Only 7 ingredients stand between you and these easy Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches! With over 10,000 views every month, this popular steak sandwich rocks! Ready in 30 minutes or less, my family goes nuts every time they see shaved steak on the menu!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ericka raved: “This recipe is so good and so yummy! A family favorite for sure! With our busy teenagers, I end up making this about once every 3-4 weeks and now have their friends requesting it! Thanks for sharing it and making our lives easier!”
Posted in 2020, with new photos in 2023 and updates in 2026 with better tips and FAQs. The recipe hasn’t changed; it’s still the same one we’ve been making for years.
Saved 35,000 Times (And My First Real Philly Cheesesteak)
Saved over 35,000 times and rated 4.91 stars by over 150 readers who’ve made it, this is not only our family’s favorite recipe, but clearly yours too. The combination of a tender beef mixture, caramelized onions, and melted cheese is unstoppable.
My first real Philly cheesesteak happened on an event trip years ago; a local took us to one of the classic spots, and honestly, I couldn’t tell you which one- those trips were always a blur. What I do remember is that crispy roll and the cheesy, saucy meat, and I’m pretty sure I broke a personal speed record eating it. When I tried making my own at home, I couldn’t get the meat thin enough with a knife until I found Trader Joe’s shaved beef, and that’s the day this recipe finally tasted like what I remembered.
Fun fact: the cheesesteak was invented in 1930 by a guy named Pat Olivieri, who supposedly slapped some chopped steak on his hot dog cart grill just to see what would happen. A cabbie caught the smell, asked for one, and that’s how Pat’s King of Steaks was born. Cheese didn’t show up until years later, and once it did, a shop called Geno’s opened directly across the street and the two have been arguing about who does it better ever since.
Have you ever cooked with shaved steak? It’s my new favorite! Check out the best Shaved Steak recipes here! And try my Philly Cheesesteak Sliders and Blackstone Philly Cheesesteaks.
I made these tonight for my family of 5. I’ve never made cheesesteaks at home before. They were an absolute HIT! I was a bit worried about the amount of Worcestershire sauce, but once it mixed with the meat, veggies and the juices, it was quite delicious! This will definitely become a regular in our rotation of meals!!
KMazz
The Best Shaved Steak Sandwich (Not Exactly Philly)
According to Philadelphians, you simply cannot make an authentic Philadelphia Cheese Steak sandwich without an authentic Philadelphia roll. The rolls must be long and thin, not fluffy or soft, but not too hard. They also say anything more than an hour from South Philly is not an authentic Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. Source
So, no, this recipe is not authentic, which is why I’m calling it simply the BEST shaved steak sandwich, or the “stop worrying about what it’s called and just make it a steak sandwich”!
I’ve been making this homemade Philly cheesesteak recipe on repeat for years. The original recipe is from my dear, creative friend, Norine from Norine’s Nest. She is a fabulous cook, and she’s sooo funny!
This shaved beef sandwich is a huge hit in our house. When my family spies shaved beef thawing, they KNOW that goodness is happening for dinner!
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich Ingredients
- Beef | Shaved beef, shaved steak or thinly sliced cube, round steak, even flank steak or skirt steak will work. Most grocery stores now carry this cut of beef; try to get the shaved ribeye- it’s the best!
- Butter | Don’t knock it, it adds a ton of flavor!
- Caramelized onions | Wit or Wit Out? You need these drool-worthy onions in your best cheesesteak recipe
- Seasoning salt | Adds complex flavor, easily!
- Worcestershire sauce (Lea & Perrins is gluten-free)
- Hot sauce | Optional; serve with a side of hot sauce!
- Provolone Cheese | Use your family favorite, Provolone (our favorite), White American cheese, mozzarella cheese, Cheddar or traditional Cheez Whiz.
- Toasted sub rolls | You want to toast your rolls!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Best Cheese for Philly Cheesesteak
Cheez Whiz is the traditional Philly choice, but I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a fan. Provolone is what I use every time, it melts just as gooey and has more flavor to back up that beef. White American and Pepper Jack both work too, if you want something different.
