You don’t have to go to South Street Philadelphia for a taste of this iconic sandwich!
Born and raised about 90 minutes outside of Philadelphia, I have a very strong affection for the Philly Cheesesteak. Cheese Whiz or provolone, peppers or no peppers, each Pennsylvania native such as myself has a preference—but you should decide for yourself. For me, no sandwich is complete without a soft white roll and a large helping of sautéed onions and peppers. When you’re in the city, you will find options all across town ranging from the traditional establishments to new takes on this regional classic. Although Pennsylvanians may be divided on who does it best, we are united on our pledge to always call this delicacy our own.
The cheesesteak is tied to a rivalry between two family-owned restaurants—Pat’s and Geno’s, each taking ownership of the best sandwich. They are situated across the street from one another to this day on the corners of 9th and Passyunk streets and have become a must-stop for any foodie on location. Although locals will not agree on who did it first, they certainly have thoughts on who does it best, and by stopping any Philly resident for a recommendation, you’ll likely hear a different answer. Pride in the meal and pride in their town are two things Philadelphia is known for, and now you can try this taste of PA right in your slow cooker!
There’s a good reason that the cheesesteak is a hit—soft pillowy bread, sweet onions, and hearty beef paired with melty cheese make this an irresistible sandwich. The secret to a great cheesesteak involves selecting quality ingredients and prepping for success with sliced onion and bell pepper. Typically, the beef will be cooked on a hot griddle to order, but the convenience of this slow cooker version will help your dinner plans come together in no time. It is perfect for a mid-week meal or game day treat, and it’s even better that you can set your dish and come home to easy assembly.
Picking The Perfect Beef
When selecting a cut of beef to use for your Philadelphia Cheesesteaks, you’ll want to look for a selection with good marbling (or white fatty ribbons) within the beef. This will not only add to the flavor but render nicely into the slow-cooked dish. Likewise, when slicing the beef, you will want to ensure even cuts and very thin strips, which will add to the tenderness of your final sandwich. We recommend a top cut of beef sirloin to balance the richness of the dish for these reasons.
To ensure a quality cut of meat, check the coloring as well. The perfect beef will have a bright red color with no grey or dark red segments, which may indicate spoilage or tougher cuts. The package itself should be free from air pockets, which can, again, indicate it has lost its freshness. Additionally, when poked, the steak should hold its shape and bounce back to the touch. By following these indicators, you can ensure a better end result for your sandwich.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
You can prep and store the individual ingredients in the refrigerator before cooking. I suggest using the ingredients within 1-2 days for quality purposes. To maintain the freshness of the roll, avoid pre-toasting your sandwiches. Once cooked, you can store leftovers as well for up to 5 days to make assembly easy in the future. Saving some of the beef broth will help your meat maintain its flavor and juiciness. When you’re ready to eat, you can heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and assemble your cheesesteak as usual; you can then cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bun is golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
Many cheesesteak shops will tell you chips, fries, or onion rings go well with this mighty meal. Try our recipe for classic French Fries, or make it healthy with some Asparagus Fries. Looking for a full Philadelphia experience? Soft pretzels are another Pennsylvania classic and are best served with spiced mustard or cheese sauce. Canning and pickling also heralds from the region, and you can enjoy your own Bread and Butter Pickles to accompany this or any sandwich with a tangy twist. Yum!
Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteaks
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds beef top sirloin cut into thin strips
- 1 large onion sliced
- 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 8 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, combine beef strips, sliced onion, green and red bell peppers.
- In a small bowl, whisk together beef broth, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Pour this mixture over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until the beef is tender.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Split the hoagie rolls and place two slices of provolone cheese in each. Toast in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Using tongs, place the beef and pepper mixture onto the cheesy hoagie rolls. Serve hot.
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