Effortless Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak: A Flavor Explosion!
Craving a delicious and satisfying Philly cheesesteak but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? This slow cooker Philly cheesesteak recipe is the answer! It’s incredibly easy to make, requires minimal effort, and delivers maximum flavor. The slow cooker transforms tough cuts of beef into tender, juicy perfection, infused with the savory flavors of onions, peppers, and garlic. Get ready to sink your teeth into a melt-in-your-mouth sandwich that will become a family favorite.
## Why This Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Recipe Works
* **Effortless Cooking:** The slow cooker does all the work! Simply toss the ingredients in, set it, and forget it. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.
* **Tender and Juicy Beef:** Slow cooking breaks down the connective tissues in the beef, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy meat that melts in your mouth.
* **Flavorful and Savory:** The combination of beef, onions, peppers, garlic, and seasonings creates a rich and complex flavor profile that is irresistible.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your preferences by adding different types of cheese, toppings, or seasonings.
* **Perfect for a Crowd:** This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a large group.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Beef:** 3-4 pounds beef chuck roast (or shoulder roast), trimmed of excess fat
* **Onions:** 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
* **Bell Peppers:** 2 bell peppers (any color), thinly sliced
* **Garlic:** 4 cloves garlic, minced
* **Beef Broth:** 1 cup beef broth
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* **Soy Sauce:** 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* **Italian Seasoning:** 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste
* **Cheese:** Provolone cheese slices (or cheese of your choice, such as mozzarella or cheddar)
* **Hoagie Rolls:** 6-8 hoagie rolls, split
* **Optional Toppings:** Banana peppers, mushrooms, jalapenos, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the ultimate slow cooker Philly cheesesteak:
**Step 1: Prepare the Beef**
* Trim any excess fat from the beef chuck roast. While some fat is desirable for flavor, too much can make the sandwich greasy.
* Cut the beef chuck roast into 2-3 inch chunks. This will help it cook more evenly and tenderize faster in the slow cooker.
**Step 2: Layer the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker**
* In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, layer the sliced onions and bell peppers on the bottom. This will prevent the beef from sticking to the bottom and add flavor to the vegetables.
* Place the beef chunks on top of the onions and peppers.
* Sprinkle the minced garlic over the beef.
**Step 3: Add the Liquid and Seasonings**
* Pour the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce over the beef and vegetables.
* Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly over the ingredients.
**Step 4: Slow Cook the Philly Cheesesteak Meat**
* Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The beef should be very tender and easily shreddable.
* The cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker, so check the beef for tenderness after the minimum cooking time.
**Step 5: Shred the Beef**
* Once the beef is cooked through and tender, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board.
* Use two forks to shred the beef into bite-sized pieces. Discard any large pieces of fat or gristle.
**Step 6: Combine Beef and Vegetables**
* Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker with the onions and peppers. Stir to combine the beef with the vegetables and cooking juices.
* Let the mixture simmer in the slow cooker for another 15-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
**Step 7: Prepare the Cheesesteaks**
* Preheat your oven broiler to low. Alternatively, you can use a large skillet or griddle.
* Open the hoagie rolls and place them on a baking sheet. If using a skillet or griddle, lightly butter the rolls on the outside.
* Spoon a generous amount of the beef and vegetable mixture onto each hoagie roll.
* Top each sandwich with 2-3 slices of provolone cheese (or your cheese of choice).
**Step 8: Melt the Cheese**
* Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
* If using a skillet or griddle, place the sandwiches cheese side up and cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly toasted.
**Step 9: Add Your Favorite Toppings and Serve**
* Remove the Philly cheesesteaks from the oven or skillet.
* Add your favorite toppings, such as banana peppers, mushrooms, jalapenos, mayonnaise, ketchup, or mustard.
* Serve immediately and enjoy!
## Tips and Variations
* **Use a good quality beef:** The better the quality of the beef, the more flavorful the cheesesteak will be. Chuck roast is a good option because it’s relatively inexpensive and becomes very tender when slow-cooked. Shoulder roast also works well.
* **Don’t overcrowd the slow cooker:** If you’re making a large batch, it’s better to use two slow cookers or cook in batches to ensure that the beef cooks evenly.
* **Sear the beef before slow cooking (Optional):** Searing the beef before adding it to the slow cooker adds an extra layer of flavor. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks on all sides until browned. Then, transfer the beef to the slow cooker and continue with the recipe.
* **Add mushrooms:** Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions and peppers for added flavor and texture.
* **Use different types of cheese:** Provolone is the classic choice for Philly cheesesteaks, but you can also use mozzarella, cheddar, or even a cheese sauce.
* **Make it spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the slow cooker for a spicy kick.
* **Add a cheese sauce:** Instead of cheese slices, you can top the cheesesteaks with a homemade or store-bought cheese sauce. A classic cheese sauce made with cheddar cheese, milk, and butter is a delicious option.
* **Use different types of rolls:** While hoagie rolls are traditional, you can also use other types of rolls, such as ciabatta rolls or French rolls.
* **Make it a pizza cheesesteak:** Add pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese to the cheesesteak for a fun twist.
* **Serve with a side:** Philly cheesesteaks are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with sides like french fries, onion rings, or coleslaw.
## Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker Philly cheesesteak recipe is perfect for a variety of occasions:
* **Weeknight Dinner:** A quick and easy meal that the whole family will love.
* **Game Day:** A crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course for watching your favorite sports team.
* **Party Food:** A fun and interactive dish for parties and gatherings.
* **Potlucks:** A delicious and portable dish to share with friends and family.
## Make-Ahead Instructions
* The slow cooker Philly cheesesteak meat can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the meat in a skillet or microwave before assembling the sandwiches.
## Storage Instructions
* Store leftover slow cooker Philly cheesesteak meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
## Printable Recipe Card
## Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
### Ingredients:
* 3-4 pounds beef chuck roast (or shoulder roast), trimmed of excess fat
* 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
* 2 bell peppers (any color), thinly sliced
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup beef broth
* 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Provolone cheese slices (or cheese of your choice)
* 6-8 hoagie rolls, split
* Optional toppings: banana peppers, mushrooms, jalapenos, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard
### Instructions:
1. Trim excess fat from the beef and cut into 2-3 inch chunks.
2. In a slow cooker, layer onions and bell peppers on the bottom.
3. Place beef chunks on top of the vegetables.
4. Sprinkle minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the beef.
5. Pour beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce over the ingredients.
6. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until beef is very tender.
7. Remove beef and shred with two forks. Discard any large pieces of fat.
8. Return shredded beef to the slow cooker with the onions and peppers. Simmer for 15-30 minutes.
9. Preheat oven broiler to low (or use a skillet/griddle).
10. Open hoagie rolls and place on a baking sheet. Spoon beef mixture onto rolls.
11. Top with provolone cheese slices.
12. Broil for 1-2 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly (or cook in skillet/griddle until cheese melts).
13. Add your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
### Notes:
* Sear beef before slow cooking for extra flavor (optional).
* Add mushrooms for added flavor and texture.
* Use different types of cheese or rolls to customize.
* Make it spicy with red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Enjoy your delicious and easy slow cooker Philly cheesesteaks!
## Nutrition Information (Approximate)
* Calories: 600-800 per serving (depending on toppings and cheese)
* Protein: 40-50g
* Fat: 30-40g
* Carbohydrates: 40-50g
*Please note that the nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*
## Conclusion
This slow cooker Philly cheesesteak recipe is a game-changer! It’s a simple, hands-off way to create a restaurant-quality sandwich at home. The tender, flavorful beef, combined with the sweet onions and peppers, and the gooey melted cheese, is a match made in heaven. So, ditch the takeout and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
## Call to Action
Have you tried this slow cooker Philly cheesesteak recipe? Let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear your variations and serving suggestions. Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family!