The Best Philly Cheesesteak
The real deal right in your own kitchen, this is the Best Philly Cheesesteak sandwich on the internet. Thinly sliced beef, melted Deli American, sautĆ©ed onions stuffed into a crusty rollā¦one bite and youāll think youāre hanging out in old South Philadelphia.
Philly Cheesesteak
Having lived in the Philadelphia area my entire lifeā¦Iāve been fortunate to have tried just about every cheesesteak in every neighborhood you can think of. From the original Philly cheesesteak meccas to the flashy guys across the street, there is a rival cheesesteak just about everywhere you look.
Most Philadelphians will tell you itās not a cheesesteak if it isnāt ordered āWiz Witā (thatās processed cheese spread with onions for those of you not in the cheesesteak know) but Iām here to tell you I disagree. To me the BEST Philly Cheesesteak is made with American cheese.
Head out further from the city center and most cheesesteak joints toss their sliced meat with a mixture of onions and melted American cheese. The result is creamy, beefy bliss that sort of melts onto your tastebuds like a cozy blanket on a cold winter day. You canāt get that with āwizā. You just canāt.
What is a Philly Cheesesteak?
The Philadelphia Cheesesteak (as itās formally known), is a steak sandwich served in a long, crusty sub or hoagie roll and is popular in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The steak is usually made of ribeye beef and is topped or tossed with cheese and onions.
Most Philly Cheesesteaks are served with a processed cheese spread and onions are totally optional but the BEST Philly Cheesesteaks are tossed generously with melted American cheese.
How To Make a Philly cheesesteak
To make a homemade Philly cheesesteak the best it can be you must start with the highest quality ingredients. I like to have my butcher thinly slice a ribeye steak so the meat fries up quickly. Theyāre usually pretty happy to do it.
Otherwise, a lot of well stocked grocery stores sell thinly sliced beef thatās perfect for your sandwich. Itās made from the ends of larger cuts so you wonāt need to worry about the grade of beef because itās, most likely, a combination of all the good stuff. And I like to use sliced American cheese from my deli counter in just about any sandwich creation! Itās creamy with a very mild flavor and the meltability canāt be beat.
- Add a bit of oil to a pan and cook the onions over medium heat until they start to turn golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Transfer the onions to a bowl.
- Add the steak to the pan and cook until no longer pink, approximately 4-5 minutes. Drain off most of the fat.
- Add the onions back to the pan and stir to combine.
- Place the cheese slices in a single layer on top of the steak mixture and allow to melt.
- Toss the steak with the slices to combine.
- Divide the steak evenly among 2 rolls.
- Serve immediately.
What cut of beef is used for Cheesesteaks?
MOST, if not all, Philly Cheesesteaks are made with thinly sliced ribeye.
I have stumbled upon a few cheesesteak imposters that used ground beef (noā¦just no), something that resembled beef but I still think it was not, and onceā¦a whole steak was placed on a roll with a slice of cheese melted on top.
Stick with ribeye. And if you canāt find that, thinly sliced sirloin will do the trick in a pinch as long as itās sliced across the grain(as all sliced meat should be.)
Serving Suggestions
Most all of the Cheesesteak places have a variety of condiments to serve with your cheesesteak sandwich. Our favorite topping is a hot red pepper sauce that I believe to be just pureed pickled HOT cherry peppers.
Also, I like to serve something crunchy with my cheesesteak, like Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips. Theyāre amazing.
More Easy Sandwich Recipes
If youāre looking for MORE Philly classic recipes to make at home, you have GOT to try this Slow Cooker Roast Pork Sandwichā¦.inspired by the same one found at the Reading Terminal Marketā¦.but mine is better. š (Also, fantastic topped with American cheese or sliced provolone!)
Or this Slow Cooker Chicken Cheesesteak which isn’t really a cheesesteak because it’s not beef….and it’s made in the slow cooker…..but it’s still flipping amazing!!
We also love these Philly cheesesteak Sloppy Joes.…all the flavor in one big skillet!
If you have some ground beef that needs to be used, this classic Chopped Cheese is just as good as my favorite cheesesteak and quick, too!
So, if you canāt make it to Philadelphia anytime soon (but please try to come, the city is simply spectacular, I really love it here) you can get a taste of it in your very own home. And in about 10 minutesā¦because I love you.
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Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 pound thinly sliced ribeye, or other thinly sliced steak cut across the grain.
- 5 slices American Cheese
- 2 6- inch long rolls, sliced horizontally but not all the way through.
Equipment
- 1 skillet
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent and beginning to turn golden brown.
- Transfer the onions to a bowl.
- Add the steak to the pan. Cook until brown and no longer pink, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Drain the fat off the pan and return to the heat.
- Stir the onions into the steak.
- Turn off the heat. Arrange the Deli American slices in a single layer over the steak and allow to melt, approximately 1 minute.
- Stir the steak and the slices combine.
- Divide the steak mixture evenly between the two rolls.
- Serve immediately.
Video
10 Comments on “The Best Philly Cheesesteak”
This is the first time someone ever said that a cheese steak is just the steak, the cheese and the roll. I have had it WizWit and with American cheese and I have also had it with Cooper Sharp and it’s all good just no stupid peppers in it. I miss my Philly cheese steaks, live too far to get one.
Now you can make them at home! I hate peppers and mushrooms and all the other stuff people throw in their “Philly” cheesesteak. You can order Amoroso rolls online!
As a native Philadelphian, thank you for not putting peppers on this! This is exactly how I like my plain cheesesteaks, American cheese and all!
OMG……right? What is with all these people and their peppers???? Thank you for your comment! Go Birds!
Okay, so, never heard of real American cheese… was always under the impression that “real” American cheese was that plastic rubbish you get in little plastic squares – having spent many years making stilton, cheddar, double Gloucester, red Leicester etc (“proper” cheese) i would be very interested to try this real American cheese… I wonder where I can get it…
Hi John, I’m not sure American Cheese is available in the UK but Edam would be a good substitute or a very mild white cheddar cheese would do nicely.
Thank Goodness finally a post that is correct and there are no green peppers! I agree American is good but I still like whiz better. Born and raised in Philadelphia. I think you can’t say you from unless you pay the wage tax
True story about the wage tax…..but once you pay it you can say you’re a true Philadelphian even if you move to the burbs. š
Thank you. FINALLY a genuine Philly gal who has posted a genuine Philly cheese steak recipe. I too prefer American or provolone but “wit wiz” IS the original.
Now originally being from the other end of the state, we put fries on top of everything. Go “Stillers!” I see you’re an “Iggle” fan.
I’m going to be dreaming about this gorgeous sandwich! I haven’t had the real deal in ages – guess I’ll just have to make it at home! Thank you!