There’s something wildly satisfying about biting into warm, cheesy, meaty Philadelphia cheese steak sliders—especially when you’ve made it at home without a flattop griddle, deli slicer, or pricey rib eye. I set out to recreate this iconic sandwich in slider form, using simple tools and smart substitutions that make it accessible for two.

Bringing cheesesteaks home meant figuring out a way to mimic those whisper-thin slivers of juicy steak and the melt-in-your-mouth experience without breaking the bank. Turns out, all you need is a freezer, a cast iron skillet, and one very sharp knife.
A Philly Classic, Reimagined for the Home Cook
There’s a reason the Philadelphia cheese steak has reached cult status—it’s indulgent, flavorful, and hits all the right comfort food notes. But making an entire sandwich can sometimes feel like overkill for a weeknight dinner for two. That’s where steak sliders come in.
I’ve slimmed down the portion, amped up the practicality, and kept every ounce of deliciousness. These cheese steak sliders on King’s Hawaiian rolls bring the iconic flavors of Philly to your kitchen table in a simple, weeknight-friendly format. No special equipment required, just solid ingredients and a skillet.
Jump to:
- A Philly Classic, Reimagined for the Home Cook
- What’s the Best Steak for Cheese Steak Sliders?
- Best Cheese for Steak Sliders
- Best Buns for Cheese Steak Sliders
- How to Slice Steak Razor Thin Tips
- How to Cook Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sliders in a Cast Iron Skillet
- Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
- How to Store and Reheat Steak Sliders
- Related
- Pairing
- Small-Batch Grilling for Big Flavor
What’s the Best Steak for Cheese Steak Sliders?
Classic cheesesteaks use rib eye, but I found that flank steak or skirt steak delivers a similar flavor and texture for a fraction of the cost. Flank’s thin, open-grained structure makes it ideal for slicing—especially when partially frozen.
- Pro tip: Freeze your flank steak for 45 minutes to an hour. This firms it up just enough to allow razor-thin slicing.
- Always slice against the grain for tenderness.
- For ease in future meals, freeze flank steak in ½-pound portions—perfect for steak sliders for two.
Seasoning? Keep it classic: just salt and pepper. The cheese and veggies bring all the richness you need.
Best Cheese for Steak Sliders
In Philly, cheese choice is practically a personality test. For Philadelphia cheese steak sliders, we want meltability and punch:
- Pepper Jack adds creaminess and a tiny kick.
- White American or Provolone offer mild, classic cheesesteak vibes.
- A touch of Parmesan cheese stirred into the filling enhances the overall flavor.
Mix and match if you're feeling bold. The cheese is your glue—don’t skimp.
Best Buns for Cheese Steak Sliders
Say hello to King’s Hawaiian rolls, the soft, slightly sweet MVP of slider buns. The good news? They now come in 4-packs, making them ideal for two-person meals. Their pillowy texture holds up well to the juicy steak filling without falling apart.
To give them structure, lightly toast them in the oven before piling on the steak and cheese mixture.
How to Slice Steak Razor Thin Tips
- Start with flank steak that’s been in the freezer for about an hour.
- Use your sharpest chef’s knife to slice across the grain into thin strips.
- Don’t worry about perfection. After slicing, roughly chop the strips 10–20 times for a more traditional chopped Philly texture.
How to Cook Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sliders in a Cast Iron Skillet
This method recreates the heat and sear of a wide griddle on your stovetop.
Step 1 | Toast the rolls
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Split and place rolls on a baking sheet; toast until lightly golden—5 to 7 minutes.
Step 2 | Sear the Steak
Heat oil and ghee (it has a high heat point and is less likely to brown or burn than butter) in a cast iron skillet over high until smoking. Add thinly sliced steak in an even layer.
Let it sear undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until you begin to see the sides touching the skillet pan have begin to brown.
Step 3 | Add the Veggies
Stir in sliced onions and peppers. Cook until veggies are soft and steak is just cooked through, about 4–5 minutes
Step 4 | Season and Add Cheese
Sprinkle in salt and pepper, a bit of grated Parmesan, and a few dashes of hot sauce (if using).
Layer slices of cheese over top and reduce heat to medium. Let it melt, then fold everything together.
Step 5 | Assemble Sliders
Spoon the hot, cheesy steak mixture into the toasted Hawaiian rolls and serve immediately.
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Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 Ounces of flank steak
- 4 King’s Hawaiian Rolls
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon ghee or unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup of yellow onion thinly sliced, 2-inches long
- ½ cup of red bell pepper thinly sliced, 2-inches long
- ½ cup yellow bell pepper thinly sliced, 2-inches long
- ⅛ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 slices provolone American, or pepper jack cheese
- Hot sauce optional
Instructions
- Freeze Steak: Place flank steak on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour.
- Toast Rolls: Preheat oven to 400°F. Split and toast rolls until lightly golden.
- Slice Steak: Thinly slice steak across the grain. Rough chop 10–20 times.
- Cook Steak: Heat oil and ghee or butter in a 10-inch hot cast iron skillet. Sear steak undisturbed for 2–3 minutes, until meat touching the pan begins to brown.
- Add Veggies: Stir in onions and peppers. Cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cheese It Up: Season with salt and pepper and hot sauce. Add Parmesan and lay cheese slices on top. Let melt, then stir everything together.
- Assemble: Fill toasted rolls with hot steak mixture. Serve immediately.
Your Notes, Tips and Tricks
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
How to Store and Reheat Steak Sliders
To avoid soggy buns, store the steak filling and rolls separately.
- Refrigerate the filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
- Toast the rolls again briefly in the oven, then assemble fresh sliders.
These make fantastic leftovers—just as melty, just as indulgent.
Related
Looking for other slider and sandwich recipes for two like this? Try these:
- Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Sauce Sliders
- Mississippi Pot Roast Sliders
- Asian Pork Sliders
- Maple Glazed Pork Sliders
- Slowcooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders and Slaw
- Mississippi Pot Roast Sliders
- Jamaican Beef Patties with Cheese
- Korean Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
- Coronation Chicken Salad Sandwich (or Wrap!)
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls:
Fire up the grill!
Small-Batch Grilling for Big Flavor
From smoky skewers to flame-kissed mains, these recipes are built for two and perfect for easy summer nights.
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