These Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes blend juicy ground beef with a kick of A.1. and Worcestershire sauce, a touch of sweetness from ketchup, and the melt-in-your-mouth creaminess of Provolone cheese. It’s all held together by a buttery toasted brioche bun and makes a fun mash-up of two American faves!
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
The classic Philly cheesesteak and the all-American Sloppy Joe: two iconic American classics that both happen to be personal favorites of mine! And today we’re combining the savory flavors of a cheesesteak with the hearty, sauce-drenched charm of a Sloppy Joe. The result? A fusion recipe that’s nothing short of a flavor explosion – a Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe!
Imagine the meaty goodness of a cheesesteak and the saucy delight of a Sloppy Joe all piled onto a buttery toasted brioche bun. Yep, it’s as mouthwatering as it sounds! Get ready, because this is the sandwich mash-up you didn’t know you needed in your life!
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Ingredients
- Olive oil Choose extra virgin olive oil for a richer flavor.
- Yellow onion: Looking for a shortcut here? Many grocery stores stock diced yellow onions in the produce aisle. If you’re in a crunch, the frozen section often has diced onions ready to go. And if you’ve already got an onion, a food processor makes dicing onions a breeze.
- Green pepper: Similarly to the onion, you can often find diced peppers in the produce aisle or in the frozen section of the grocery store. OR: give this nifty veggie chopper a try!
- Ground beef: Choose fresh, pinkish-red ground beef without any grayish-brown areas. (Brown areas indicate older meat.) Remember, leaner beef will have less fat, but if you prefer a juicier Joe, you can opt for a slightly fattier mix.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper add nuance and flavor to the meat mixture. For an extra kick and smoky flavor, try smoked paprika!
- Minced garlic: Refrigerated minced garlic or garlic paste work great here!
Ingredients, Continued
- Steak sauce: This sauce adds depth to the dish and loads of flavor to these Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes. We love A.1. Steak Sauce® best! (A.1. is a trademarked brown sauce produced by Kraft-Heinz Foods.)
- Ketchup and Worcestershire Sauce: The ketchup brings a sweet tomato touch, while the Worcestershire introduces a rich umami and salty depth, both elevating the dish’s overall flavor profile.
- Beef bouillon (powder or cube): If you’re using cubes, make sure to crush them thoroughly for even distribution.
- Brioche buns: In my book, there’s nothing better than a good brioche bun paired with the saucy meat. We lightly butter and toast the buns to perfection, ensuring they remain crisp throughout your meal.
- Provolone cheese: While Provolone brings a gentle, creaminess to the joes and is a classic in cheesesteaks, feel free to use sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar for more flavor. Remember, high-quality cheese results in superior melt and flavor.
- Softened butter: Aim to soften your butter at room temperature for smooth spreading. Short on time? A few seconds in the microwave can help– just be careful not to melt it entirely.
Quick Tip
Beef bouillon, available in cubes, granules, or powder, is a dehydrated version of concentrated beef broth or stock. It serves as a quick flavor booster in recipes, imparting a distinct saltiness and depth to meaty sauces and mixtures.
How To Make Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes (Tips)
- Sauté veggies: Taking the time to thoroughly sauté the onions and peppers adds an extra layer of sweetness and depth to the dish and ensures you don’t have crunchy bites of veggies throughout the meat mixture.
- Toast to perfection: When toasting your buns, keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn. A light golden-brown crust is what you’re aiming for. The crispy exterior and soft interior make for the best possible texture!
- Stay saucy, not soggy: Ensure the meat mixture is saucy but not overly liquid-y. If there’s too much liquid, it can make your buns soggy. Cook down the mixture until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Taste and tweak: Once the meat mixture is ready, sample it and fine tune the flavors to your liking. Remember, the cheese and buns will mellow out the overall taste a bit, so make sure the meat sauce has a bold flavor!
- Serve hot: For the best experience, serve the sloppy joes right away. The melty cheese and warm meat filling contrast beautifully with the crispy toasted bun.