Best Meat for Philly Cheesesteak
Shaved ribeye steak; this is a must, you can ask your butcher for this cut, but it’s readily available now at stores like Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Target. Sirloin works in a pinch.
Norine uses cube steak, the first time I made this, I wasn’t able to find cube steak; so I used round steak and sliced it as thin as possible. However, I’ve since discovered shaved beef from Trader Joe’s! It’s paper-thin, tender, and delicious.
Best Seasoning for Philly Cheesesteak
The secret to a killer Philly Cheesesteak is all about the seasoning!
- Butter: Don’t knock cooking this tender beef in butter and Olive oil!
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a rich flavor and great umami (Japanese for “pleasant savory taste”).
- Seasoning salt: I like organic seasoning salt personally, but Lawry’s may be used. Full of paprika, garlic and onion powder, adds a punch of flavor.
Trust me, once you try this combo, you’ll see why it’s a game-changer. Give it a go and watch your family rave about dinner!
Expert Tip: Using cube or round steak? Wrap it in plastic and place in the freezer for 20–30 minutes. This firms it up, making it easier to slice thin—almost like “chipping” the meat. Using a sharp knife, slice against the grain.
How to Make a Philly Cheesesteak
Step 1 | Caramelize the onions
Slice the onion in half, then slice into thin half rings. Heat a large skillet over medium heat (this is my favorite pan!), add in the butter and melt until sizzling and bubbly.
Toss in the onions and saute until soft and caramel in color, about 7-10 minutes.
Recommended Tools
- This is my favorite everyday pan, sturdy, large enough to make a meal, and cleans up easily!
Step 2 | How to cook Shaved Steak
Meanwhile, toss the shaved steak with seasoning salt. Once the onions are done sautéing, remove them to a plate and increase the heat to medium-high, adding another pat or two of butter.
Add the shaved beef in a single layer to the hot pan, doing so in batches as needed. Toss with tongs, turning after 1-2 minutes; the meat will cook and brown quickly.
Philly Cheesesteak Recipe Tips
- Shaved steak is so thin that it cooks lickety-split! Be careful not to overcook it; in fact, I usually remove it from heat once I see a little pink left.
- Do it in batches. If the pan is too crowded, the shaved steak will steam rather than sear.
Step 3 | Add onions to pan and cheese
Once the meat is browned, return the cooked onions to the pan, stir in Worcestershire sauce, and, if desired, hot sauce.
Layer slices of provolone cheese over the meat, cover with the lid to melt.
Step 4 | Grill the Hoagie rolls & serve
Spread soft butter (try garlic butter or mayo too) on the cut hoagie rolls (or French rolls or your favorite rolls) and grill over medium heat until golden. If desired (and by desire, I mean, you should do this part, come on, this is not diet food!)
Spoon portions onto toasted hoagie rolls. I’ve also used whole wheat to make myself think it was a bit healthier. Can’t blame a girl for trying!
Pro Tip: Toasting a big batch? Split the rolls, brush the inside with melted butter, then arrange them on a baking sheet and toast in a 375°F oven for 5-8 minutes, until golden, instead of doing them one at a time in a skillet. Or I sometimes do this all on a griddle.
Make Philly Cheesesteaks in advance
YES! This is a great meal to serve for game day, tailgating, or a party.
Make ahead as directed above; place in a slow cooker and keep on the warm setting, or cover and keep in an oven set to 150-200° F (95° C). Serve with toasted sub or hoagie or slider rolls on the side.
Philly Cheesesteak Recipe Variations
- Sautéed peppers: Add sliced red, yellow, orange, or green bell peppers when caramelizing onions, sautéing until soft and slightly browned.
- Or Cherry Peppers, perhaps? Traditionalists skip bell peppers entirely and go with sweet or hot cherry peppers instead; a reader actually set me straight on this one! Bell peppers still make a great sandwich; they’re just not what you’ll find on an authentic Philly cheesesteak.
- Sauté sliced mushrooms until warm and soft.
- Norine’s fave is to serve with Lighthouse Cotija Cilantro dressing.
- Serve with a drizzle of Ranch dressing
- Smear garlic aioli, garlic butter, or good old mayonnaise on the buns.
- Add extra cheese; if you love it super cheesy, add more cheese!
