Step-by-Step Preparation Steps
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Brown the beef: Add the lean ground beef and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Whisk the sauce: In a small measuring cup, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into 1 cup of cold beef broth until completely smooth.
- Simmer and thicken: Pour the broth mixture and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce into the skillet with the beef and peppers. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until a glossy, rich gravy coats your Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe meat.
- Melt the cheese: Lower the heat to low. Arrange the slices of provolone cheese directly over the warm beef mixture in the pan. Cover with a lid for 2 minutes until the cheese turns melted and gooey.
- Assemble and serve: Scoop generous portions of the cheesy beef mixture onto toasted brioche buns. Serve hot immediately.
Culinary Science Behind a Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe
Understanding the flavor chemistry of a Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe helps you get that authentic steakhouse taste using ground beef. Sautéing bell peppers and onions releases natural sugars that caramelize alongside the beef, enhancing savory richness via the Maillard reaction.
Using beef broth thickened with cornstarch creates a silky gravy that clings to the ground meat, keeping every bite tender. When provolone melts into the warm sauce, its milk lipids emulsify with the savory pan juices, delivering the signature creamy mouthfeel of a classic Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe 🧀…
