Slow Cooker Philly Steak Sandwich Recipe

Beef sirloin: Thinly sliced for tenderness and quick cooking.

Green bell pepper: Adds a fresh, slightly bitter flavor.

Red bell pepper: Provides a sweet and vibrant contrast.

Onion: Sliced to bring a mild, sweet taste.

Garlic: Minced to enhance the overall flavor.

Beef broth: Adds depth and moisture to the beef mixture.

Worcestershire sauce: Brings a tangy, umami richness.

Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing flavors.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity.

Hoagie rolls: The perfect vessel for holding the juicy filling.

Provolone cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a creamy texture.

To enhance the flavor of your beef sirloin, consider searing it in a hot pan before placing it in the slow cooker. This will create a caramelized crust that adds depth to the overall taste. Additionally, when slicing the bell peppers and onion, aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. For an extra layer of flavor, toast the hoagie rolls lightly before adding the provolone cheese and beef mixture. This will give your sandwiches a delightful crunch.

• beef sirloin - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast is lean and absorbs flavors well, making it a good alternative for a lighter version of the sandwich.

• green bell pepper - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblano peppers offer a mild heat and a slightly smoky flavor, adding a different dimension to the sandwich.

• red bell pepper - Substitute with yellow bell pepper: Yellow bell peppers are equally sweet and colorful, providing a similar taste and visual appeal.

• large onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can add a subtle complexity to the dish.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic for convenience, though it may lack the same depth of flavor.

• beef broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a good alternative for a vegetarian version of the sandwich, maintaining the savory liquid component.

• worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a similar umami flavor, though it is slightly saltier and less complex.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add both saltiness and umami, reducing the need for additional salt.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to maintain the peppery taste without altering the color of the dish.

• hoagie rolls - Substitute with ciabatta rolls: Ciabatta rolls have a similar texture and can hold up well to the fillings, offering a slightly different flavor profile.

• provolone cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts well and has a mild flavor, making it a suitable alternative to provolone.

• Allow the beef mixture to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the hoagie rolls soggy.
• Transfer the cooled beef mixture into an airtight container. For best results, use a container that fits the amount of food snugly to minimize air exposure.
• Store the beef mixture in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
• If you plan to freeze the beef mixture, place it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the container or bag with the date and contents. The beef mixture can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
• When ready to use, thaw the beef mixture in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor.
• To reheat, place the beef mixture in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between.
• For the hoagie rolls, store them in a bread box or airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to store them longer, wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month.
• When ready to assemble the sandwiches, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Open the thawed hoagie rolls and place a slice of provolone cheese on each side.
• Fill each roll with the reheated beef mixture and top with another slice of provolone cheese. Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• For the best results, reheat the beef mixture separately from the hoagie rolls to maintain the texture and flavor.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the beef mixture in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until warmed evenly.
  4. Warm the hoagie rolls separately for about 15-20 seconds to soften.
  5. Assemble the sandwich with provolone cheese and microwave for an additional 20-30 seconds to melt the cheese.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the beef mixture in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil.
  3. Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
  4. Open the hoagie rolls and place a slice of provolone cheese on each side.
  5. Fill each roll with the warmed beef mixture and top with another slice of provolone cheese.
  6. Place the assembled sandwiches on a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the beef mixture to the skillet and stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. While the beef mixture is heating, lightly toast the hoagie rolls in another pan or in a toaster.
  4. Assemble the sandwich with provolone cheese and place it back in the skillet. Cover with a lid to help the cheese melt, about 1-2 minutes.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the beef mixture in an air fryer-safe dish and cover with foil.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Open the hoagie rolls and place a slice of provolone cheese on each side.
  5. Fill each roll with the warmed beef mixture and top with another slice of provolone cheese.
  6. Place the assembled sandwiches back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bread is slightly crispy.

• Slow cooker: Used to cook the beef, bell peppers, onion, and garlic slowly to enhance flavors and tenderness.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the beef, bell peppers, and onion.

• Chef's knife: Essential for thinly slicing the beef sirloin and vegetables.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves efficiently.

• Measuring cup: Used to measure the beef broth accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper.

• Oven: Preheated to 350°F (175°C) for melting the cheese on the sandwiches.

• Baking sheet: Holds the sandwiches while they bake in the oven.

• Tongs: Useful for filling the hoagie rolls with the beef mixture.

• Spatula: Helps in spreading the beef mixture evenly in the hoagie rolls.

• Serving platter: Ideal for presenting the finished Philly steak sandwiches.

Pre-slice ingredients: Buy pre-sliced beef sirloin, bell peppers, and onion to save prep time.

Use garlic paste: Substitute minced garlic with garlic paste for quicker preparation.

Slow cooker liners: Use slow cooker liners for easy cleanup.

Preheat oven early: Preheat the oven while the slow cooker is finishing to save time.

Assemble ahead: Prepare hoagie rolls with provolone cheese in advance and store in the fridge.