old neighborhood beef shaved steak recipes

Beef shaved steak, also known as Philly cheesesteak or Italian beef, is a sandwich made from thinly sliced beef and melted cheese. It originated in Philadelphia and became popular in old neighborhoods across America. This hearty sandwich is perfect for feeding a crowd or satisfying a big appetite. Read on to learn all about making delicious old neighborhood-style beef shaved steak recipes at home!

While the exact origins are debated, most food historians agree that the Philly cheesesteak sandwich was invented in the early 1900s in Philadelphia, PA. Several hot dog vendors claim to have been the first to put sliced beef and melted cheese on a roll. The popular mixture quickly caught on in the working-class neighborhoods of South Philly. Italian immigrants later added marinated beef to create the Italian beef sandwich. These classic shaved steak sandwiches became staple meals in old neighborhoods across America.

The key to authentic shaved steak is thinly slicing top round or ribeye steak while it's partially frozen. This allows the meat to be cut into delicate, melt-in-your-mouth slices. High-quality ingredients like fresh, crusty rolls, provolone cheese, and sautéed onions and peppers completed the classic sandwich.

There are many delicious varieties of old neighborhood-style beef shaved steak recipes to make at home. Here are some of the most popular and traditional ways to prepare these sandwiches:

This iconic sandwich features thinly sliced beef, melted cheese, and sautéed onions on a long roll. Locals in Philly enjoy provolone or Cheese Whiz on their cheesesteaks. Load up the toasted roll with meat and top with cheese so it melts into the beef. The melted cheese is key for authentic cheesesteak flavor!

For Italian beef sandwiches, the shaved steak gets soaked in a zesty blend of broth, olive oil, garlic, and Italian spices. The thin slices of tender, seasoned beef are piled high on a crusty roll. Giardiniera, a spicy vegetable mix, provides a tangy crunch. Oozy mozzarella cheese is the perfect Italian beef accompaniment.

For an easy homemade sandwich, season roast beef with salt and pepper and roast until medium rare. Let it rest, then slice it thinly against the grain. Pile the tender meat onto a roll slathered with mayo or horseradish sauce. Top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion for a delicious hot roast beef sandwich.

For French dip sandwiches, season roast beef with herbs and sear it whole. Slice the rested roast beef and layer it on a crusty baguette. Serve au jus for dipping each savory bite of beef and melted Swiss cheese. Caramelized onions add another layer of sweet flavor.

This old neighborhood specialty hero features seasoned shaved steak dipped in jus and piled with peppers on a fresh Italian roll. To make this iconic sandwich at home, follow these steps:

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds top round roast
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 Italian bread rolls, split
• 8 slices provolone cheese
• Thinly sliced green bell peppers

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together broth, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2. Add roast and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 325°F.
4. Transfer roast and marinade to a roasting pan. Roast for 2 hours until very tender.
5. Remove roast from oven and let rest 15 minutes before thinly slicing against the grain.
6. Return sliced beef to the pan juices and keep warm over low heat.
7. Preheat broiler. Place roll halves on a baking sheet and top with provolone. Broil until melted.
8. Using a slotted spoon, pile beef generously on each roll half. Top with bell peppers. Pour jus from pan into dipping cups for drizzling.

With this easy recipe, you can enjoy delicious classic Italian beef sandwiches just like in the old neighborhoods. The zesty seasoned jus takes the shaved steak to the next level. Enjoy!

For a speedy homemade cheesesteak, follow this simple stovetop method. You'll get all that cheesy meaty flavor without the work!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 pound thinly sliced steak
• 4 hoagie rolls, split and toasted
• 4 slices provolone cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook 5 minutes until soft.
3. Push veggies to sides of pan. Add steak in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Cook steak 2 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
5. Pile steak and veggies into each roll. Top with a slice of cheese.
6. Place open-faced sandwiches under broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until cheese melts.
7. Top sandwiches and serve warm.

