Slow Cooker Cheesesteaks

Slow cooker cheesesteaks are full of flavor and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. They are perfect for busy days when you need dinner to be easy or even when entertaining. Guests always love eating them.

If you are looking for something perfect for a busy night, these slow cooker Philly cheesesteaks are the answer. They are quick to prep and cook all day so they are ready when you are to serve.

These are perfect for entertaining too. We get asked to make these for family get togethers often.

Toasting under the broiler is optional, but recommended! It melts the cheese perfectly and adds a slight crisp to the rolls.

When we bring them to a gathering we usually do not toast them. It is easier to leave them in the slow cooker and let people serve themselves.

Ingredients

Steak – We use London broil for these slow cooker cheesesteaks, but you can use a rump or bottom round roast as well.

Oil – We use olive oil, but you can use your favorite oil for cooking. This is used for searing.

Onion – I recommend a yellow onion, but you can use a white or sweet onion in it’s place.

Pepper – We prefer the taste of a green pepper in our sandwiches, but you can use the bell pepper of your choice. Note that other bell peppers are sweeter then green peppers.

Broth – We use reduced sodium beef broth. When we use unsalted broth, we increase the amount of salt used to 1 and a half teaspoons. If you use regular broth (full sodium), you may want to leave the salt out depending your taste.

Garlic – We use garlic powder, but you can substitute it with fresh garlic.

Paprika – Regular or smoked paprika is good here, we usually use regular for our cheesesteaks.

Salt – If you are using full sodium broth, you can leave the salt out.

Italian seasoning – You can substitute with one half of a teaspoon each – parsley, basil and oregano if you do not have Italian seasoning.

Red pepper flakes – Recommended to add a little flavor, but optional. If you want them to have a little spice, try adding some cayenne pepper!

Rolls – We usually get packaged hoagie rolls, but you can use your favorite.

Cheese – Mozzarella or provolone are the cheeses we prefer, but you can add your favorite cheese.

Making slow cooker cheesesteaks

We like to use our multi cooker for this because I can sear the steak in the multi cooker and then slow cook it as well, but a Crock-Pot works just as good.

If your slow cooker is not a multi-cooker, you can sear the steak in a pan first. I find the steak more flavorful and easier to cut into thin strips after searing.

Prepping the steak and vegetables

First you will sear the steak. To sear, add oil to a heated pan or multi-cooker with a stove-top feature. It is best if you hear sizzling when you add the steak to the pan.

As a note, if your steak did not sizzle when it went in the pan because the pan wasn’t hot enough your steaks will still turn out good. This has happened to me before and they were still amazing!

Allow your steak to cook about 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove from pan and place on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife (I use my filet knife for this), cut the steak across the grain into thin slices.

For the pepper and onion – I slice them in half from top to bottom. Then slice the halves in half again. Slice into thin slices – you will now have thin slices that are about 2-3 inches long.

This does not have to be perfect, you can cut them how you like them. We prefer short strips for ours.

Cook

Add the thinly sliced steak, onions and peppers to your slow cooker. You don’t have to layer them in any order, just put them all in together.

Add the Italian seasoning, garlic, paprika, salt and red pepper flakes on top. Pour the broth over and stir well to mix the seasonings in.

Be sure that the steak is fully submerged in the broth, push it down if needed to be submerged.

Place the lid on and cook your slow cooker Philly cheesesteaks for at least 6 hours on low. We do 7-8 hours usually. You want the steak fibers to break down so it is very tender meat on your sandwich.

Putting the cheesesteaks together

Once they are ready, give them a good stir. Use a slotted spoon, spoon out onto hoagie rolls.

Top with cheese and allow cheese to melt or for best results, place the assembled cheesesteaks on a foil lined baking tray. Broil for about 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bread is toasted to your liking.

Believe it or not, I never like using a broiler until I started making these. It was like a small fear of something catching on fire – but here I am using it often now!

Making slow cooker cheesesteaks for a get together

Rolls – If you are bringing these to a gathering, you may want to bring smaller sized rolls. Club rolls are perfect for a get together because there is going to be other foods.

Extra ingredients – You can add more meat, peppers and onions to these as well so it is more for the crowd. Just be sure that your meat is fully submerged in the broth for best texture. If you add more broth, add a little more seasoning – amounts vary based on how much broth you add.

Cheese – I try to add 3 different cheeses when cooking this for a crowd. Mozzarella, provolone and American are the common favorites on slow cooker Philly cheesesteaks.

Transporting – If you are transporting after it is finished cooking, you can turn it off and bring it as it is. If you have a carrying bag for your slow cooker, you can use that. We don’t always use one so it’s not required, but helpful.

If you are transporting it before it is finished cooking, no problem! Turn it off right before you leave and turn it back on when you get to your destination. If your destination was a half hour away or less, you won’t lose any cook time.

If you are traveling further, I recommend cooking it for at least 4 hours before leaving. The meat should be mostly brown before transporting a longer distance. If it is still red, it is likely too cold in the slow cooker to travel a long distance and may cause bacteria.

When you reach your destination, turn it back on and continue to cook. Cook times when transporting will vary. The meat needs to be overcooked to be tender so you know it is ready when it is tender.

What goes good on cheesesteaks

There are many different things you can put on them! People like different toppings on their slow cooker cheesesteaks and they are completely customizable.

Some popular toppings are:

• Hot sauce – I love homemade hot sauce on mine!
• Hot peppers – Fresh or pickled from a jar.
• Sweet peppers – Pickled sweet peppers like the ones from a deli are popular.
• Cheez Whiz – This is popular if you go to Philly for cheesesteak. It may be cheaper locally.
• Steak sauce – Your favorite steak sauce.
• Ketchup – Some people love ketchup on their steak sandwiches.
• BBQ sauce – This is another popular choice for some.

Frequently asked questions

Some useful items

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• Multi-cooker – A multi-cooker is always great to have but not required. It’s nice to sear and slow cook all in the same kitchen gadget!
• Slow cooker – Cheaper then a multi-cooker and works great, but you cannot sear it directly in the slow cooker. This one has a locking lid (never cook with the lid locked down) for transporting. I have 2 Crock-Pots with locking lids and they are great for bringing out of the house.
• Slotted spoon – This is a wooden one in case your multi-cooker/slow cooker is non stick. I don’t like plastic for it, especially if the spoon will be sitting in the dish at a get together.

For step by step slide – easy slow cooker cheesesteaks.