The Perfect Cheese For A Philly Cheesesteak

The Philly Cheesesteak is one of the most famous sandwiches in the US, and for good reason. This mouth-watering combination of thin, juicy beef, sautéed onions, and melted cheese on a toasted hoagie roll is an iconic American comfort food. But what kind of cheese should you use?

The most popular cheeses for a Philly Cheesesteak are mild provolone, white American cheese, and Cheez Whiz. Provolone is the most common choice, but some say it can make the sandwich dry. White American cheese is also a popular option as it has a gooeyness that holds the sandwich together. If you're feeling indulgent, you can even make a beer/cheese sauce with sodium citrate. Cheez Whiz might pain some people to admit, but it's the classic choice for a Philly Cheesesteak.

Provolone

When making a Philly cheesesteak, it's important to slice the beef as thinly as possible. Placing the steak in the freezer for 30-60 minutes before slicing will make it easier to cut into thin strips. The beef should be cooked in a hot pan to sear the meat and add flavour. The onions should be cooked over low heat until caramelised.

To assemble the sandwich, the cheese is melted on top of the beef and onions, and then the roll is placed over the mixture and flipped over with a spatula so that the beef, onions, and cheese can be scraped into the roll. The roll can be toasted with garlic butter for extra flavour.

White American

When making a Philly cheesesteak, it is important to use a good-quality cheese that will melt well and complement the other ingredients. The cheese should be sliced thinly and placed on top of the meat and onions before being covered with a toasted roll. The heat from the meat and onions will melt the cheese, and the sandwich can then be flipped over using a spatula.

Cheez Whiz

To use Cheez Whiz on your Philly cheesesteak, simply spread it on the bread before assembling the sandwich, or melt it directly on the beef in the pan. If you're feeling extra indulgent, you can even do both!

While Cheez Whiz is a convenient option, some people prefer to make their own cheese sauce from scratch. This allows you to control the ingredients and customise the flavour to your taste. You can find recipes for homemade cheese sauce online, and many of them are quite simple to make.

Whether you use Cheez Whiz or make your own sauce, the key to a great Philly cheesesteak is to use a generous amount of cheese and let it melt into the meat and bread. This creates a delicious, gooey texture that is sure to satisfy your cravings. So, if you're looking to recreate the classic Philly cheesesteak experience, be sure to give Cheez Whiz a try!

Mozzarella

When choosing mozzarella for your Philly cheesesteak, look for a good-quality fresh mozzarella, preferably made from whole milk. You can use either a block of mozzarella that you shred yourself or buy pre-shredded mozzarella, which can be more convenient. Either way, make sure the cheese is shredded finely so that it melts easily and evenly.

To assemble your mozzarella Philly cheesesteak, start by thinly slicing your beef. Ribeye is the classic choice, but other cuts like sirloin or round steak can also work. Season the beef with salt and pepper, and then cook it in a hot pan with some sliced onions until browned. You can also add other ingredients like green peppers or mushrooms if you like.

Once your meat and vegetables are cooked, it's time to add the cheese. Sprinkle your shredded mozzarella evenly over the meat and vegetables in the pan. Let it melt for a minute or two, and then use a spatula to scoop the mixture into your toasted hoagie roll. You can also add some mayonnaise or other condiments to your sandwich if desired.

So, while mozzarella may not be the traditional choice for a Philly cheesesteak, it can be a delicious option that brings a bit of variety to this classic sandwich.

Monterey Jack

While the traditional cheeses used in a Philly cheesesteak are provolone, white American cheese, or Cheez Whiz, some recipes suggest using Monterey Jack as a substitute.

When making a Philly cheesesteak with Monterey Jack, it is important to slice the beef as thinly as possible. Freezing the steak for 30-60 minutes before slicing will make this easier. The beef should be seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked in a hot pan to sear the meat and add flavour. The onions should be cooked over low heat until caramelised, and the cheese melted on top of the meat before adding the toasted roll and flipping the sandwich.

Some recipes suggest adding sliced green peppers or mushrooms to the Philly cheesesteak, but this is not traditional. The type of roll used is also important, with Amoroso rolls being the preferred choice for an authentic Philly cheesesteak.

Frequently asked questions