If you’re craving a delicious, mouthwatering Philly steak but don’t have a grill, don’t worry! You can easily cook it on your stove and achieve the same mouthwatering results. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps on how to cook Philly steak on the stove.
Philly steak, also known as Philly cheese steak, is a popular sandwich made with thinly sliced steak, melted cheese, and sautéed onions. It originated in Philadelphia and has become a beloved comfort food for many. Traditionally, the steak is cooked on a hot grill to achieve that unmistakable smoky flavor. However, with a few simple steps, you can recreate that deliciousness right in your own kitchen.
To start, you’ll need a few key ingredients: a good cut of steak, preferably ribeye or striploin, a large onion, a green pepper, provolone or American cheese, and hoagie rolls. The key to a great Philly steak on the stove is thinly sliced steak, so make sure to ask your butcher to slice it for you or use a sharp knife to slice it yourself.
Pro tip: For an even easier cooking process, you can also find pre-sliced steak at your local grocery store.
Preparing the ingredients
Before you start cooking your Philly steak on the stove, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and have them prepared properly. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients | Quantity |
Thinly-sliced beef steak | 1 pound |
Green bell pepper | 1 |
White onion | 1 |
Provolone cheese | 4 slices |
Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
Salt | To taste |
Black pepper | To taste |
Garlic powder | To taste |
Hoagie rolls | 4 |
Thinly slice the beef steak, ensuring that the slices are about 1/8 inch thick. Slice the green bell pepper and white onion into thin strips. Set aside the provolone cheese slices for later use.
Once all the ingredients are prepared, you’re ready to move on to the next step: cooking the Philly steak on the stove!
Marinating the steak
Marinating the steak is an important step to infuse it with flavor and make it tender. Follow these steps to marinate your Philly steak:
- Place the steak in a large ziplock bag or a shallow dish.
- In a bowl, combine your choice of marinade ingredients. This could include Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you prefer.
- Pour the marinade mixture over the steak, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- During this time, you can occasionally flip the steak or gently massage the marinade into the meat to ensure even distribution.
Remember to discard any leftover marinade that has come into contact with raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
Marinating the steak will enhance its taste and texture, resulting in a delicious Philly steak when cooked on the stove.
Preheating the stove
Before you start cooking your Philly steak on the stove, it’s important to preheat it properly. This will ensure that your steak cooks evenly and to the desired temperature.
Follow these steps to preheat your stove:
Step 1: Clean the stove
Make sure your stove is clean and free from any debris or spills. A clean stove will heat up more efficiently.
Step 2: Turn on the stove
Turn the stove on to medium-high heat. This will allow for a good sear on your steak. If your stove has specific temperature settings, set it to 350-400°F (175-200°C).
Step 3: Preheat the skillet or frying pan
Place a cast iron skillet or frying pan on the preheated stove. Let the skillet or pan heat up for a few minutes to ensure it reaches the desired temperature.
Using a cast iron skillet or frying pan is recommended as they distribute heat evenly and retain heat well, which will help you achieve the perfect sear on your Philly steak.
Make sure to use oven mitts or pot holders when handling the hot skillet or frying pan.
By properly preheating your stove, you’ll be one step closer to cooking a delicious Philly steak on the stove!
Cooking the steak
To cook the Philly steak on the stove, follow these steps:
1. Preparing the steak
Start by slicing the steak into thin strips against the grain. This will ensure that the steak is tender and easy to chew.
2. Preheating the skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and let it preheat for a few minutes. You want the skillet to be hot before adding the steak.
3. Seasoning the steak
Season the steak with salt, pepper, and any other preferred seasonings. You can also marinate the steak in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and herbs for added flavor.
4. Cooking the steak
Add a drizzle of oil to the preheated skillet, then add the sliced steak. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the steak is browned and cooked to your desired level of doneness.
5. Adding the onions and peppers
If desired, you can also cook sliced onions and bell peppers in the same skillet alongside the steak. This will add extra flavor and create a classic Philly steak experience.
