Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteaks

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Slow cooker Philly cheesesteaks are a delicious and easy dinner you can make right in your own kitchen. Tender shredded beef, caramelized onions, fresh peppers, and mushrooms all slow cooked together to make an unforgettable (but easy) meal.

Close up of a steak sandwich with both red and green peppers on the side

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🥖Shopping list
🥣How to make crock pot Philly cheesesteaks
🍽Serving suggestions
Storing leftovers
😉Hints & hacks
❓Frequently asked questions
📖 Recipe

I was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. Therefore, like all Philadelphians, I like to claim cheesesteak sandwiches as my own. As a result, I was hesitant to attempt to make a slow cooker version.

In my head, there was no way it could possibly be as good as the real thing. After all, beef sizzling in a ton of grease with gooey, melty cheese is what makes the original soooo good. Something I felt a crock pot wouldn't be able to replicate.

But, I finally took the leap. Is this version as good as classic sandwich you can get in an authentic Philly cheesesteak shop? Nope! BUT - is it an amazingly good (and a bit healthier!) family favorite meal worthy of making in your own kitchen! Often!! It is one of my most favorite slow cooker recipes!

A cheesesteak sandwich laying open on a plate

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To make delicious crockpot cheesesteak sandwiches you will need:

beef - thinly sliced or shaved beef works best. This recipe is easiest if you can buy it that way. If not, you can thinly cut on your own.
peppers - sliced and seeded
onion - sliced
mushrooms - canned or fresh both work equally well
garlic - minced
Worcestershire sauce
onion powder
salt
pepper
hoagie rolls - or any type of crusty sandwich roll
provolone cheese - sliced
olive oil

All steak sandwich ingredients on a table with labels

🥣How to make crock pot Philly cheesesteaks

To prep this easy slow cooker recipe, you will need to slice your onions and bell peppers into thin strips. A red and green pepper make for a nice color and flavor variety. But, you can use just green bell pepper if it is easier.

All ingredients in slow cooker before mixing

If you are starting with a roast, you will want to slice or shave it as thinly as possible. Since I am lazy and I really like to use very thin beef, I prefer to buy packages of beef that are already sliced or shaved.

The mushroom you use in the recipe should also be sliced. Both fresh and canned mushrooms work well.

Once everything is sliced, diced,. and measured, place it all in your slow cooker. Stir with a large spoon to fully mix. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours

Just prior to serving, cut open your hoagie buns and brush lightly with olive oil. Place in an oven or toaster oven on a baking sheet and toast lightly. Add 2-3 slices of provolone cheese to the roll and return to oven long enough for the cheese to melt and get gooey. If pressed for time, you can skip this step and allow cheese to melt on your hot beef

Fill cheese-lined rolls with your tender steak mixture and these Philly-style cheesesteak sandwiches are ready for the dinner table! Your entire family will devour this delicious meal.

Close up of a crockpot full of steak sandwich meat, peppers, onions and mushrooms after cookin g

🍽Serving suggestions

As an alternative to provolone cheese, Cheez Whiz is a favorite among Philadelphians. To add an extra touch of authenticity to your cheesesteak sandwich, melt some Whiz in a microwave-safe bowl. This melted goodness can then just be poured right on top of your sandwich.

If you don't like provolone, you can substitute it with American cheese. If you are not a fan of crunchy bread, this dish can also be served on a soft hoagie roll.

Other traditional topping options include ketchup, hot peppers, hot sauce, and pizza sauce. Favorite side dishes are of course French fries, potato chips and fried onion rings. Corn spoonbread and cheesy potatoes are also great side options.

Two hands pulling different sides of a cut sandwich with cheese stretching between the halves

Storing leftovers

Slow cooker cheesesteak filling will store really well in both the fridge and freezer. I recommend storing the cooked meat/pepper/onion/mushroom mixture in a meal-sized airtight container. It will last about 3-4 days in the refrigerator and up to about 3 months in the freezer.

Of course, this assumes you have any leftovers!

😉Hints & hacks

To make the easiest slow cooker cheesesteaks possible, you can buy beef already shaved and onions, peppers, and mushrooms already cut up. This makes for the ultimate "dump and go" meal.
If your butcher/market doesn't sell shaved beef, buy a roast and slice it as thin as you possibly can. For a more economical/easy version, use a chuck roast with this recipe and shred it after it has finished cooking.
Both fresh and canned mushrooms work well in this recipe. Frozen, pre-sliced onions and peppers will also work well.
This is a perfect meal for days when your people will be eating at different times. After the cooking time, turn your slow cooker to warm. (Or, have it automatically switch to warm if your slow cooker has this feature). Everyone can have a hot and filling meal, when they are ready to eat.
I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
In the market for a new slow cooker? This one is my current favorite.
Love the idea of a delicious sandwich made in your slow cooker? Taco Sloppy Joes are another favorite!

Sandwich with diced hot peppers on side — I usually melt the cheese before I add beef, but melting cheese on top is great too!

❓Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to order a cheesesteak "wit"

Philadelphians sometimes have a language all their own. It is not uncommon to hear people in local eateries ordering their cheesesteaks "wit". Wit is Philadelphian for "with" and it refers to onions. So ordering a cheesesteak "wit"means you are requesting fried onions. Wit-out is, of course is how those who don't want onions order their sandwiches.

I don't eat cheese, can I eat this without it?

Yes! A cheesesteak without the cheese is called a steak sandwich and is fully delicious on its own!

What is the difference between a cheesesteak sandwich and a cheesesteak hoagie?

In case you aren't aware, "hoagie" is the term we use in Philly for a cold sub (submarine) sandwich. Cheesesteaks can be ordered as a fully hot sandwich or as a "cheesesteak hoagie". A cheesesteak hoagie hsd the hot beef and cheese mixture combined with regular (cold) lettuce and tomato . A regular cheesesteak does not include any raw vegetables.

Where did the concept of a "cheesesteak" first come from?

The cheesesteak with invented in the 1930's by a Philadelphia hot dog vendor named Pat Olivieri.

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