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.
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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!
🥖Shopping list
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
🥣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.
🥖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 for 4-6 hours
🥖Optional step: 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.
🍽Serving ideas
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.
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!
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😉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!
If you love this recipe, please let me know in the comment section below!
❓Frequently asked questions
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.
Yes! A cheesesteak without the cheese is called a steak sandwich and is fully delicious on its own!
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.
The cheesesteak with invented in the 1930's by a Philadelphia hot dog vendor named Pat Olivieri.
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteaks
Equipment
- 3.5 qt slow cooker or larger
- Knife and cutting board
- Mixing Spoon
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs shaved or thinly sliced beef
- 2 peppers, cut into strips 1 green and 1 red
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced both canned and fresh will work
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- hoagie rolls
- olive oil
- sliced provolone cheese
Instructions
- place liner in slow cooker, if using
- drain all liquid from can, if using canned mushrooms
- Add beef, peppers, onion, mushrooms and all spices to slow cooker
- stir to fully mix
- cover and cook on low 5-6 hours until all beef is fully cooked
- slice open a hoagie (Italian) roll and brush will olive oil (optional)
- lightly toast bread
- place two slices of provolone cheese on your toasted bread and return to oven to melt cheese. This will just take a couple of minutes
- place meat mixture on bread with melted cheese to make a sandwich
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
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Anne says
This was absolutely delicious. I only used one 14 oz package of shaved beef since that's all I had, and it still had great beef flavor. Will definitely make again!
TAMERA BYERS says
do you add any liquid to slow cooker, won't it dry out after hours.
The Lazy Slow Cooker says
Hi Tamera, You do not need to add any liquid. Both the juices from the vegetables and the fat in the meat will provide plenty. Unlike cooking in a stovetop pan, once you place a lid on a slow cooker, the liquid is trapped in side and cannot escape as steam the way it does in an open pan. This will keep things juicy enough without making them soupy. Thanks for asking and I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!
Mary says
So easy - and superb! I should have doubled the recipe, it was that good!!
The Lazy Slow Cooker says
I am so happy to hear that you enjoy it!! Thank you for sharing!!!