Recipe Blog - Feature - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks

An Authentic Philly Cheesesteak Recipe for the BBQ

By: Andrea Alden

If you’ve lived in Philly or just passed through, both Pat’s and Jim’s are the place to be when it comes to getting the most authentic Philly Cheesesteak experience. If you live anywhere else, you’re not going to easily get that experience. Until now. Try this recipe on your barbecue for the best, most authentic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich you have ever tasted. 

There are a few elements that go into making an authentic Philly Cheesesteak. You need the right bun, something with a sturdy but soft outside and a fluffy and chewy inside. Italian long rolls generally fit the bill, however, a half-baguette with a softer outside crust can be just as good. There isn’t actually much that goes into making the filling for an authentic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich whether you make it on the BBQ or on a griddle. Seasoning is simple, salt and pepper, but you need to add liquid beef fat for that real huge hit of beefy goodness. Rendered suet will work beautifully here. You can always use something else, a high-quality oil with a high temperature tolerance, like peanut or avocado will do too. Surprisingly, you can use one of three cheeses for an authentic experience. Provolone is most prevalent; however American and cheese wiz are also used.  And finally, the onions. Just onions. No garlic, no peppers. These elements combine in a delightful dance that will make your mouth water and your tongue tickle.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Yield
4
Difficulty
Easy

An Authentic Philly Cheesesteak Recipe for the BBQ

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Ingredients

Method

Photos

Ingredients

1½ lbs.

Philly Beef Steak Sandwich Slices * see notes

4 tbsp.

rendered beef fat or peanut oil *see notes

1 large

onion, diced

12 slices

provolone cheese

4

long buns, preferably Amoroso

Salt and pepper to taste

Method
  1. Dice the onions and give the beef a rough chop. 
  2. Replace one set of cooking grids with the Cast Iron Griddle and place a cast iron frying pan onto the other grids. Preheat the grill, all burners, to medium-low – 375°F or so – you will be cooking with the lid up for the most part but need the cast to be warm.
  3. Begin by adding 2 tbsp. of beef fat to the cast iron frying pan and getting the onions cooking. You want to caramelize them, though you don’t want to go too slowly, your goal is to have them golden but still a little firm. Salt them lightly while frying to help this process along. Once the onions are done, remove them from the grill. 
  4. While the onions are caramelizing slice the buns nearly through and open them up. Butter the buns and have them ready along with the cheese.
  5. Brush the remaining beef fat onto the cast iron griddle. Add the beef. Salt, and pepper to taste. You want to quickly cook the red out of the meat. Don’t leave it on too long as the beef will dry out if overcooked. 
  6. As soon as the beef has been turned a couple of times and nearly all of the red is gone, add the onions. 
  7. Move the meat and onions into piles big enough to fill the buns, if your griddle isn’t big enough for more than one or two piles, move the rest of the meat and onions to the side or into the cast iron frying pan to wait. Layer the provolone on top of the meat piles and close the grill lid for a couple minutes until the cheese has melted. 
  8. Place a buttered bun over the cheesy meat and use a spatula to help you flip over the fillings inside the bun. The extra-long spatula from the Napoleon Breakfast Toolset is ideal for this.
  9. Top the cheesesteak with your favorite toppings or leave it plain and serve with your favorite sides like fries, potato chips, or roasted hot peppers.

Notes: If you can’t get your hands on Philly Beef Steak call up a local butcher for some chuck eye beef cut shabu shabu style. They’ll need a little notice but will be happy to help. Asian supermarkets are also a great place to find shabu shabu sliced beef as hot pot is a very popular dish and the thin slices are ideal for Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks.

Rendered beef fat may not be an easy find. You can make your own by purchasing suet (solid beef fat) from your local butcher. Finely chop and slowly melt it in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Strain the crackling – brown bits – out through a cheesecloth and store in the fridge for up to a year, the freezer for two. 

Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks on the BBQ are a great weeknight meal for the whole family. Fun, easy, and delicious. Do you have a special dish that is super authentic? Share your best authentic BBQ recipes and photos on our social pages like Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtags #AuthenticRecipe, #NapoleonEats and #NapoleonGrill.

Happy Grilling!

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - ingredients

Dice the onions and beef, salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - Beef

Caramelize the onions then cook the beef using the beef fat

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - onions

Add the onions to the nearly cooked beef

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - Cheese

Divide the meat and top with cheese

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - sandwich

Use a long spatula under the meat, place the open bun over the meat and cheese, then flip them up together

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - serve1

Serve with fries or chips

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - serve2

Top with hot sauce, mayo, or your favorite condiment

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - serve3

Lookin' tasty

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - aftermath

Will you be making these tonight?

AndreaAlden
Andrea Alden

I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.

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Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - ingredients

Dice the onions and beef, salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - Beef

Caramelize the onions then cook the beef using the beef fat

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - onions

Add the onions to the nearly cooked beef

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - Cheese

Divide the meat and top with cheese

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - sandwich

Use a long spatula under the meat, place the open bun over the meat and cheese, then flip them up together

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - serve1

Serve with fries or chips

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - serve2

Top with hot sauce, mayo, or your favorite condiment

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - serve3

Lookin' tasty

Recipe Blog - Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks - aftermath

Will you be making these tonight?