6. Toasting the bread
While the steak is cooking, toast your preferred type of bread. Traditionally, a soft Italian roll or hoagie roll is used for Philly steak sandwiches.
7. Assembling the sandwich
Once the steak is cooked and the bread is toasted, place the cooked steak, onions, and peppers onto the bottom half of the bread. Top with cheese, such as provolone or American cheese.
8. Melting the cheese
Place the assembled sandwich under the broiler for a few minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Serving the Philly steak sandwich
Remove the sandwich from the broiler and place the top half of the toasted bread on top. Cut the sandwich in half and serve hot. You can also add condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, or hot sauce, if desired.
Enjoy your homemade Philly steak sandwich!
Searing the onions and peppers
Once the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the skillet and set it aside to rest. In the same skillet, add sliced onions and bell peppers. Cook them over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelized and slightly charred.
Steps:
- Heat the skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add a drizzle of oil to the skillet and let it heat up.
- Place the sliced onions and bell peppers in the skillet.
- Allow them to cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Continue cooking until the onions are caramelized and the peppers are slightly charred.
Searing the onions and peppers adds flavor and texture to the Philly steak. The caramelization of the onions brings out their natural sweetness, while the slight charring of the peppers adds a smoky element. Make sure to stir the onions and peppers occasionally to prevent them from burning.
Once the onions are caramelized and the peppers are slightly charred, you can remove them from the skillet and set them aside. They will be added back to the skillet later when assembling the Philly steak.
Assembling the Philly Steak
After your steak is cooked to perfection, it’s time to assemble your Philly steak sandwich. Follow these steps to create the ultimate mouthwatering sandwich:
- Start by slicing your baguette or roll in half horizontally. If desired, you can lightly toast the bread to add a crispy texture to your sandwich.
- Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on the bottom half of the bread. This will help to keep your sandwich moist.
- Place a layer of the cooked steak on top of the mayonnaise. Make sure to distribute the steak evenly across the bread.
- Next, add your choice of cheese on top of the steak. While provolone is the traditional choice for a Philly steak sandwich, you can also experiment with other types of cheese such as American or Swiss.
- If desired, you can add some sautéed onions and peppers on top of the cheese. This will add a burst of flavor to your sandwich.
- Finally, place the top half of the bread on top of the assembled ingredients to complete the sandwich.
Once your sandwich is assembled, you can choose to wrap it in foil and bake it in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese and warm it up. Alternatively, you can enjoy your Philly steak sandwich cold if you prefer.
Now that your Philly steak sandwich is assembled, it’s time to dig in! Serve it with a side of fries, coleslaw, or your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious and satisfying meal.
FAQ
What ingredients do I need to cook Philly steak on the stove?
To cook Philly steak on the stove, you will need thinly sliced beef, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, cheese slices, hoagie rolls, vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
How do I thinly slice the beef for Philly steak?
To thinly slice the beef for Philly steak, place the beef in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm it up. Then, use a sharp knife to slice the partially frozen beef into thin slices against the grain.
Can I use a different type of meat instead of beef for Philly steak?
Yes, you can use different types of meat instead of beef for Philly steak. Some popular alternatives include chicken, turkey, or even vegetarian options like seitan or portobello mushrooms.
How long does it take to cook Philly steak on the stove?
Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the meat and personal preference. Generally, it takes about 5-7 minutes to cook the thinly sliced beef on the stove. However, it’s important to cook until the meat is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
What can I serve with Philly steak?
Philly steak is traditionally served in a hoagie roll, but you can also serve it over rice, in a salad, or on its own as a main dish. Some popular accompaniments include fries, coleslaw, or a side of pickles.
What is Philly steak?
Philly steak, also known as Philadelphia cheesesteak, is a popular sandwich made with thinly sliced beefsteak, melted cheese, and sautéed onions. It originated in Philadelphia and has become a beloved food across the United States.
Can I cook Philly steak on a stove?
Yes, you can cook Philly steak on a stove. In fact, cooking it on a stove is one of the easiest and most common ways to prepare this dish. All you need is a skillet or a frying pan and a few simple ingredients.