicious. Thank you Natasha for sharing and for your joy that shows with each dish you create!
Philly people are insane. American and “cheese” wizz are not cheese, and Provolone is ok, but Cheddar is by far the best cheese for anything like this. Very sharp aged cheddar. Nothing else tastes even a fraction as good.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
What a refreshing and delicious cooking video. Really enjoyed the whole thing from start to finish you go Natasha!
I’m glad to hear that, June.
Natasha, I love your recipes and your energy. I haven’t made this, but I will tonight, and I know it is gonna be great, especially after comparing your method to a few recipes from other sites. You are a winner! 🏆
Thank you, Craig!
This was amo ONG the only thing I changed was the cheese to pepper jack. That’s just to my families taste. Bit it was amazing!!!
This recipe rates 5 stars! I made this tonight. I did not change a thing. It was absolutely delicious!! My family loved it!
I’m so glad, Diane! Thank you for the review!
American cheese is made from cheddar and just re-melted with an additive…look it up.
Anyone in Philly will tell you Cooper Sharp is the cheese to use.
EAT IT. It looked so good and that little baby bite and giggling was ridiculous. Great recipe and presentation but I’d like to see you enjoy it.
Love the way you “peeled and chopped” the onion.
Your presentations and cheerful demeanor are addictively contagious.
hi, I grew up having Philly cheesesteak as a kid. When I moved I forgot about it. Until I found this recipe this bring back soo many memories!
Isn’t that the best that recipes can bring back great memories? I hope you love it.
Added mushrooms and green peppers. My favorite sandwich ever. Doing this tonight.
Yup. Cheese Wiz and onions is all you need with the beef. Yum Yum Yum.