The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (2023)

These delicious Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches have the perfect combination of thin juicy beef, sautéed onions, and melty cheese on a delicious toasted hoagie roll. It's an iconic American comfort food that is perfect for weeknight dinners and game nights!

The Classic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich is one of the most famous sandwiches in the U.S. and undoubtedly one of the most delicious! But the folks from Philly are passionate about what is and isn't a true Philly cheesesteak.

Some strongly advocate for Cheez Whiz on the sandwich while others prefer melted provolone cheese or white American cheese. You'll find plenty of Philly cheese steak recipes that call for sliced green bell peppers to be sauteed with the onions, but near as I can tell that's not actually an authentic addition.

I tried hard to research and come as close as I could to an authentic original recipe of a Philly Cheesesteak from Philidelphia experience as I could for someone living on the West Coast. I had to include it in my American Eats series where I'm trying some of the most famous foods from each state to represent Pennsylvania and these were definitely a favorite.

I've probably got things wrong, and I'm sure die-hard Philly cheesesteak fans will let me know in the comments, but even if these aren't exactly right, they certainly were delicious and we enjoyed them while watching the Eagles play in the Superbowl!

I mean, what's not to love about the combination of thinly sliced beef ribeye steak, caramelized onion, and provolone cheese on top of a toasted hoagie roll? Hard to go wrong there.

You can also check out my Classic Philly Cheesesteak Dip for a deconstructed version of this classic sandwich with the same delicious flavors in a dippable form.

For more delicious sandwich recipes, try this Classic Ruben Sandwich, my Cubanos (Cuban Sandwich), and this Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich!

What You'll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

• Steak - Chose a decentrib eye steak that's trimmed and sliced very, very thin. It helps if the steak is partially frozen if you are slicing it yourself, or you can usually get this precut from your local butcher or grocery store.
• Salt & Pepper - Use coarse Kosher salt,and freshly groundblack pepper to enhance the flavors.
• Onion - Yellow onion will bring a great savory flavor to these sandwiches.
• Oil - Vegetable oilorcanola oil is fine here.
• Cheese - Use either mild provolone cheese,white American cheese, or melted Cheez Whiz for a classic Philly Cheesesteak flavor.
• Rolls - Use sliced hoagie rolls for these luxurious sandwiches.
• Butter - Salted butter is best to make garlic butter, as it will enhance the flavor.
• Garlic - Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor. Garlic powder will work in a pinch.
• Mayonnaise - Use full-fat mayonnaise for the creamiest flavor, but low-fat mayo will work fine as well.

How to Make Philly Cheese Steak

1. Sauté onions. Chop onions and set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Sauté onions for 8-10 minutes until they begin to caramelize slightly. Transfer sauteed onions to a bowl and set aside. (Do not clean the pan yet.)

2. Freeze and slice steak. Freeze steak for 30 minutes so it is firm enough to be sliced into very thin strips using a sharp knife. Trim away any excess fat before slicing and be sure to slice as thin as you possibly can. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook steak. Heat the same pan you used for the onions to medium-high and add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pan. Once hot, add the thinly sliced steak in an even layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes without moving or touching the meat in the pan to get a nice sear. Then turn the steak slices over with a large spatula to cook on the other side until done.

4. Add onions. Next, add the sautéed onions back to the pan with the meat and stir together.
5. Add cheese. Use the spatula to separate the meat and onions into 4 portions in the pan. Cover each portion with 2 slices of provolone cheese and turn off the heat.

6. Make garlic butter. Combine softened butter and minced garlic in a bowl, mixing well. Spread the cut sides of the hoagie rolls with the garlic butter and toast on a griddle or skillet over medium heat until toasty and golden brown. Set aside.
7. Prepare rolls. Carefully split the hoagie rolls lengthwise approximately ¾ of the way through with a serrated knife.
8. Assemble sandwiches. Spread a thin layer of mayo on the cut sides of the toasted hoagie rolls, then place one roll over a portion of the meat, onions, and cheese. Use a spatula to help flip the meat onto the roll to finish your Philly cheesesteak. Serve immediately.

Recipe FAQ's

Tips for Success

• The best way of getting thin slices is to freeze the steak for 30 minutes before slicing it. This will make it easier to handle, and firm enough to be sliced into very thin strips using a sharp knife.
• Save Time: Buying pre-made garlic butter, pre-sliced beef, and pre-sliced cheese are all ways of cutting down the prep time of this dish making this easy recipe even easier!

Substitutions and Variations

• Use a different kind of cheese like Mozzarella or even Monterey Jack cheese instead of Provolone if you prefer or that's what you have on hand, but you won't get quite the same flavor or as true to the traditional cheesesteak sandwich experience.
• While not included in the original Philly Cheesesteak recipe, you can add 1 sliced green bell pepper and sauté it with the onions until softened.

More Sandwich Recipes

• Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich
• Classic Reuben Sandwich
• Leftover Prime Rib Sandwich
• Crispy Chicken Sandwich
• Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches