Perfecting Philly Cheesesteak: Instant Pot Cooking Time

Philly Cheesesteaks are a cultural icon in Philadelphia, but you can make them in the comfort of your own home using an Instant Pot. The pressure cooker makes the meat tender and juicy, and the whole sandwich can be made in under 30 minutes. The traditional Philly Cheesesteak is made with thinly sliced steak, onions, and green bell peppers, topped with melted cheese on a hoagie roll. However, there are many variations to this sandwich, and you can add or remove ingredients according to your preference.

How to cook Philly cheesesteak in an Instant Pot

Ingredients

Depending on the recipe you choose to follow, you will need some or all of the following ingredients:

• 2-3 pounds of beef ( top round roast, sirloin steak, or ribeye steak)
• 1-2 cups of beef broth or water
• 2 cups of diced yellow onions
• 8-12 slices of provolone cheese (or Cheese Whiz or American cheese)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 1 green pepper, sliced
• 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 6 slices of provolone cheese
• 4 hoagie rolls, for serving
• 4 tablespoons of butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of dijon mustard (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon of hot sauce (optional)
• 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Method

Again, the method you follow will depend on the recipe you choose, but here is a general guide:

• Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting.
• Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
• Add oil to the Instant Pot and place the beef inside, browning each side for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the beef and add the onions, sauteing until they start to turn brown.
• Pour in the beef broth or water and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
• Place a trivet into the pot and put the beef on top.
• Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing.
• Set the pressure cook button to 3-10 minutes, depending on the recipe and how well-done you like your meat.
• When the time is up, let the pot sit for a natural pressure release of 10-30 minutes.
• Remove the lid and check the temperature of the beef—it should be close to 120° F. If it is significantly lower, place it back into the pot, cover, and use the Keep Warm button to continue cooking.
• Place the beef on a cutting board and loosely tent it with foil. Let it rest for 8 minutes before slicing it as thinly as possible.
• Dump out the liquid in the Instant Pot and dry it out. Turn the Instant Pot to saute.
• Add the onions, beef, and cheese to the Instant Pot and toss until the cheese is melted.
• Pile the mixture onto hoagie rolls and serve immediately.

How to make cheese sauce for Philly cheesesteak

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Salt
• Pepper
• Dijon mustard
• Hot sauce
• Cheese

Method:

Making a cheese sauce for a Philly cheesesteak is simple. You can make it while your meat is cooking in the Instant Pot.

First, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and continue whisking for two minutes.

Next, gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth. You can add the milk in three parts for best results.

Then, whisk in your seasonings, and remove the pan from the heat. Finally, stir in the cheese until the sauce is smooth.

Variations:

There are many variations of cheese sauce that you can make for a Philly cheesesteak. Here are some ideas:

• Use a combination of shredded cheddar and American cheese, with cornstarch, garlic powder, dry ground mustard, sea salt, and evaporated milk.
• Make a bechamel sauce with butter, flour, and milk, and add shredded aged Provolone and Parmigiano-Reggiano for depth of flavor.
• Try garlic aioli for a strong and savory garlic flavor.
• Marinara sauce brings a tomato-based tanginess and a subtle sweetness.
• Ranch dressing adds a creamy tanginess and can help mellow out any spicy seasoning.

How to store Philly cheesesteak leftovers

Leftovers from Philly cheesesteaks can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you're ready to eat, place the leftovers on a hoagie roll and top with cheese. You can then put it in the oven to heat up and melt the cheese.

Leftovers can also be served over rice with a side of vegetables.

What to serve with Philly cheesesteak

Philly cheesesteaks are a cultural icon in Philadelphia, and a delicious, hearty meal. But what to serve with them? Here are some ideas for side dishes to accompany this classic sandwich.

Classic Sides

The most common sides to serve with Philly cheesesteaks are French fries and onion rings. However, if you're looking for something a little different, why not try sweet potato fries, or even onion rings with a twist, like crispy garlic Parmesan onion rings?

Salads

A fresh, crisp salad can help to balance out the richness of the cheesesteak. Try a simple arugula salad with a balsamic glaze, or a classic Caesar salad. If you're looking for something a little more substantial, a pasta salad or macaroni salad could be a good option.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower is a great way to add some extra veggies to your meal. You could also try caramelized onions, or grilled zucchini.

Other Sides

Some other options for sides include fried okra, fried pickles, or zucchini spears. If you're looking for something more substantial, you could try dauphinoise potatoes.

So, there you have it! Plenty of options to choose from to accompany your Philly cheesesteak.

How to make Philly cheesesteak in an Instant Pot: ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients

To make Philly cheesesteak in an Instant Pot, you'll need:

• A pressure cooker
• Beef broth
• Bread rolls (hoagie rolls, sub sandwich rolls, or another type of crusty bread)
• Cheese (provolone, American cheese, cheese sauce, or cheese whiz)
• Garlic powder
• Ground black pepper
• Olive oil or another neutral cooking oil
• Onion (red, yellow, or white)
• Salt
• Sirloin steak or another cut of thinly sliced steak
• Sliced green bell peppers (optional)

Substitutions

You can make several substitutions to the ingredients listed above:

• Instead of sirloin steak, you can use ribeye steak, roast beef, or tenderloin.
• If you don't want to use provolone cheese, you can substitute it with American cheese, cheese sauce, or cheese whiz.
• You can also add other types of cheese like cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella.
• Green bell peppers are optional, and you can use another colour of bell pepper if preferred.
• If you don't have olive oil, you can use another neutral cooking oil like canola or avocado oil.
• Red onions can be replaced with white or yellow onions.
• You can also add other ingredients like mushrooms, garlic, Italian seasoning, or hot sauce to enhance the flavour.

Instructions

• Slice the steak into thin strips and season with salt and pepper. You can also add garlic powder or fresh garlic for more flavour.
• Add olive oil, sliced steak, onions, and peppers (if using) to the Instant Pot.
• Cook on high pressure for 2-10 minutes, depending on the recipe you follow.
• Do a quick release of the pressure or natural release for 10 minutes, depending on the recipe.
• Toast the bread rolls or hoagie rolls in the oven or under a broiler.
• Assemble the sandwiches by adding the meat mixture to the rolls and topping with cheese.
• Broil the sandwiches until the cheese has melted.
• Serve and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions