This is your go-to Philly Cheesesteak recipe that tastes just as good as the real thing - salty, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth cheesy perfection.
Philly Cheesesteak is an iconic dish, served up hot and fast in a Philly cheesesteak house like Pat's King of Steaks . But if you don’t happen to find yourself in Washington DC then you can try make this recipe at home.
It’s so good that my husband (who went to university in Philadelphia), gave it the tick of approval, and he’s not one to hold back on feedback, especially when it comes to food.
Sizzling thinly sliced steak, caramelised onions and melted double cheese (you'll use feta for saltiness and mozzarella for creaminess); it really doesn't get better. The moment you flip that molten cheese covered steak into your soft bread roll you'll know you're onto a winner!
Tips to make a juicy Philly Cheesesteak
First things first, you have to chill the steak. This is really important. By popping it in the freezer for even just 15 minutes, the steak will start to firm up and make it so much easier to slice. You’ll be amazed. This will help us get that distinctive Philly Steak texture, it’s this super fine meat that is cooked over a hot grill.
Next up, the onions. Don’t skimp on the onions! They’re key to this recipe. They give it a slightly sweet flavour and soft texture that makes that steak seem like it's melting.
Then we have the cheese. If you’re in the United States, then Provolone is the only cheese you want to be making this with. But if you’re like me and in the UK or Australia, and Provolone isn’t readily available, then you have to use a mixture of both feta and mozzarella cheese. That’ll give it the gooey, stretchy, melty mozzarella, with all the saltiness of the feta.
Finally, make sure you use a decent bread roll, the type you’d like to bite right into.
What's in this Philly Cheesesteak Recipe?
- Steak - use a good quality cut like eye fillet or sirloin.
- Onion - use brown onion
- Cheese: Feta AND Mozzarella - or if you're in the US, use Provolone.
- Bread roll: Ciabatta works best
- Salad: Baby cos (Romaine), celery, parsley, cucumber, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper.
Top tip
The absolute KEY to this Philly Cheesesteak recipe is finely slicing your meat. To do this, freeze your meat for 10-15 minutes. Check the bottom of your meat packet and if there’s an absorption pad, remove from packaging and wrap in glad wrap / place in tupperware and place in the freezer. If not, place straight in the freezer.
If you have a knife sharpener at home, this is a perfect time to give your knives a quick sharpen up - it'll make all the difference.
Substitutions
- Alternative proteins - A chicken or a pork fillet version won't have the same flavour, but will be just as delicious.
- Vegetarian - Instead of steak, use beyond beef ground beef. Form into patties and cook as patties, then use your flipper to chop into thinner pieces. Otherwise you could use a meaty mushroom like portobello or oyster, and sauté with Worcestershire sauce.
- Gluten Free - use gluten free buns instead of white bread buns to make this gluten free.
- Dairy Free - Use dairy free shredded parmesan and vegan cheese.
Kid-Friendly Variations
- Don't add as much salt to their serve of meat.
- Slice the roll into fingers.
- Serve green vegetables separately as crudites on the side, and skip the salad dressing.
Equipment
You will need a frying pan, stove top.
More Steak Recipes
If you like this Philly Cheesesteak, you should try
- This delicious Beef Banh Mi
- This perfect for a BBQ Steak with Everything Sauce
Recipe
Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
Equipment
- Stovetop
- Frying pan
Ingredients
- 500 g Steak Sirloin, Eye fillet, Rib eye or other good quality
- 1 Baby Cos Lettuce Romaine
- 1 Lebanese cucumber Small
- 2 tablespoon White wine vinegar
- 1 Brown onion (yellow onion)
- 100 g Feta
- 175 g Mozzarella
- 4 Hotdog rolls
- Salt and pepper
- ½ bunch chives
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Place steak in the freezer for 15 mins. This will make it easier to slice later. TIP: If your steak packet has an absorption pad, remove from packaging and wrap in cling film first.500 g Steak
- Make a simple salad while we’re waiting for the meat to chill. Slice the base from your lettuce. Slice cucumber into half moons. Slice chives. Place in a salad bowl. If your child prefers plain veggies, serve cucumber and lettuce on their plate now.1 Baby Cos Lettuce, 1 Lebanese cucumber, ½ bunch chives
- Mix together olive oil, white wine vinegar, and a generous amount of salt and pepper (opt.), and then pour over the salad. TIP: If you are preparing this in advance, don’t dress the salad until just before serving.2 tablespoon White wine vinegar, 3 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon Salt and pepper
- Finely chop onion. Slice feta and mozzarella and set aside.1 Brown onion, 100 g Feta, 175 g Mozzarella
- Slice bread rolls almost all the way through the middle, leaving a hinge on one side.4 Hotdog rolls
- Remove steak from the freezer and slice as finely as you can. This is what will give the meat the unique texture of a Philly cheese steak. Season well with salt and pepper (opt.)500 g Steak, Salt and pepper
- Place a large frying pan on medium, add oil and cook onion for 3-5 minutes, until caramelised, then remove from the pan and set aside on a plate.1 Brown onion, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Do the remaining steps 2 serves at a time, then repeat as required. Increase heat to high, then place 2 serves worth of onion and steak in a thin layer in the frying pan and cook, without touching, for 1 min, then sauté for 2 mins.500 g Steak
- Divide steak mixture into two long parts (to fit the rolls) and top with a slice of feta and 2 slices of mozzarella.
- Place a bread roll over each portion of meat and cheese, and cook for 1 minute more, or until the cheese starts to melt. Then flip roll, scooping cheese and meat into it. Repeat.
- Serve immediately with dressed side salad.
Philly WizWit
This is a disgrace to all Philly residents. You're using the rump? And feta/mozz cheese? Seriously? Don't get me started on the ciabatta roll. Absolute insult.
1) Always use Ribeye
2) Provolone is acceptable, but american or wiz is preferred.
3. Cia what roll? Always use Hoagie rolls (Italian rolls). Cmon!
4. Don't cut the steak like you're making fajitas. You want very thin, but large pieces. Like deli meat.
5. As soon as the onions begin caramelizing, throw the ribeye in the pan with the onions. You want the juices soaking with the meat during the frying process.
6. Use 2 spatulas (preferably metal) to "pull, and push" the meat apart, seperating it while also putting pressure ontop of the onions.
7. You're final step is fine. Glad we got something right.
Anna Bay
Hey Philly WizWit,
I hear you, but this recipe is written by an Australian who doesn't have access to American or Wiz cheese, or Hoagie rolls.
I'll take the advice about the steak slicing (perhaps you can only have large pieces if you're using Rib eye) and the steak in with the onions.
Push and pull is a good tip too.