- Prefer a pourable cheese instead of slices? Melt equal parts American and provolone with a splash of milk until smooth, then spoon it over the meat instead of laying on slices.
What to Serve with Philly Cheesesteak
- French fries are a great choice; try my Air Fryer Steak Fries (so yummy!!)
- Add some veggies and make this steakhouse wedge salad or serve with this crudite dip and veggies.
How to Store Philly Cheesesteak
Place any leftover Philly cheesesteak in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Leftovers also be frozen for up to 3 months. Got extra filling? Reheat it and pile it onto my No Rise Pizza Dough for a Philly cheesesteak pizza, ten minutes of dough and dinner solves itself twice.
How to reheat shaved steak sandwiches
Gently reheat the components in a skillet over medium heat. It will reheat quickly; do not overcook the beef to maintain its tenderness. Add a little extra cheese if desired and re-grill a roll.
Philly Cheesesteak Recipe FAQs
A long, crusty Italian or French hoagie roll, sturdy enough to hold the meat and juices without turning to mush halfway through.
Cheez Whiz is the traditional Philly choice, but I don’t like it. Provolone is my pick, sharp enough to hold its own against the meat without taking over. Pepper jack and American cheese both work well too. Use whichever one your family loves.
The meat portion of this recipe is naturally gluten-free; just double-check your Worcestershire sauce (Lea & Perrins is gluten-free) to be safe. Swap in quality gluten-free hoagie rolls, and the rest is history.
The beef, onions, and cheese are all naturally low-carb; the only real carb count comes from the roll. Look for low-carb hoagie rolls at specialty grocers or online (I understand that brands like UnbelievaHoagies make one), or skip the bread entirely and serve it over lettuce or in a lettuce wrap for a fully low-carb version.
In Philly, ordering your cheesesteak “wit” means with onions, “witout” means without. So if you hear someone order “one wiz wit,” they’re asking for Cheez Whiz and onions. Now you’re in on the lingo too.
Some people like to add mushrooms, hot peppers, or pickles for extra flavor. Experiment with different toppings to suit your taste. Be sure to try my New England Steak Bombs too!
A Philly Cheesesteak is traditionally made with thinly sliced ribeye on a crusty Italian roll, topped with Cheez Whiz (yes, really!) and fried onions, aka “wiz wit” in Philly speak.
A Cheesesteak is any variation that tweaks the cheese, adds toppings, or changes up the seasonings. Still tasty, just not Philly-official.
A hoagie typically uses a firmer roll that isn’t sliced all the way through, while a sub is usually on a soft roll, cut all the way through. Then there are grinders, poor boys, and heroes! Growing up on the West Coast, these names were totally new to me until I visited the East and South. What I’ve learned? No matter what you call them, they’re all tasty, so let’s not let names get in the way of a great sandwich!
Ribeye, shaved paper thin, is the real deal, that thinness is what lets it cook in under two minutes and stay tender. Most grocery stores now carry a pre-shaved cut, or your butcher can slice it for you. No ribeye on hand? Top round or sirloin work fine as a leaner stand-in.
Best sides to serve with Philly cheesesteak sandwiches
Simple steak fries are amazing, but if you want to go healthier, serve with a hearty Italian chopped salad, don’t forget the zesty homemade Italian dressing or maybe just a crudite or try this easy, flavorful pimento cheese chicken salad chick.
More beef and shaved steak recipes
- Flank Steak Marinade
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders Recipe
- Cheesesteak Casserole (Low-Carb)
- Steak Bomb Sandwich
- Healthy Mongolian Beef Recipe
- 39 Best Shaved Steak Recipes
- Okay, it isn’t steak, but it’s a must-try: Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks (drool!)