What To Serve With Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
- Classic potato chips: The crunch of chips is a great contrast to the soft, saucy texture of the sloppy joe. Any chips you enjoy will make a great side.
- Sweet potato fries or Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Their sweet flavor and crispy texture can provide a great counterbalance to the savory meat of the sandwich.
- Coleslaw: A tangy and crunchy Coleslaw can offer a refreshing contrast. Or try our fun twist on typical coleslaw — this Apple Coleslaw.
- Pickle spears: The tang and crunch of pickles offer a nice textural contrast.
- Green salad: Keep it light and fresh with a quick garden salad, Italian salad, or this favorite everyday salad.
- Grilled veggies: Think bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus drizzled with a touch of olive oil and some seasoning.
- Macaroni salad: A cold, creamy macaroni salad or this fun macaroni coleslaw salad complements the hot and saucy sandwich.
- Baked beans: A side of bacon-spiked smoky baked beans can boost the meaty flavors of your meal.
- Homemade beverage: To wash it all down, a refreshing drink like this Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade or Virgin Mojito can be the perfect accompaniment.
Storage
Only load meat onto the buns that will be eaten immediately. Assembled sandwiches become soggy quickly, but by storing the meat and buns separately, they’ll stay fresh and be perfect for future meals!
More Sandwich Favorites:
- BBQ Chicken Sandwich made in the slow cooker
- Our favorite Salmon Burgers with our fave Tzatziki sauce
- Green Chile Turkey Burgers with roasted green chiles
- English Muffin Sandwich with bacon
- French Dip Sandwich made in the slow cooker
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes combine juicy ground beef, a tangy-sweet sauce, and creamy provolone, all piled onto buttery toasted brioche buns. It’s the ultimate mash-up of two classics!
Equipment
- Large cast-iron pan
- large sheet pan,
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion finely diced, 1-1/2 cups, see note 1
- 1 large green pepper finely diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup A1 steak sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder or 1 large cube
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 brioche buns
- 6 slices Provolone cheese
- Softened butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a large, cast-iron pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and peppers, sautéing until golden, about 3–5 minutes. Push the veggies to the edges of the pan and add ground beef to the center. Allow the beef to sear briefly before crumbling it with a wooden spoon. As the beef browns, sprinkle the seasonings and minced garlic over it. Continue to cook and crumble the beef until fully browned.
- Mix in the steak sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, bouillon powder, and water. Reduce heat to medium-low, and let the mixture simmer. Continue simmering until the liquid has mostly evaporated but the mixture remains saucy, about 5 minutes. Taste the mixture and adjust seasonings, adding more salt if needed (see note 3).
- While the beef mixture is simmering, split the brioche buns in half and lay them cut side up on a large sheet pan. Spread a generous amount of softened butter on each half. Bake buns for 5 minutes or until nicely toasted. Then, remove from oven and set the tops aside.
- Divide the beef mixture equally among the toasted bun bottoms. Place a slice of Provolone cheese on top of each. Return them to the oven and bake 5–10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted. Once out of the oven, cap each sandwich with its bun top. Serve hot and enjoy!
Video
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Many grocery stores stock diced yellow onions in the produce aisle. Otherwise, a food processor will dice the onion and pepper quickly—or give this nifty veggie chopper a try!
Note 2: In my book, there’s nothing better than a good brioche bun when paired with this saucy meat mixture. Don’t skip lightly buttering and toasting the buns—this ensures they remain crisp throughout the meal, avoiding sogginess.
Note 3: Once the meat mixture is ready, sample it and fine tune the flavors to your liking. Remember, the cheese and buns will mellow out the overall taste a bit, so make sure the meat sauce has a bold flavor!
Storage: Only put meat onto buns that will be eaten immediately. Assembled sandwiches become soggy quickly, but storing the meat and buns separately will allow both to stay fresh.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 635kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 219mg | Sodium: 1020mg | Potassium: 461mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1208IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 230mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use tofu / soy sauce / vegetable broth / vegan cheese and butter i never had philly cheesesteak sloppy joes before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Can’t wait for you to try! Thanks Ramya! 🙂