Philly Cheesesteak Sliders Recipe

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Philly Cheesesteak Sliders bring together thinly sliced onion and green pepper, sautéed in olive oil until soft, then combined with freshly shaved steak, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, and a sprinkle of garlic powder for extra flavor. Everything gets piled onto a pack of sweet bread buns, layered with provolone cheese, and brushed with a mixture of melted butter, dried thyme, and a bit more Worcestershire sauce before baking. This recipe makes 12 sliders in about 20 minutes, so give it a try for your next gathering or quick lunch.

What Makes These Philly Cheese Steak Sliders So Flavorful

These sliders bring together shaved steak, sautéed onion and green pepper, and melted provolone cheese, all tucked between sweet bread buns for a filling that is easy to make and just as easy to devour.

Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder season the steak right in the pan as it cooks, giving the meat a deep, savory taste that pairs well with the softened onion and green pepper.

Before baking, a butter and dried thyme mixture gets brushed over the top of the buns, adding richness and a light herbal note to every slider.

Give this recipe a try and see how the buns turn a deep golden color as they bake, with the provolone melting fully over the steak, onion, and green pepper mixture underneath.

Ingredient Notes

• Freshly Shaved Steak. Look for freshly shaved steak at the meat counter or in the packaged meat section, since it cooks quickly and evenly for these sliders. You can use different types of thinly sliced meat instead of steak if you prefer.
• Onion and Green Pepper. A large onion and a large green pepper, both thinly sliced, get sautéed in olive oil until softened before joining the steak in the pan. Their crisp texture gives the filling some contrast against the meat and cheese.
• Worcestershire Sauce and Garlic Powder. Worcestershire sauce is used twice, once stirred into the steak while it cooks and again in the butter mixture brushed over the buns, while garlic powder seasons the steak along with salt and pepper to taste.
• Provolone Cheese. Six slices of provolone melt over the steak for a classic cheesesteak flavor. Mozzarella or cheddar can be swapped in if provolone is not on hand.
• Sweet Bread Buns. A 12 pack of sweet bread buns holds the steak and cheese filling and gets sliced in half horizontally while staying intact.
• Melted Butter and Dried Thyme. Melted butter combined with dried thyme, not ground, is brushed over the top of the buns before baking for extra flavor and a golden finish.
• Olive Oil. Olive oil is used to sauté the onion and green pepper at the start of the recipe, keeping them from sticking to the pan as they soften. It plays a similar role in our Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla Recipe, another way to use the same shaved steak and cheese combo. We lean on the same ingredient in our Bread Machine Jalapeno Cheddar Bread.

Adding Extra Vegetables

• Add More Bell Pepper. Toss in an extra bell pepper along with the onion and green pepper while sautéing, so every slider gets a bigger bite of vegetables.
• Mix In Bell Pepper Colors. Use a mix of red, yellow, or orange bell pepper alongside the green pepper for extra color in the filling.
• Add Sliced Mushrooms. Sauté sliced mushrooms in with the onion and green pepper until softened, then add them to the steak mixture as usual.
• Stir In Extra Onion. Add a second onion to the pan if you like a heavier onion flavor, cooking it alongside the green pepper until soft before adding the steak.

How To Make Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

STEP 1 – Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) so it is ready to go once the sliders are assembled.

STEP 2 – Drizzle 15g of olive oil into a large pan and add the thinly sliced onion and green pepper, letting them cook on medium-high heat until soft.

STEP 3 – Add the 227g of freshly shaved steak to the pan along with 15g of Worcestershire sauce, 2.5g of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste, cooking until the steak is no longer pink.

STEP 4 – Slice the pack of sweet bread buns in half horizontally, keeping the buns connected, and lay them on a baking sheet.

STEP 5 – Spread the steak mixture evenly over the bottom half of the buns.

STEP 6 – Layer the 6 slices of provolone cheese over the steak.

STEP 7 – Place the top half of the buns over the cheese, then brush a mixture of 15g melted butter, 5g dried thyme, and 2.5g Worcestershire sauce over the tops.

STEP 8 – Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the sliders turn golden and the cheese is melted, then serve.

