Fun fact: the Philly cheesesteak was invented in the 1930s by Pat Olivieri, a South Philadelphia hot dog vendor who threw some beef on his grill for lunch. A cab driver smelled it, asked for one, and word spread. Cheese came later — and in Philly, ordering “wiz wit” means Cheez Whiz with onions.
Why this recipe works
THIN, cold-sliced steak. Partially freezing the ribeye lets you slice it paper-thin so it cooks in seconds and stays tender.
HIGH heat, quick sear. Cook the beef fast and hot; overcooking makes it chewy.
MELT cheese on the meat. Lay cheese over the hot beef in the pan so it melts into every strand before it hits the roll.
Ingredients
Serves 4.
Filling:
1.5 lbs (680 g) ribeye or sirloin, very thinly sliced
2 tbsp oil, divided
1 large onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
Salt and pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
8 slices provolone (or Cheez Whiz)
To serve:
4 hoagie or sub rolls, toasted
Butter, for the rolls
Instructions
Step 1: Slice the steak
Freeze the steak 20-30 minutes, then slice as thinly as you can against the grain.
Heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high. Cook onion, pepper and mushrooms with a pinch of salt 6-7 minutes until soft and lightly caramelized. Remove.
Step 3: Sear the steak
Add remaining oil. Spread the steak in the hot pan, season with salt, pepper and Worcestershire, and cook 2-3 minutes, chopping with a spatula, until just cooked.
Step 4: Combine and melt
Return the veg, mix together, then divide into 4 piles in the pan. Lay 2 slices provolone over each pile and let melt, 1 minute.
Step 5: Toast the rolls
Butter the cut rolls and toast until golden.
Step 6: Build
Scoop each cheesy steak pile straight into a roll. Serve hot.
Nutrition information
Calories: 620 kcal per sandwich
Protein: 42 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fat: 33 g
Saturated Fat: 14 g
Fiber: 2 g
Pro tips for the best philly cheesesteak sandwiches
Best cheese. Provolone is classic and mild; white American melts ultra-creamy; Cheez Whiz is the Philly tradition.
Easy slicing. Ask the butcher to shave the ribeye, or use bagged shaved steak from the freezer aisle.
Don’t overload the roll. Toast it well so it holds up to the juicy filling.
Low-carb. Serve the steak and peppers in a bowl or lettuce wrap, no roll.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best meat for cheesesteaks?
Ribeye is the gold standard for flavor and tenderness; top sirloin is a leaner, cheaper option. Slice it very thin.
What cheese is authentic?
In Philly it’s provolone, white American, or Cheez Whiz. Use whichever you love — they all melt well.
Can I make it ahead?
The filling reheats well, but cheesesteaks are best assembled fresh so the roll stays crisp.
Do peppers belong on a cheesesteak?
Purists debate it. Onions are standard; peppers and mushrooms are popular add-ons. Make it your way.
How do I slice steak thin at home?
Freeze it 20-30 minutes until firm, then use a sharp knife to cut thin slices against the grain.
