
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Thinly sliced beef, soft sweet onions and melted cheese piled into a toasted roll. A quick skillet dinner that tastes like a street-food stand at home.
Published 29 Sep 2026
Ingredients
Equipment: Large heavy skillet or flat griddle, sharp knife, baking tray, two spatulas
Method
Put the beef in the freezer for 20 minutes so it firms up. Meanwhile slice the onions, capsicum and mushrooms.
Using a sharp knife, slice the chilled beef against the grain as thinly as you can, almost paper thin. Toss with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce.
Heat 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until soft and golden, about 10 minutes.
Add the capsicum and mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms have released their water and browned lightly, about 5 minutes. Move everything to a bowl.
Turn the heat to high and add the remaining oil. Cook the beef in two batches in a single layer, stirring and chopping with two spatulas, until just browned and no pink remains, 2 to 3 minutes per batch.
Return the vegetables to the pan and mix with the beef. Shape the mixture into four long piles and lay 2 slices of cheese over each. Cover for 1 minute until the cheese melts completely.
Butter the cut sides of the rolls and toast them in a dry pan or under a grill for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly golden.
Slide a spatula under each pile and tuck it into a roll, cheese side down into the bread. Serve at once while hot.
Cooking tips
- Partly freezing the beef is the secret to thin slices; a sharp knife matters more than anything else.
- Do not crowd the pan when cooking the beef, or it will steam and turn grey instead of browning.
- Cook the beef only until it loses its pink colour; further cooking makes thin slices dry and chewy.
- Season the onions early so they soften and sweeten without burning.
Substitutions
- Beef: use boneless chicken thigh, sliced thinly, cooked until 74°C inside.
- Cheese: processed cheddar slices or a mix of mozzarella and cheddar work well.
- Rolls: use hot dog buns or small baguettes.
- Green capsicum: leave it out for a more traditional onion-only filling.
Serve with
"Serve with oven fries or potato wedges, pickled jalapeños or dill pickles, and a cold drink. Ketchup or hot sauce on the side is optional."
Storage
"Store the cooked filling separately from the rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days."
Reheating
"Reheat the filling in a skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until steaming hot, then add fresh cheese and toasted rolls."
Nutrition per serving, estimated
Estimated from the ingredient list. Values vary with brands and portion size.
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