Now, take your sweet rolls and slice them as one big family, placing them on a baking sheet, ready to be loaded with the steak mixture. A half sheet pan fits a full tray of sliders without crowding them. Spread the steak, onions, and peppers evenly on the bottom half, and let the provolone cheese blanket them with love and warmth. Crown them with the top half of the buns, and prepare a luscious mixture of melted butter, dried thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Brush this golden concoction generously over the buns, sending them off to bask in the oven for 17-20 minutes. Once golden and melty, bring them out, and let the feast begin!

Notes on Making Philly Cheese Steak Sliders

• Feel free to substitute the provolone with your preferred cheese to add your personal touch to the Philly Cheesesteak Sliders.
• If you find your melted butter mixture thickening, gently reheat it to attain the perfect brushable consistency.
• For a zesty twist, consider adding a splash of hot sauce to the steak as it cooks.

Troubleshooting: Butter Mixture Consistency

• Butter Mixture Too Thick. If the melted butter, dried thyme, and Worcestershire sauce mixture starts to firm up before you brush it on the buns, gently reheat it until it thins back out to a brushable consistency.
• Butter Cools Too Fast. Butter can cool and thicken quickly once it sits, so brush it over the buns soon after mixing rather than letting it wait on the counter.
• Uneven Brushing. A thickened mixture tends to sit in clumps instead of spreading evenly, so warm it first and use a light hand so the thyme and butter reach the whole top of the buns.
• Mixture Separating. If the melted butter and Worcestershire sauce look separated, a quick stir after reheating brings the mixture back together before you brush it on.

Tips for the Best Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

• Use a Large Skillet. A large cooking pan or skillet gives the onion, green pepper, and steak enough room to cook evenly on medium-high heat.
• Keep the Buns Intact. Slice the pack of sweet bread buns in half horizontally while keeping the buns united, so the sliders hold together as one tray.
• Reheat a Thickened Butter Mixture. If the melted butter mixture starts to thicken before brushing, gently reheat it to get a smooth, brushable consistency.
• Cook the Steak Fully. Make sure the shaved steak is fully cooked in the pan with the onion, green pepper, and seasonings before assembling the sliders.
• Watch the Bake Time. Bake the sliders for 17-20 minutes at 400°F (204°C), or until they turn golden and the cheese is melted.
• Try a Similar Sheet Pan Recipe. If you like easy oven bakes, Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Thighs (Easy Dinner) is another simple oven dinner to try.

Make-Ahead and Leftovers

• Store Leftovers Properly. Put any leftover sliders in a closed container and keep them in the fridge.
• Use Within a Few Days. Cooked leftovers are good for 3 to 4 days when kept refrigerated.
• Reheat in the Oven. Warm the sliders in the oven until the cheese melts and the buns heat through, instead of using the microwave.
• Assemble Ahead of Time. You can sauté the onion and green pepper and cook the steak in advance, then assemble and bake the sliders when you are ready to serve them.

Variations and Substitutions

• Different Cheese. Provolone is the classic choice here, but mozzarella, cheddar, or another melty cheese works just as well in this recipe.
• Different Meat. You can use another type of thinly sliced meat in place of the shaved steak, and the sliders will still bake up the same way.
• Add Hot Sauce. Stir a splash of hot sauce into the steak as it cooks for a spicier version of the sliders.

What to Serve With Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

These sliders work well as an appetizer for gatherings, game day spreads, or a quick lunch, and the recipe makes 12 sliders so there is plenty to share.

Pair them with something light and crunchy to balance the rich steak and melted cheese, such as a Creamy Coleslaw on the side.

If you enjoy the cheesesteak flavor combination, you may also want to give the Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla Recipe a try for another way to serve it.

FAQ:

Frequently Asked Questions

More Side Dish Ideas for Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

A few more easy sides round out the plate. Crunchy or salty options complement the rich steak and melted cheese nicely: chips make an easy no-cook option, and onion rings or sweet potato fries add a crisp bite alongside the sliders.

Tater tots are a heartier pick if you want something more filling on the side.

When to Serve Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

These sliders are ideal for game day, tailgating, family dinner, Slider Sunday, and birthday parties, since a tray of 12 is easy to prepare ahead and holds up well next to other food on the table.

The buns and melted provolone make them appealing to a crowd of different tastes, letting everyone grab one without much fuss.