In 20 minutes, you can enjoy cheesy meaty cheesesteak sandwiches straight from the comfort of home. Adjust amounts of meat and veggies to feed a crowd!

For a lighter take, try this easy air fryer cheesesteak recipe. Crisp the bread and meat without all the greasy fat for a healthier sandwich.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sliced onion
• 1 cup sliced bell pepper
• 1 pound very thinly sliced steak
• 2 tablespoons steak seasoning
• 4 hoagie rolls, split
• 8 slices provolone cheese
• Olive oil spray

Steps:

1. Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
2. In a bowl, toss sliced steak with steak seasoning.
3. Spray onions, peppers, and steak lightly with olive oil spray.
4. Place veggies in air fryer and cook 5 minutes.
5. Remove veggies to a plate. Add steak to air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook 4 minutes.
6. Layer steak and veggies into each roll. Top with provolone cheese slices.
7. Return open-faced sandwiches to air fryer. Cook 3 minutes until cheese melts.

With just 20 minutes of cook time, you can enjoy lighter, healthier cheesesteaks from your air fryer. The meat and veggies crisp up instead of soaking in grease for fast food flavor.

For French dip sandwiches with fall-apart tender meat, turn to your slow cooker. This set-it-and-forget-it method lets the meat cook low and slow in a flavorful broth bath.

Ingredients:

• 3 pound beef chuck roast
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 crusty rolls
• 8 slices provolone cheese

Steps:

1. Place onion and garlic in bottom of slow cooker.
2. Season roast with salt and pepper and nestle into slow cooker.
3. Pour in broth and Worcestershire. Add bay leaf.
4. Cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours.
5. Remove roast from cooker and shred with two forks.
6. Return shredded meat to cooker and stir in juices.
7. Pile shredded beef onto rolls, top with cheese and broil until melted.
8. Serve au jus from slow cooker for dipping.

The slow cooker does all the work for fall-apart, juicy French dip sandwiches. Cook once and feast all week on shredded meat sandwiches.

Beef shaved steak sandwiches are a lunchtime favorite you can easily recreate at home. Whether you prefer the Philly classic or the Italian beef style, shaved steak on a crusty roll always satisfies. Simmer, roast or slow cook lean cuts of beef until tender. Thinly slice against the grain for delicate texture. Pile the meat generously on cheesy bread and add favorite toppings. Dip into piping hot jus or au jus for extra old neighborhood flavor. From the Philly cheesesteak to French dips, beef shaved steak sandwiches are American comfort food at its finest.

FAQ About Making Beef Shaved Steak Sandwiches

What is the best cut of beef for shaved steak sandwiches?

Look for lean, budget-friendly cuts like top round, bottom round, or eye of round roast. Chuck roast and sirloin tip are also good options. The meat should be tenderized through long cooking times.

What is the ideal thickness for slicing shaved steak?

Aim for very thin, delicate slices about 1/8-inch thick. Partially freezing the cooked roast makes it easier to slice the beef paper thin.

How do you keep shaved steak sandwiches warm and crispy?

Keep cooked shaved steak in the pan juices over very low heat. Use hoagie rolls that are freshly baked or quickly toasted just before serving. Layer melted cheese on top to keep the sandwiches hot.

What toppings make a great shaved steak sandwich?

Sautéed onions and peppers, mushrooms, marinara sauce, and hot giardiniera are great Italian beef additions. For Philly cheesesteaks, try sautéed peppers and onions, salsa, jalapeños, or banana peppers.

What kind of cheese is best for shaved steak sandwiches?

Use provolone, mozzarella, Swiss, or Cheese Whiz for classic Philly flavor. Opt for mozzarella or provolone on Italian beef sandwiches. Pepper jack also adds a nice kick.

Beef shaved steak sandwiches are an American tradition perfected in old neighborhoods across the country. With flavorful jus-soaked meat on a perfect crusty roll, it's no wonder these satisfying sandwiches remain so popular today. Now you can bring all that hearty flavor home to your own neighborhood. Enjoy!

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