What Is A Philly Cheese Steak
A Philly cheese steak sandwich is basically a sandwich made on a hoagie with smaller, thinner pieces of beefsteak and cheese. What cheese goes on a Philly cheese steak depends it can be provolone, American, or Cheez Whiz.
Two of the most famous places to actually buy a Philly cheesesteak sandwich are in Philadelphia , and they sit directly across from each other, Pats King of Steaks and Genos Steaks.
Originally a hot dog stall, Pats was founded in 1930 by two brothers, Pat and Harry Olivieri. They are the ones who actually invented the famous cheesesteak in 1933.
An ordinary steak sandwich eventually became the cheesesteak and led to the brothers opening a restaurant in place of the hot dog stall.
What Other Toppings Go On A Cheesesteak
A traditional cheesesteak is only meat, cheese, and, maybe, onions. But some are starting to loosen up about the correct toppings to put on a cheesesteak. As Ray Boyd wrote in an article from 2019:
As a city, its time for us to claim the cheesesteak as a whole, not just the handful of ingredients that we arbitrarily deem are right because theyre classic. Weve seen green peppers pop up on various cheesesteak remixes and purists always get offended.
Here are some toppings that some enjoy:
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Cheesesteak hoagie: chopped lettuce, tomato and fresh or fried onions with a sprinkle of oregano and, if desired, some olive oil and vinegar.
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Bruschetta cheesesteak: tomato, celery, and basil
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Hot peppers: jalapeno, long hots, cherry peppers, banana peppers
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What Kind Of Steak To Use For Cheesesteak
You want to use a nice cut of steak that has some marbled fat on it and is really tender. As the thin steak cooks, the fat melts a bit and makes each piece of steak very tender. Personally, I like to use rib eye for mine . Top round is also a classic cheesesteak option. Do not use tougher meat cuts like flank steak or brisket. They will be really chewy in the final sandwich.
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Tips For Making Philly Cheesesteaks At Home
There are a few basic things to remember when cooking cheesesteaks in your own kitchen. Marinating your steak is key since it adds flavor and tenderizes the beef. Choose a recipe that includes instructions for making a marinade.
Slice your beef as thinly as possible so it will crisp up when you fry it. Ask your butcher to do this for you.
If you forget, put the meat in the freezer for an hour before you attempt to slice it yourself. The firmness will make it easier to cut with a knife.
When its time to cook the meat, use a pan with a large surface area. Dont let the meat and veggie bits overlap. Theyll brown up nicely if you give them space.
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What Cut Of Beef Is Best For Cheesesteak
Traditionally, its a ribeye steak. However unless you live in an area where Philly cheese steaks are made regularly, its really difficult to find thinly sliced meat for these sandwiches. Some grocers will sell the meat frozen, and you toss it in a skillet and its done.
Ive bought ribeye and sliced it as thin as I humanly could without cutting off my fingers.
When it was all cooked, it was big thick chunks. Fail. Some say you can freeze it then slice it but I just dont think you can get it thin enough by hand.
The alternative is to use a really good quality deli roast beef. I bought a pound of shaved London broil at my local Kroger and really enjoyed the texture of that much better.
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What Goes Good With A Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich
What goes good with Philly Cheese Steak? Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches are often served up with french fries, onion rings, chips, or even a potato or pasta salad. Other topping ideas include banana peppers, pickles, oil and vinegar, hot sauce, steak sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, pepperoncinis, and sweet peppers.
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Other Ways To Serve Philly Cheesesteak
For my low carb readers, the filling for this sandwich is equally as good wrapped in a low carb wrap or some green leaf lettuce in place of the hoagie roll.
You can also use the filling and enjoy it on top of rice, pasta, or salad for a different take.
To make a steak and cheese sub/hoagie/hero, make these sandwiches as shown, but add lettuce, tomato, and mayo on top before serving.
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Best Cheese For Cheesesteak
I highly recommend trying white American cheese on your cheesesteak sandwich. It adds a creamy, melty, and salty quality to the cheesesteak that really completes the sandwich.
Other popular choices include smoked provolone slices or cheese whiz. I suggest using your favorite – it’s your sandwich after all!
Let us know in the comments below what cheese you enjoy on your sandwich
Choosing The Right Ingredients For The Philly Cheesesteak
Choosing the right ingredients for your Philly Cheesesteak makes all the difference.
- The best cheese for Philly cheesesteak: Provolone cheese works best for a Philly cheesesteak due to its neutral flavor and melt. A strong runner-up would be sliced white American cheese slices . In Philadelphia, youll even find some food trucks and restaurants swearing by Cheez Whiz.
