The Best Philly Cheesesteak

One of the things that I’ve been surprised about getting from some of you is requests for sandwich recipes. I think that a sandwich isn’t that complicated and anyone can do it, basically, with out instruction. When it comes to a Philly Cheesesteak, however, I understand that everyone likes it the way they like it but don’t necessarily know how to replicate or duplicate their favorite sandwich from their local favorite sub shops. But, what I’m about to show you is a bit unconventional and unheard of. I’m going to make a Spicy Philly Cheesesteak that has the qualities of two different sandwich styles that you either love or love one more than the other.

Thinly sliced Premium Roast Beef from my local Deli.

What kind of Beef to use

First thing is simple and everyone can get from their local deli with out paying a grip for it and it’s just Premium Roast Beef. It’s roughly around $6 dollars per lbs. and I’ve purchased it, on sale, for $3.98 before. Most Cheesesteaks are made with Ribeye steak so, you can’t go wrong with this lunch meat, thinly sliced. The other major player and component to great sub is the roll. I buy Walmart’s 8″ sub rolls because they’re cheap, soft and tasty. Contrary to popular belief, they have an excellent bakery so don’t be afraid to pick up a six pack bag of sub rolls from Walmart.

If you’re ordering your Cheesesteak sandwich “With”, that means with sauteed onions, I recommend adding some diced Jalapeno peppers as well. This will take the sub to a whole new level and give the meat more spice.

What about the Cheese

Cheese! Usually a steak and cheese sandwich is made with one of three cheeses; American, Provolone or Cheez Whiz cheese. The two famous rivals in Philadelphia, Pat’s and Geno’s, battle this one out between their customers constantly so, it’s more about preference really. Personally, I’m a fan of all three but for this recipe I’m going to recommend Swiss cheese and Nacho Cheese instead.

Swiss cheese, in my opinion, adds more depth to the flavor of the cheesesteak and gives it a little more bite. I’m a big fan of the mushroom and Swiss burgers, not to mention I love French Onion Soup, which is made with Swiss Gruyere cheese, so it only makes sense to use Swiss cheese. The Nacho cheese makes sense to me too because it’s processed cheese with a kick. I did label this sandwich “Spicy” and the Nacho cheese helps achieve that title. I’m only recommending, however, that you use El Mexicano’s brand for canned Nacho Cheese. It’s the best.

On a side note, there are two other steak sandwich’s that I have filmed and posted before, if you care to look at those as another option. Though I really enjoy those other recipes, this is my favorite among the three. Here’s my Steak and Cheese Sandwich and my original Philly Cheesesteak recipes.

Spicy Philly Cheesesteak video tutorial by PoorMansGourmet.

Spicy Philly Cheesesteak Ingredients:

1 lbs Premium Roast Beef, thinly sliced deli meat, 1/2 lb per sub
1 bag 8″ Sub Rolls
1 Onion, chopped 1/2 per sub sandwich
1 can Jalapeno, diced
1 can Nacho Cheese, 2 tbsp per sandwich
1 pkg Swiss Cheese, 2 slices per sub
2 tbsp Olive Oil, for frying
Salt and Pepper to taste

Follow the instructions in the Spicy Philly Cheesesteak video tutorial and I’ll show you exactly how easy this is to make.

Homemade Steak and Cheese Sandwich with sauteed Onions and Peppers.

The Best Steak and Cheese

If you love a Philly Cheese Steak, wait until you try this Steak and Cheese sub style sandwich. It’s made with chipped beef, sliced and marinated, from a Beef Chuck Tender roast. Then it’s topped with sauteed onions, sweet lunch box peppers and melted Monterrey Jack cheese. I like to use full length loafs of French Bread, cut in half and spread with butter, before I load them with goodies, then quickly toast them in the oven under the broiler. If this sounds good to you, let’s get started.

Semi Frozen Beef Chuck Tender portions for chipped beef.

Steak and Cheese Chipped Beef

One of the first things I learned about meat preparation was the secret to cutting thin sliced meat. This secret can be applied to pork and chicken as well, not just beef. All you have to do, after the meat has been cut into portions, is place the meat on cookie sheets and freeze for 30 to 45 minutes. Once the meat is firm, it’s a lot easier to cut and slice into thin pieces. If you’re using a meat slicer, you can stack the meat portions into 3’s and freeze for an hour, instead, then run them on the blade.

In my video tutorial I use my food processor to cut the meat but I don’t recommend that you do this at home because it can be dangerous. The cheese grader blade, on my machine, has a reversed blade designed to slice vegetables, not meat. So, be for warned that it is dangerous to cut chipped beef this way and that I don’t recommend that you do it this way. Stick with a meat slicer, grinder or a sharp kitchen knife. Even better, just have your butcher do it for you.

https://youtu.be/1If5tL5D2JE

Poor Man’s Gourmet Kitchen Video Tutorial for a Steak and Cheese Sandwich.

Steak and Cheese Ingredients:

2 Loaf French Bread
3 lbs Beef Chuck Tender Roast, chipped
3 tbsp Butter
1 Onion, sliced
1 Bell Pepper, sliced
1 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
Salt and Pepper to taste during cooking

Marinade
1 Garlic Clove, chopped
1 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 tbsp Honey
2 tbsp Olive Oil
2 tbsp White Wine Vinegar

After everything has been cooked, the meat and vegetables, you can combine everything and melt the cheese in the pan, covered with a lid, or bake in the oven, on the french bread under a low broil for, a few minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly toasted. I recommend that you butter the bread first ,though, before you toast your Steak and Cheese Sandwich.