I hope you loved this shaved steak sandwich recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
More from The Fresh Cooky
Video
Ingredients
Sauteed Onions
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 large yellow onion cut into thin slices
Cheesesteak Sandwiches
- 1-2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 – 2 pounds shaved beef steak depending on how beef you want them see notes for other options
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce Lea & Perrin's is gluten-free
- 1 teaspoon Seasoning Salt such as Lawry's to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons Hot Sauce optional
- 6-8 slices provolone try White cheddar, American, pepper Jack cheese, or go all Philly and use Cheese Whiz; wiz wit
- 6 rolls French rolls Use Hoagie rolls, Italian or French rolls
- 2 tablespoons butter
Optional Add-ins
- 1 medium bell peppers optional, any color
- 1 package mushrooms optional, sliced
Instructions
- Heat large pan to medium heat, melt butter and toss in sliced onions, stirring around until soft and caramel colored, about 6-10 minutes. Remove from pan, set aside.4 tablespoons butter, 1 large yellow onion, 1 medium bell peppers, 1 package mushrooms
- If steak is not already sliced, slice as thinly as possible (see notes) and season with seasoning salt, not too much, just a light all over sprinkle.1 – 2 pounds shaved beef steak, 1 teaspoon Seasoning Salt
- Using the same skillet, increase the heat to medium-high, add butter and oil, then add steak in as much of one layer as possible, if too crowded, do in a couple of batches. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then flip and cook the other side, for 1-2 minutes, won't take long, remove from heat.1-2 tablespoons butter, 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Once beef is browned (I slightly undercook, as it will keep cooking), pour in Worcestershire sauce and if desired, a few shakes of hot sauce we like Cholula. Stir around for a minute, then return onions to pan and stir into beef, including all of those delicious juices.½ cup Worcestershire sauce, 1-2 tablespoons Hot Sauce
- Place desired cheese slices on top of the beef, cover for a minute until super melty, gooey, and irresistible, adding extra cheese if you like it really cheesy!6-8 slices provolone
- Meanwhile, heat a griddle or another large skillet to medium-high heat, spread a thin layer of butter on the cut side of the sub rolls, place butter side down on griddle and toast until brown and delish.2 tablespoons butter, 6 rolls French rolls
- Serve cheesesteak on top of rolls and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Rosemary Racine
So easy and great directions
So glad you loved my recipe, Rosemary!
Dick Lemieux
The recipe was great. I used rib eye shaved steak. I cut down on the portions, because it was for two–not six. I will use it again.
So glad you loved it!
Mandy
My husband LOVED this recipe!! He said it’s the best thing I’ve cooked in a long time (I don’t cook often, lol).
Oh that makes me happy too!!
Deb
This recipe is so easy and delicious!!! We have made it for dinner every week for 3 weeks straight and probably will have it again this week. It may be heavy on the calories, but it is worth it!!! YUM
I totally agree Deb!! Thank you for your kind comment!
Diana Z.
Absolutely easy a n d delicious 😋! My family ate it all. I made 2 batches but I used queso cheese instead and held the worstechire sauce with toasted brioche buns. Im not great in the kitchen but this was easy and satisfying! Thank you
Love your twists, Diana!! So glad everyone loved them!
Ree
My guys loved them! Good recipe! Thanks!
Love hearing that, Ree!! Thank you!
Elysa
Absolutely delicious! I added bell peppers to the onions which turned out perfectly. I didn’t have seasoning salt so I subbed in a pinch some adobo seasoning instead since the ingredients were similar enough. I didn’t have provolone so I used gorgonzola, which added a sharp, musky flavor to the steak that was out of this world! 10/10 would make again – it’s already on theenu for next week! Thank you.
Love your twists on it, Elysa!! Thanks for your sweet comment!
Carol Thomas Corne
This is a wonderful recipe! Family loved it.
So happy you loved it!!
Ed Lattimer
great sandwich
Thanks Ed!! So had you liked it!
Jessica
My family loved this recipe! It’s now on rotation at our house. I used the leftovers and made steak and cheese quesadillas which was another big hit.
That sounds amazing! I love repurposing leftover into something brand new! Thanks Jessica!
mary Mele
we use our leftovers (just two of us) from the 1lb pkg at Trader Joes–(they are so much better than what I found at our local Smiths/Kroger)…we use them for breakfast…fried egg, lots and lots of melty cheese…and I cut off the ‘ends’ from the sandwiches the night before and give them a quick little ‘toast’ on the pan w/ a brush of butter….basically an open-faced Philly Cheese Steak a la egg! ;-). (remember that authentic Philly is not using bell peppers (ever!)…get the Cherry Peppers in a jar in the condiment section. 😉
I love your twist and creativity, Mary!! Thank you! 😊
Etzel Stopher
I wouldn’t change a thing! Sandwich was awesome!