- The best cut of beef for Philly cheesesteak: Thinly sliced ribeye is the go-to meat choice for a classic Philly cheesesteak. The marbling of ribeye is ideal because it creates a tender, easy-to-bite sandwich.
Try my recipe for Perfect Cast Iron Ribeye and use the leftovers to make this yummy sandwich for dinner the next night!
- Philly Cheesesteak Sauce Mayo is the perfect sauce for a Philly cheesesteak. If you are wanting more of a punch, add horseradish to the mix or a touch of Worcestershire sauce.
- Other Cheesesteak Toppings Some cheesesteak shops only add caramelized onions. Some also add bell peppers or mushrooms. Use all three or just one. The choice is yours!
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Can You Freeze Philly Cheesesteak
Yes, you certainly can! You may freeze both the rolls and the Philly cheesesteak meat so youll be all ready for Philly cheesesteak sandwiches!
To freeze Philly cheesesteak:
What Goes Good On A Philly Cheesesteak
Does anything else go d Philly Cheese Steak? Its not unusual for Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwiches to be topped with onion rings, chips, or potatoes or pasta salads. You can also eat banana peppers, pickles, oil, vinegar, tomato sauce, steak sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, cinions, red peppers, etc.
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What Kind Of Cheese To Goes On Philly Cheesesteaks
There are two options here: provolone or Cheez Whiz, a shelf stable cheese product sold in jars. If Im being honest, American cheese is also pretty delicious, but lets keep it somewhat classic with the cheese.
Personally, I like to use BOTH. I melt some provolone over the steak as it cooks and then drizzle on some Cheez Whiz right before serving. I like the texture of the Cheez Whiz and the flavor that the provolone gives the sandwich. Provolone has a sharper bite to it while the Cheez Whiz is just a completely creamy, almost nacho cheese, situation.
You can make it however you like. Use both, skip the Cheez Whiz if you cant find it or use your own favorite cheese.
Authentic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Cant make it to Philadelphia for any reason? Heres how to create a true Philly cheesesteak at home: juicy, cheesy, and with all of the appropriate toppings, of course. And if you ever find yourself in the City of Brotherly Love, heres how to order a burger like a native. Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Dinner and lunch are on the menu. American and Italian cuisines are available. Keywords: beef, cheesesteak, supper, French sandwich, hoagie, Philadelphia, Philly, Philly cheesesteak, steak, Philly cheesesteak, steakhouse Servings:2cheesesteaks
- Ribeye steak that has been cut incredibly thin
- 5-6 pieces of white American cheese
- Some Cheez Whiz . 1/2 a medium-sized yellow onion, chopped 2 soft deli buns, cut almost all the way through
- 2 soft deli rolls, sliced almost all the way through 2 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil, such as canola
- Salt and pepper to taste
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Techniques For Thinly Slicing Beef:
A great cheesesteak is made possible by using extremely thinly sliced meat. Wrap your steak in plastic wrap and freeze it for 30-40 minutes to make slicing it easier .
Removing any superfluous fat and silver skin before thinly slicing across the grain with a sharp knife is the next step.
In order to save time, request that your meat be finely sliced by the butcher. If you plan ahead of time, they might put the steak in the freezer while you go shopping to purchase those paper-thin slices of steak.
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How To Assemble The French Dip:
1. Saute Mushrooms until golden and soft. Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper to taste. Remove mushrooms from pan and set aside. In the same skillet , add 1 1/2 cups beef broth, season broth to taste then remove from heat this broth is your au jus dipping sauce.
2. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add a small pat of butter and when butter is done sizzling, Saute the cut side of the rolls just until golden. Divide the pastrami meat evenly among the four sandwiches. Top with cheese and mushrooms.
3. Bake at 450F for 4-5 minutes or until cheese melts and meat is hot.
4. Serve each sandwich with an individual ramekin of AuJus Dip with every bite.
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Philly Beef Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Cant make it all the way to Philly for your favorite sandwich? We have you covered. Tender beef steak with sautéed peppers and onions make this sandwich a forever classic.
Cant make it all the way to Philly for your favorite sandwich? We have you covered. Tender beef steak with sautéed peppers and onions make this sandwich a forever classic.
Test Kitchen Tips
Use the pan size specified in the recipe. If the pan is too small, the beef will be crowded and browning will be inhibited. If the pan is too large, overcooking may result.
- 1 beef Top Sirloin Steak Boneless, 3/4 inch thick
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 whole-grain or whole wheat hoagie rolls, split, toasted
- 6 thin slices reduced-fat provolone cheese
Cooking:
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How To Make Easy Philly Cheesesteaks Step By Step
- Gather your ingredients
- Sautee peppers, onions and mushrooms in butter
- Remove vegetables, and heat the roast beef just to warm it
- Add vegetables with beef, divide and top with cheese
- Transfer the piles in to split sub rolls, wrap in foil and bake
- Mix mayo, steak sauce and hot sauce
- Use as a dip or spread
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How To Cook Steak For Cheese Steak
As we mentioned, achieving tender bites of meat has a lot do with the cut you choose from your butcher. Cutting the steak as thin as possible helps as well. Our trick for super-thinly sliced steak? Freeze the meat for an hour or two before slicing. Freezing the meat will make it much easier to slice. A super-sharp knife helps, too.Lastly, a cast iron skillet is key. Cooking steak in a cast iron skillet allows you to cook the meat at a very high heat, yielding tender bites of steak with deliciously crispy edges. If you dont have a cast iron skillet, now is a great time to purchase one.
Can I Use Bottom Round Steak For Philly Cheesesteak
Traditionally, Philly cheesesteaks are made with rib eye steaks or rib roasts, but the cost of making these sandwiches can quickly add up using this premium beef cut. Though not nearly as tender or juicy as a rib roast, a bottom round roast makes a suitable budget alternative with a strong beefy flavor.
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How Do You Make An Authentic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
An authentic Philly cheesesteak recipe combines the right ingredients and the right technique. Heres what to do:
What Is The Best Meat For Philly Cheesesteaks
If you really want to have an authentic philly cheesesteak, theres really only one choice: boneless ribeye steak. Thinly sliced and evenly marbled, the ribeyes rich fat content melts to tenderize and flavor the meat, giving it that characteristic punch.
A ribeye comes from the rib primal and is famous for its texture and flavor, making it more expensive than many other cuts.
Top round is arguably a close second, but ribeye is more popular. If ribeye or top round arent options, sirloin, skirt, and flank steak are all good alternatives. For leaner cuts like skirt and flank, you may have to add some additional tallow or fat in to mimic the ribeyes marbling, but when sliced and prepared correctly they can also be delicious.
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What Type Of Beef For Cheesesteak
Ribeye! It may be an expensive choice, but itll give you the BEST flavor and texture. With fat marbled throughout, itll stay nice and juicy any way you cut it.
If you cant do ribeye, look for a cut of beef that is well-marbled and be sure to slice thinly against the grain. Some choices are: Flank Steak, Beef Chuck, Sirloin, etc.
Leftover Prime Rib also makes for a delicious Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich!
Whats In A Real Philly Cheesesteak
A Philly cheesesteak consists of:
- hinly-sliced chopped ribeye steak
- Topped with melted American cheese, provolone, or Cheez Whiz
- Served on a hoagie roll with toppings like fried onions or peppers
American, provolone, or Whiz are the only acceptable cheese options, and cheesesteaks should never, ever come with lettuce or tomato or anything like that.
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What Type Of Cheese For Cheesesteak
There is much debate on which type of cheese to use for a good Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich. While some are insistent on a classic American cheese sauce, I prefer something more mild, like Provolone.
Try to avoid using a smoked provolone, which can be over-powering. You can also use gruyere cheese.
Really, the choice is up to you. Make it how you like it! Its a sandwich for crying out loud!
How To Make Philly Cheesesteaks With Peppers And Onions
The process is easy! Youll need a large, deep sauté pan to start. If you dont have any large sauté pans, a Dutch oven will do the trick.
I love to add bell peppers and onions to add a burst of color and a ton of flavor to these tasty cheesesteaks.
Heat vegetable oil over MEDIUM-LOW heat and sauté thinly sliced onion and bell pepper. You want to avoid browning the peppers and onions so if they do begin to brown, reduce the heat under the pan a bit. When they are nice and tender, transfer them to a large dish and set aside.
Add additional oil to the pan and then add half of the chopped sirloin to the hot pan. Season with a little Lawrys Seasoned Salt, or your favorite all-purpose seasoning, and a little garlic pepper. Cook and stir until browned and then transfer this first batch of browned beef to the dish with the peppers and onions.
Repeat the process with the remaining beef and seasoning. Transfer the second batch of browned beef to the dish and drain any juices from the pan.
Return the pan to the heat and transfer the cooked veggies and beef to the pan. Place sliced provolone over the top and cover the pan to allow the cheese to melt
Use tongs to mix the melted cheese throughout the beef and veggie mixture and its time to load up those hoagie rolls!
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What Kind Of Cheese Goes On Philly Cheesesteak
It depends. There are different approaches when it comes to the cheese. If youre using sliced cheese, like American or provolone, put the on the bread before the steak, so they will be softened by the heat of the meat, or put them on the meat while its on the grill before you put the whole mess on the roll.
Cheez Whiz, if that is your thing, is melted and drizzled over the steak in the sandwich.
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