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 BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (1)
Table of Contents
  1. What You'll Need
  2. How to Make Philly Cheese Steak
  3. Recipe FAQ's
  4. Tips for Success
  5. Substitutions and Variations
  6. More Sandwich Recipes
  7. Philly Cheesesteak Recipe Recipe

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!

The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (2)
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (3)

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.
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (4)

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.)
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (5)
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (6)
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (7)
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (8)
  1. Add onions. Next, add the sautéed onions back to the pan with the meat and stir together.
  2. 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.
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (9)
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (10)
  1. 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.
  2. Prepare rolls. Carefully split the hoagie rolls lengthwise approximately ¾ of the way through with a serrated knife.
  3. 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.
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (11)
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (12)

Recipe FAQ's

What is a traditional 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. It's pure sandwich perfection!

How do I store Philly Cheese Steak?

Store leftover meat and onions separate from the hoagie rolls in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 4 days for best results. You can assemble and reheat the sandwiches under the broiler or in the microwave briefly before serving them again if you like.

Are there bell peppers in Philly Cheesesteak?

Since gaining popularity, the original recipe has been tweaked to include bell peppers, and sometimes mushrooms, but a traditional Philly Cheesesteak only has steak, onion, and cheese on a toasted roll.

I happen to love the addition of peppers and have no qualms about adding them when making Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, but left them out in the recipe below for the sake of authenticity.

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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!

What to Serve with a Philly Cheese Steak

Any classic deli sides will go with these delicious sandwiches.

Try my Crispy Potato Wedges, or these Homemade French Fries, alongside some Homemade Coleslaw and even this Broccoli Salad with Bacon!

Serve with a glass of cold Blackberry Lemonade or Strawberry Lemonade!

The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (13)

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.
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (14)
The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (15)

More Sandwich Recipes

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

Sandwiches

Cubanos (Cuban Sandwich Recipe)

Dinner

Blue Bayou Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Beef & Lamb

Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.

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The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (19)

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Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

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Amy Nash

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

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Servings 4 servings

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!

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ribeye steak, trimmed and sliced very thin*
  • 2 teaspoons coarse Kosher salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil, divided
  • 8 slices mild provolone cheese, white American cheese, or melted Cheez Whiz
  • 4 hoagie rolls, sliced ¾ way through
  • 4 Tablespoons salted butter, softened
  • 1 garlic clove, finely minced
  • 2-4 Tablespoons mayonnaise

Instructions

  • 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. Set aside.

  • Chop onions and set aside. Carefully split the hoagie rolls lengthwise approximately ¾ of the way through with a serrated knife.

  • 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.

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Saute onions for 8-10 minutes until they begin to caramelize slightly. Transfer sauteed onions to a bowl and set aside.

  • Increase the heat to medium-high and add 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. Add the sauteed onions back to the pan with the meat and stir together.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Notes

  • Adding peppers: While not included in the original Philly cheesesteak, you can add 1 sliced green bell pepper and saute it with the onions until softened.

Nutrition

Calories: 995kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 62g | Fat: 68g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 27g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 198mg | Sodium: 2003mg | Potassium: 773mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 725IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 371mg | Iron: 6mg

Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @HouseOfNashEats or tag #houseofnasheats!

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About the author

The BEST Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches - House of Nash Eats (24)

Hi, I'm Amy

I enjoy exploring the world through food, culture, and travel and sharing the adventure with mostly from-scratch, family friendly recipes that I think of as modern comfort cooking.

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FAQs

What is the most famous Philly cheesesteak? ›

Home of the original cheesesteak, Pat's King of Steaks is still owned and operated by the legendary Olivieri family, whose patriarch and founder Pat invented the first steak sandwich in 1930, then added cheese to the mix a decade later.

What are 2 famous cheesesteak in Philly? ›

GENO'S vs PAT'S

They also have a place in the history of this beloved sandwich! Thankfully, this isn't about who made the Philly cheesesteak, it's about who does it best. Both Geno's and Pat's are frequently rated quite highly and considered some of the best places to eat in the city.

What is the secret to a good Philly cheesesteak? ›

What Makes a Real, Authentic Philly Cheesesteak Recipe?
  • Thinly-sliced chopped ribeye steak; you want it very thin to keep the meat tender.
  • Topped with melted American cheese, provolone cheese, or Cheez Whiz.
  • Served on a hoagie roll with toppings like fried onions, mushrooms (less common), or fried bell peppers.

What is the best Philly cheesesteak steak? ›

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.

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