The Philly cheesesteak is an icon in the City of Brotherly Love. It’s deeply umami-flavored with a textural explosion that leaves a lasting impression. Getting your hands on the real thing can be a challenge if you don’t live in Philly, but making Philly cheesesteak sliders is, thankfully, within your reach. These Philly cheesesteak sliders take all the good from a classic Philly cheesesteak and turn it into easier-to-handle sliders.
What is a Philly cheesesteak?
A Philly cheesesteak is made up of thinly sliced ribeye steak and melted cheese on a long, crusty hoagie roll. The cheese of choice is typically Cheez Whiz, but American and provolone cheese are also an option. Topping can include grilled onions, hot or sweet peppers, sauteed mushrooms and even ketchup—the cheese and toppings are up to the customer’s decision.
A Philly cheesesteak is iconic for a reason (just like the city’s water ice), so try not to stray too far from the classic when making these sliders.
Ingredients for Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
- Green peppers: We love the dark green color and slightly crunchy texture these peppers add to the sliders.
- Sweet onions: We included sweet onions in our Philly cheesesteak sliders recipe. They add a nice allium and sweet, caramelly flavor!
- Hawaiian rolls: Pre-made Hawaiian rolls make any slider recipe incredibly easy to prepare. You could also go the extra mile and make your Hawaiian dinner rolls from scratch if you’re feeling up to it!
- Roast beef: While it’s not the traditional sliced ribeye steak, we like to use sliced deli roast beef for easy stacking in our Philly cheesesteak sliders recipe.
- Provolone: We’ve opted for sliced provolone as it’s a very common cheese to use on a cheesesteak and the slices can lay nicely in the sliders.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the peppers and onions
In a large skillet, cook the green peppers and sliced sweet onions in oil over medium-high heat until they’re tender, eight to ten minutes.
Step 2: Cut the Hawaiian roll loaves
Take both of the entire Hawaiian roll loaves out of the bag and slice the loaves in half horizontally. Do not separate the individual rolls from each other. Arrange the two bottom halves in a greased 13×9-inch baking pan.
Step 3: Layer the sliders
Layer with the roast beef, pepper and onion mixture, and the cheese slices. Pop the top halves of the rolls on top.
Step 4: Drizzle on the butter mixture and chill
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and whisk in the dried onion, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Drizzle the mixture over the rolls. Cover the pan with storage wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate the pre-baked sliders for eight hours or overnight.
Step 5: Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the rolls from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake the rolls, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Take the rolls out and cover the pan with aluminum foil. Continue baking the rolls until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes longer.
Recipe Variations
- Swap the meat: Feel free to swap the roast beef for very thinly sliced ribeye steak. Keep in mind, the sliders might be just a little bit uneven when stacking.
- Use a different cheese: Substitute the sliced provolone for mozzarella or Swiss. If you want to stay true to the traditional Philly cheesesteak, use Cheez Whiz.
- Sneak in more veggies: Although uncommon in a true cheesesteak, a few extra veggies can be added! Sautee some spinach, zucchini, cherry tomatoes or mushrooms and layer them in the sliders.
- Add extra spice: Layer a few pickled jalapenos in these sliders for a subtle crunch and a kick of heat.
How to Store Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
To store, allow the sliders to cool completely to room temperature. Place the sliders in an airtight container or wrap them very well in storage wrap or aluminum foil. They can last in the fridge for up to four days.
Can you make Philly cheesesteak sliders ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these Philly cheesesteak sliders ahead of time! In fact, you’ll need to place the rolls in the fridge for eight hours before baking them, so you’ll want to make sure you have some extra time on your hands for this slider recipe. You could also cut the rolls and prep the onion mixture beforehand, too.
Philly Cheesesteak Sliders Tips
What steak should I use for Philly cheesesteak sliders?
Sliced ribeye is the traditional steak to use for a Philly cheesesteak. You can also use skirt steak. However, keep in mind that those might not be as easy to stack for a slider as a sliced deli roast beef would be.
What can you serve with Philly cheesesteak sliders?
Serve Philly cheesesteak sliders with fries, onion rings or potato chips. For something a little healthier and brighter, throw together a quick and easy side salad recipe.
