Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

This classic recipe for Philly cheesesteak sandwiches is the ultimate comfort food! Made with thinly sliced ribeye, American cheese, onions, and hoagie rolls. You’ll make a restaurant-style classic from scratch that rivals the original Philadelphia iconic meal.

Serve these with fries, onion rings, or creamy coleslaw for a completely delicious lunch or dinner option.

You just can’t go wrong making a warm and comforting Philly cheesesteak. What’s not to like about tender pieces of sliced beef topped with sweet caramelized onions stuffed in a toasted hoagie roll and topped with cheese? 

This classic sandwich was popularized in the 20th century when Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor, threw beef on his grill and added it to an Italian roll and it took off! Cheesesteaks have become an American classic and are now served at most restaurants around the country even though the two rival spots in Philidelphia still serve them in the original location.

Why You’ll Love These Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

• You’ll make a famous restaurant-quality iconic sandwich right at home at any time. 
• Philly cheesesteak is warm, flavorful, and comforting. 
• A great sandwich to serve on game day or for a quick weeknight dinner. 
• You can customize it by using your favorite cheese and toppings. 
• The beef is sliced thin so it’s nice and tender in every bite. 

Ingredient Notes

• Boneless Ribeye Steak – Ribeye is a cut of meat that stays tender with a short amount of cooking time making it the perfect candidate for Philly Cheesesteak. 
• Onion – Gets diced up and caramelized for a sweet onion flavor that pairs well with beef and cheese. 
• White American Cheese – Melted American cheese gives the sandwich its classic melted creamy taste and flavor.  
• Italian Hoagie Rolls – These long rolls are soft on the inside and slightly crusty on the outside and best when buttered and toasted.  
• Softened Butter – Needed to enhance the flavor and texture of the toasted roll. 
• Garlic – Gets added to the softened butter for an infusion of garlic flavor. 
• Cooking Oil – Needed to cook the steak in a skillet until nice and tender. 
• Garlic, Salt & Pepper – Helps season the steak and enhance all the flavors.

How To Make Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Step 1. Prepare the ribeye. Cover and freeze ribeye steak for 45 minutes. Slice the steak into thin slices. The thinner the better. 

Step 2. Assemble the garlic butter. In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic and softened butter. If using unsalted butter, season with salt. 

Step 3. Caramelize the onions. Add 1 tbsp of oil to a large skillet and cook the diced onion for 5-6 minutes or until caramelized. Remove the onions from the skillet and set them aside. 

Step 4. Cook the beef. Add more oil to the skillet if needed and add the sliced beef. Increase the heat to high, season the beef with salt, pepper, and granulated garlic. Cook the beef for 3-4 minutes or until the beef is fully cooked. Stir the onions into the beef and check for seasoning. 

Step 5. Prepare the rolls. While the beef cooks, slice the rolls 3/4’s of the way and spread the garlic butter on each side. Toast the buns on a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 6. Assemble the cheesesteak. Place the slices of cheese on top of the beef and onions and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 1 minute. Add a generous amount of beef, cheese, and onion to each roll and enjoy!

Top Tips

• Make sure you are freezing the ribeye before slicing thin. Strips that are too thick will be tough and chewy changing the texture of the sandwich. 
• When cooking beef in the skillet, discard any excess beef fat as it can weigh down the sandwich and make it soggy. 
• If you’re using unsalted butter in the garlic butter, add some salt for flavor. 
• Hoagie rolls can be toasted under the broiler for 1-2 minutes instead of in the pan.

Variations

• Add sliced bell peppers and mushrooms to saute in the skillet for more veggies. 
• Give the sandwich a kick of spice by sauteing the beef and onions with a pinch of cayenne pepper. 
• Use your favorite cheese to top this sandwich including provolone, cheddar, cheese whiz, or a spicy pepper jack.
• Give it an Italian flavor by drizzling on some of your favorite pizza sauce. 
• Add some crunch by topping the final sandwich with crispy onions or onion rings. 
• Don’t like beef? Try making a chicken cheesesteak using thinly sliced chicken breast.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Cooked beef and onions can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat on a skillet and add to toasted roll to enjoy leftovers. 

Freezing: You can freeze the beef and onion mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months. When ready to use, remove from freezer and let thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving. 

FAQ‘s

Does it need to have onions?

No, it doesn’t but caramelized onions add a great flavor that is savory and slightly sweet which pairs well with the thinly sliced ribeye. 

What other cuts of beef can I use?

Although ribeye is best, you can also use; filet mignon, top round, flank steak, or strip sirloin. 

How do I reheat any leftover steak?

Add leftover steak and onions to a frying pan over low heat and cook until hot. You can also heat in a microwave-safe bowl.

More Delicious Sandwich Recipes You’ll Enjoy

• Fried Fish Sandwiches
• Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich
• Egg Salad Sandwiches
• BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

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