What Is Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak?
This easy crockpot Philly cheesesteak recipe takes the iconic sandwich and makes it completely hands off — tender, juicy steak slow cooked with caramelized onions, mushrooms, and peppers in a rich savory broth, then piled high on hoagie rolls and smothered with melted provolone. It tastes just like the real thing but with a fraction of the effort. Set it in the morning and come home to the most incredible smelling kitchen!
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- Cuisine: American
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
What You’ll Need
- A 6-quart slow cooker — the star of this recipe
- Round sirloin or skirt steak — thinly sliced for maximum tenderness
- Hoagie rolls — sturdy enough to hold all that delicious filling
- Provolone cheese — melts beautifully over the hot filling
- Beef broth — keeps the meat incredibly tender throughout cooking
Ingredients
- 2 lbs round sirloin or skirt steak, thinly sliced
- 1-2 slices sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 poblano or green bell peppers, sliced
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 2½-3 cups beef broth
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro or parsley
- 4-6 hoagie rolls
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- Chipotle or regular mayo (optional)
How to Make Easy Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak
Step 1: Layer the crockpot In the crockpot toss the onions, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce together — these create an incredible flavor base as they slowly cook. Add butter and steak slices. Season generously with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Layer mushrooms and peppers on top then pour the beef broth and soy sauce over everything. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours, stirring a couple of times. Add more broth if the liquid gets too low — the steak should stay mostly submerged!
Step 2: Finishing touches Once cooked, stir in fresh cilantro or parsley for a bright herby finish. Taste and adjust salt and pepper — slow cooking can mellow flavors so don’t be shy!
Step 3: Assemble the sandwiches Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread mayo on each hoagie roll if using. Fill each roll with the steak mixture then top generously with provolone slices. Wrap in foil and bake for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is perfectly melted. Serve hot!
Tips for the Best Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak
- Slice steak thinly — the thinner the slices the more tender the result after slow cooking
- Keep steak submerged — add extra broth if the liquid gets too low during cooking
- Don’t skip the brown sugar — it enhances caramelization and balances the savory flavors beautifully
- Wrap in foil to melt cheese — wrapping the assembled sandwiches in foil and baking is the secret to perfectly melted gooey cheese
- Use fresh herbs at the end — adding cilantro or parsley after cooking keeps the flavor bright and fresh
- Taste and adjust — slow cooking mellows flavors so always taste before serving and adjust seasoning!
Substitutions and Variations
- Cheese — mozzarella or sharp cheddar work great instead of provolone
- Peppers — use jalapeños for extra heat or red bell peppers for sweetness
- Spicier version — add diced jalapeños or use pepper jack cheese
- No crockpot — use a heavy pot on the stovetop, layer ingredients similarly and simmer on low heat checking regularly
What to Serve with Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak
- French fries or sweet potato fries
- Coleslaw
- Potato chips
- A simple green salad
- Pickles on the side
- Extra mayo or hot sauce for dipping
How to Store Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak
Refrigerator: Store the steak mixture separately from the rolls in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat the filling on the stovetop or microwave and assemble fresh sandwiches!
Freezer: The steak filling freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop. Don’t freeze assembled sandwiches.
Meal prep: Make a big batch of the filling and use it throughout the week for sandwiches, rice bowls, or pasta!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cheese? Yes! While provolone is traditional, mozzarella or sharp cheddar both work deliciously. Pepper jack is great if you want some heat!
What if I don’t have a crockpot? Use a heavy pot on the stovetop. Follow the same layering steps and simmer on low heat, checking regularly to ensure the meat stays submerged.
How can I make this spicier? Add diced jalapeños to the crockpot or use pepper jack cheese instead of provolone. A drizzle of hot sauce on the finished sandwich also works great!
Can I use frozen steak? It’s not recommended — always thaw steak completely before adding to the slow cooker for food safety and even cooking.
Can I double this recipe? Absolutely! Double all ingredients and use a larger slow cooker. Cook time stays the same. Perfect for parties and game day!
What’s the best cut of steak to use? Round sirloin or skirt steak work best. If you want even more tenderness, New York strip or ribeye are excellent upgrades!
More Easy Crockpot Recipes You’ll Love
Easy Chicken Parmesan Casserole
If you make these easy crockpot Philly cheesesteaks I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below or tag me on Pinterest! 🎉
Easy Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak
Ingredients
- 2 lbs round sirloin or skirt steak, thinly sliced
- 2 slices sweet onion thinly sliced
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 8 oz button mushrooms sliced
- 2 poblano or green bell peppers sliced
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 2 1/2-3 cups beef broth
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro or parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 hoagie rolls
- 6 provolone cheese slices
- Chipotle or regular mayo (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Layer the crockpot- In the crockpot toss the onions, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce together — these create an incredible flavor base as they slowly cook. Add butter and steak slices. Season generously with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Layer mushrooms and peppers on top then pour the beef broth and soy sauce over everything. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours, stirring a couple of times. Add more broth if the liquid gets too low — the steak should stay mostly submerged!Step 2: Finishing touches- Once cooked, stir in fresh cilantro or parsley for a bright herby finish. Taste and adjust salt and pepper — slow cooking can mellow flavors so don't be shy!Step 3: Assemble the sandwiches- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread mayo on each hoagie roll if using. Fill each roll with the steak mixture then top generously with provolone slices. Wrap in foil and bake for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is perfectly melted. Serve hot!
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