So glad you loved it, Etzel!! Thanks!!! 😊
Stephanie Courtright kuznicki
Got 5 stars from the hubby and teen age son. Go lite on the season salt!! Adding it to our dinner rotation!
Love your tip Stephanie! So glad it’s on your dinner rotation.
Lisa
I made this tonight and I put it on Subway’s multi grain bread. Very good! Only thing I might do different is add some sort of shredded cheese and mix it in really good and put provolone slices on top still. (We really like our cheese here.) Great recipe. Will make again.
I’m all about the cheese too, Lisa! That would be a great twist! So glad you loved it!!
Kari
We love this recipe. I honestly found that celebrate cheese tastes and works awesome!
I’m not familiar with that cheese, but so glad it works!!! Thanks for your kind words!
mary Mele
always yummy. saw this highlighted and needed to add one note. you need to add this item below to your affiliate list w/ Amazon…https://www.amazon.com/Mezzetta-Sweet-Cherry-Peppers-16/dp/B00MN3GAMY/ref=sr_1_29?adgrpid=1339205729993960&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.E3DOq-Tt88HFxnTRLtsQQxr1JEWjBKZRU3J-0YMDKziHZOxPe6C6dd5_nzxJ5tlAFp9SMBgyzy1wI2lGJ3xo7Mme1W6Ex0h_FyxRejRwlWB-1Q28XYxp-veE126M3JZXzIacRwzNlZNOmY25b6x9ErtOFDvGHiYAzUW98iwtQdkA-LU39oSvixXBX8UnXZ5xMv-_8k5GlhWvzSJVwUinl-tkCucuzQxzI8a53_0X_c264JTURKSoiUcAvcu6dLmDqiyAjODiqUE1ZMy2LQuTd_SlttGBjHnTleok7M9D9jm59fWApBezTvV-EfNU8fcFpl4ai5OY4OGbB75c5kKfdbk7fgOaLk1xVjLnGFxDgJ3roeuJqZeIqV-Ve9k4AjlfVexkN2CEkKtLWhmahvLkzVmNEDLTxVkC_YfoTfnKWpuNH8xqSMrxFR7gVuox1x2Q.dt-0EtuBNILQysuEHXdfzeGDy44mqwUyBCPigiGQceU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83700637115506&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=97230&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83700710117147%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=4846_13210736&keywords=sweet+cherry+peppers&msclkid=f7b52298e36614bc746a45c7d0a89d8d&qid=1734292450&sr=8-29
Sweet Cherry Peppers is what authentic Philly Cheesesteaks use. Bell Peppers make it a regular cheese steak sandwich. no need to take out the seeds–they add extra flavor! this item is a must for the real-deal! 😉
Great idea Mary!! Thank you!!!
Quinn
Delicious. I added some minced garlic and sliced mushrooms with the onions and also some sliced bell peppers. Great on homemade soft hoagie rolls.
Thank you so much Quinn!! I love your twist!
Liza
Not only are these cheesesteak sandwiches absolutely fantastic, I made them in about 30 minutes. Another wonderful easy dinner recipe from The Fresh Cooky!
Thank you so much,Liza!
Cindy K
This is a great quick recipe that my husband loves! I get the shaved rib-eye from Trader Joes and keep it in the freezer. I often serve a broccoli salad and chips on the side.
Thanks so much Cindy! Trader Joe’s is my favorite shaved steak!! Love that you serve with broccoli salad and chips!
Rhoda
Sounds good, trying this tonight. I noticed in the cooking instructions, you didn’t mention the bell peppers … ?
Add when cooking the onions. Thanks for pointing that out Rhoda! I’ll have to amend the instructions!!
Fran
Excellent! Didn’t change a thing.
Wonderful to hear, Fran! So glad you loved them.
Lynn B Spencer
Came looking for this recipe for this year’s super bowl party after we enjoyed these sandwiches so much last year. So glad I found it!
I’m so glad you found it too!! May your team win!!