Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
It’s no secret that Philly Cheesesteaks are a popular dish, but what about when you turn them into Sloppy Joes? This recipe takes all of the flavors of a Philly cheesesteak and turns it into a messy, but delicious, sandwich. The best part is that it’s easy to make and only requires a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients for making this Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Recipe
- Ground beef – Beef makes up the base of this recipe and creates the “sloppy joe” twist. I prefer to use a lean ground beef.
- Red onion – They add a little bit of spicy sweetness and crunch. You could also substitute with a white or yellow onion.
- Green bell pepper – It’s a classic Philly cheesesteak ingredient that makes this sandwich great.
- Ketchup – You’re getting more of the Sloppy Joe flavor from the ketchup added to the meat mixture. You could also substitute for tomato sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce – This ingredient is essential for getting the right flavor, so don’t skip it!
- Salt and pepper – These staple spices help flavor the meat.
- Cornstarch – This helps to thicken up the sauce.
- Beef broth – It adds a ton of meaty flavor and helps the flavors of the meat and veggies blend together. Use your own homemade beef broth or your favorite store-bought brand. You can also substitute for chicken broth in a pinch.
- Provolone cheese – The classic cheese for Philly cheesesteaks gives that authentic flavor. A layer of melty cheese is a must for Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches! You could also use mozzarella cheese or white american cheese as substitutes.
- Butter – You’ll need a little bit for toasting the buns.
- Toasted Brioche Buns – You could also use regular hamburger buns, Hawaiian rolls or a hoagie roll. The Toasted Brioche Buns are my favorite though because they’re sweet and flaky, which makes them the perfect choice for these sandwiches.
Why you’ll love this Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Recipe
- It’s kid-friendly, but still hearty enough to feed bigger appetites. Younger children have a much easier time eating ground beef than steak. It will quickly become a family favorite.
- It’s a great recipe for feeding a crowd, since it’s budget-friendly and can easily be doubled or tripled.
- It’s a fun twist on 2 classic sandwiches that most people love. It combines two favorite comfort-food sandwiches to make one serious comfort food.
- It can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to eat. There is nothing better than an easy dinner.
- Leftover meat (if you have any!) could be used to start a batch of Chili.
Tell me about this Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Recipe
Texture – The beef is cooked until it’s nice and tender, and the veggies add a little bit of crunch. It eats like the traditional sloppy joes we all know and love.
Taste – All of the classic Philly cheesesteak flavors are there, but in sloppy joe form!
Ease – This recipe is very easy to make and comes together quickly. You don’t have to use a lot of dishes, either, so cleanup won’t be overwhelming at all.
Time – From start to finish, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes, so it’s a wonderful recipe to make on busy weeknights or when you’re feeding a crowd unexpectedly.
Tips and Tricks for Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
- Use 80-85% ground beef for the most flavor.
- Make sure to cook the beef and veggies until they’re nice and tender.
- Use fresh green peppers for the best texture and flavor.
- Dice the vegetables pretty small, so they blend in well with the meat.
- If you want an even richer flavor, add a bit of cream cheese to the beef mixture.
Tools Needed to Make This Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Recipe
You don’t need any special tools to make these sandwiches – you likely have everything you need right in your kitchen already.
- Large skillet – You’ll need it to brown the meat over medium-high heat and cook the vegetables.
- Bowl and whisk – You’ll use them to mix the beef broth and cornstarch together to create a thickened sauce.
- Griddle or hot skillet – You’ll use it to toast the buttered buns.
- Baking sheet and oven broiler – You’ll use them to melt the cheese as you finish up these Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes.
What to serve with Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
- Potato Chips
- Potato Salad
- French Fries
- Fruit Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use tapioca starch, potato starch, or arrowroot flour as a substitute for cornstarch.
Yes, you can make them up to 2 days in advance. Just reheat them over low heat until they’re warmed through.
Brioche hamburger buns are the best kind of buns to use for this recipe, but you could also use regular hamburger buns.
From start to finish, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes.
All of the traditional Philly Cheesesteak toppings would taste great on these sandwiches. Try toppings like:
Sauteed mushrooms
Caramelized onions
Hot peppers
Cheddar cheese sauce
Cream cheese
Beef is the #1 choice for this recipe, since it’s the go-to for both Sloppy Joes and Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches. You could use ground chicken or turkey, but the flavor will be very different.
How to make Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef along with the chopped red onion and green bell pepper over medium high heat. Stir frequently to prevent scorching and to break up the beef really well. Cook it until the beef and vegetables are completely cooked through.
2. Using a whisk, combine the beef broth and cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk until there are no clumps in the mixture at all.
3. Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and beef broth/cornstarch mixture to the meat.
4. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the meat mixture has thickened up slightly. It will take about 3-5 minutes.
5. Once the meat mixture has thickened, take it off the heat and set it to the side. Replace the pan with a griddle or skillet so it can preheat.
6. Using a butter knife, butter both sides of the brioche hamburger buns. Place them, buttered side down, on the hot griddle or skillet and toast them until they’re golden brown.
7. Place the toasted buns buttered side up on a baking sheet and add a heaping spoonful of the sloppy joe mixture to the bottom of each one. Then, place a slice of the provolone cheese on top of the meat.
8. Once you’ve assembled all of the sandwiches, warm them under the oven broiler for a minute or two – just until the cheese has melted.
9. Place the top of each bun on top of the sandwiches and they’re ready to serve!
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1 cup beef broth
- 8 slices Provolone cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 6 Brioche Hamburger Buns
Instructions
- In a large skillet, add the ground beef, diced red onion and diced green bell pepper. Cook until the ground beef is browned and the onions and peppers are cooked through.
- In a small bowl, whisk the beef broth and cornstarch together.
- Add the beef broth/cornstarch mixture to the meat along with the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
- Cook on a medium setting until the meat mixture has thickened up slightly (around 3-5 minutes).
- Once the meat mixture has thickened, take it off the heat and set aside.
- Butter both sides of the brioche hamburger buns. Place them on a griddle or a hot skillet and toast the buttered sides until golden brown.
- Place a heaping spoonful of the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom of a toasted bun. Then place a slice of the provolone cheese on top.
- Assemble the bottoms of all 6 sandwiches this way and place them onto a baking sheet. Pop them under the oven broiler for a minute or until the cheese has melted.
- Place the top of the bun on top of each sandwich and serve!