Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

My take on Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes is inspired by the traditional Philly cheesesteak, but adapted to be both gluten-free and more affordable! A traditional Philly cheesesteak sandwich calls for ribeye steak to be cooked on a griddle and chopped into small pieces, then folded together with melty cheese. It’s served on a hoagie roll with or without onions.

This version is a mash-up between a sloppy joe, which has ground beef cooked in tomato sauce as its base, and a Philly cheesesteak. I’ve added bell peppers and onions to my recipe, just as your find in the steak shops in Philadelphia. And I rely on beef broth, ketchup, steak sauce, and Worcestershire sauce for ultra-savory flavor. Provolone cheese is a must in a nod to this sandwich’s cheesesteak roots. And it’s served on a gluten-free roll.

But the best part is that it’s hot, hearty, and topped with as much melted cheese as you can manage, perfect for a cold night’s dinner!

Why You’ll Love Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are a fun, classic sandwich. Here’s what I love about them:

• Easily gluten-free. This cheesesteak sloppy joes recipe is beyond easy to make gluten-free. In fact, every ingredient needed is gluten-free except for the rolls you’ll serve the filling on, and you can simply swap in gluten-free rolls. I even have a few gluten-free homemade rolls recipe for you to try, like my Gluten-Free Hawaiian Rolls or Gluten-Free Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls.
• Uncomplicated. If you’ve made sloppy joes before, you’ll know that they are not at all fussy. This recipe keeps to that same uncomplicated preparation method, so you can get dinner on the table quickly.
• Super versatile. Because this is an “inspired by” recipe, you have some wiggle room to make adaptations – try a different cheese, make this a vegetarian sandwich, or add more vegetables. You can even use the filling and serve it in endless ways other than on a bun. Just think about Philly Cheesesteak Nachos! And keep reading for even more creative ideas!

How to Make Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Follow along with my method below to make Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes:

• Cook the vegetables. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add onion and peppers and cook, stirring often, until softened and slightly translucent.
• Cook the beef. Push the vegetables out towards the sides of the pan and add the beef in the middle. Cook the ground beef until it is browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain and discard any excess grease.

• Cook the garlic. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper, and saute for a minute or two, just until you can smell the aroma og the garlic.
• Make the sauce. Whisk the cornstarch into the beef broth, then add to the skillet as well as the steak sauce, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook until heated through and thickened to nicely coat the meat and veggies, so it is no longer pooling in the pan.

• Add the cheese. Remove the pan from the heat and lay the cheese slices over the top of the meat mixture. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and let the cheese get melty and gooey.
• Enjoy. Spoon it into toasted buns and enjoy right away.

What to Serve Your Sloppy Joes On

While the traditional way to serve sloppy joes is to pile it on hamburger buns, this is actually one of my favorite flexible family meals because I can think outside the bun. That means we can have a meal we love more often, but always enjoy it in a different way. Or customize it if the family wants to use regular buns, but one person, like me, needs a gluten free option. Here are some ideas:

• Use other breads. Pile it on some crusty Gluten Free French Bread or your favorite sub rolls or brioche buns.
• Make sliders. For game day fare, try making mini sandwiches on gluten free Hawaiian rolls or dinner rolls.
• Stuff spuds. Go with meat and potatoes when you try Philly Cheesesteak Baked Potatoes or use baked sweet potatoes for a sweet and savory combo.
• Try tacos. Change up Taco Tuesday by spooning the Philly cheese steak filling into taco shells or gluten free tortillas.
• Make a casserole. Turn your cheesesteak into a comfort food casserole by using this filling in my Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole. Just pile it in a pan, top with tots and cheese, then bake till hot and golden.
• Load those fries. Yes, cook up some frozen French fries and pile the mixture on top for some seriously loaded fries! This turns it into fun game day food, like when you are watching the Eagles!

Tips for Success

Read on for a few tips on how to make the best-ever sloppy joes!

• Check the ingredient labels on the condiments. If you are keeping gluten-free, be sure to check the ingredients on the steak sauce and Worcestershire sauce you include in the filling to make sure they are gluten-free.
• Cook the onions thoroughly. It’s so important to make the onions are cooked enough – you definitely don’t want hard onions in your filling! Instead, you’ll want them to melt into the sauce, bringing flavor but never any crunch.
• Make sure the cornstarch is fully incorporated. To avoid any lumps from undissolved cornstarch, make sure to thoroughly whisk it into the broth. If you’re concerned about not being able to mix it in completely, you can sift the cornstarch over the liquid before whisking it in, which should help.
• Toast the buns. Toasting the buns will keep them nice and crisp, especially when they’re topped with a saucy filling. Plus, toasted bread always tastes so good.

FAQs for Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Can you make Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes ahead of time?

Yes! Cook the filling up to 2 or 3 days ahead of time, but hold off on adding the cheese. Sotre in the fridge, then reheat in a skillet, melting the cheese just before serving. If you’re meal prepping, keep the filling separate from the buns so they don’t get soggy.

Can you freeze Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes?


Yes, but freeze the filling before adding the cheese. Store it in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat, and then melt the cheese on top just before serving.

What cheese is best for Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes?


Provolone is the most classic choice because it melts beautifully and has a mild, creamy flavor. But you can swap in American, cheddar, or even Cheez Whiz for a real Philly twist. Use whatever cheese your family loves most!

Can I make this recipe gluten free?


Guess what – this filling is already naturally gluten free, as long as you ensure you use brands of steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth that are gluten free. Luckily, many common brands are, like A-1 Steak Sauce, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire (in the U.S., but do check in other countries), and Swanson broth. So just spoon it onto your favorite homemade or storebought gluten free rolls.

How do you thicken sloppy joe filling?


Cornstarch whisked into beef broth is the trick I use in this recipe for thickening without using flour to keep it gluten free. It makes the sauce perfectly coat the beef and veggies without being runny. If you prefer an even thicker filling, let it simmer for a few extra minutes.

Proper Storage

Your best bet is to store any leftover filling versus saving already-made sandwiches. This will just lead to soggy buns.

• Fridge – Place any leftover cheese steak sloppy joe filling in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Freezer – You can also freeze the mixture. However, if you are meal prepping to stock your freezer, you should freeze it before adding the cheese. Just transfer the meat mixture to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat – You can return the mixture to a skillet and warm it on the stove til hot and steaming, or microwave it. If you haven’t added the cheese, you can do that in the pan once it is warmed, or just add it to each individual sandwich.

Make It A Meal

I’ve outlined a few suggestions below for what to serve with your sandwich. You could also add a simple vegetable side, like Air Fryer Green Beans or Air Fryer Broccoli.

• Fries. Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes are practically begging to be paired with fresh French fries. Try my Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Truffle Fries, or Italian Herb Oven Fries recipes.
• Sweet potato fries. Herbs du Provence Sweet Potato Fries or Chili-Lime Baked Sweet Potato Home Fries would be very nice with these sandwiches.
• Salad. Serve cheesesteak sloppy joes with a fresh green salad topped with Italian Dressing or Strawberry Mango Avocado Salad.
• Soup. Soup and sandwiches go perfectly together, especially on cool nights. Some suggestions of soups to serve with these sloppy joes include my Cream of Mushroom Soup, Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup, and Butternut Squash Soup recipes.
• Coleslaw. I love a scoop of coleslaw next to a sandwich! My Hawaiian Pineapple Coleslaw or Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw would be great here.
• Fruit. Add a refreshing fruit salad to pair with a hearty hot sandwich. My Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad and Mango Berry Fruit Salad are good options.