Intro
A Philly cheesesteak is a classic sandwich originally from Philadelphia that is made with thinly sliced beef and melted cheese. It’s often topped with sauteed onions and peppers. But what do you do when you have leftovers and need to reheat your Philly cheesesteak? Reheating this sandwich properly is important to preserve the texture of the bread and melt the cheese just right. Here are some quick answers to common questions on the best way to reheat a cold Philly cheesesteak:
In the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place Philly cheesesteak on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Heat for 10-15 minutes until hot and cheese is melted.
In the skillet: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a bit of butter or oil. Place Philly cheesesteak in the skillet and cook a few minutes per side to crisp the bread and melt the cheese.
In the microwave: Microwave Philly cheesesteak on high for 60-90 seconds until hot. Watch to prevent overcooking. Let sit 1 minute before eating.
On the grill: Preheat grill to medium heat. Place Philly cheesesteak directly on grill grates. Close lid and grill 2-3 minutes per side to heat through and get a little char.
Choosing the Best Reheating Method
The oven is usually the best way to evenly reheat a Philly cheesesteak without overcooking it. The gentle heat crisps up the bread nicely while melting the cheese. Skillet and grill methods work well too, adding a bit of crispiness as the bread reheats. The microwave can be handy for a quick reheat, but you need to watch it closely to prevent soggy bread and dried out meat.
Here are a few tips for each reheating method:
Oven Tips
- Use a lower oven temperature (325°F-350°F) to gently reheat the sandwich.
- Cover with foil to keep moisture in.
- Use a baking sheet for better heat distribution.
- Allow extra time (10-15 minutes) for thorough heating.
Skillet Tips
- Use medium-low heat to avoid overbrowning.
- Butter or oil prevents sticking.
- Press down lightly with spatula to crisp the bread.
- Flipping halfway through reheats evenly.
Microwave Tips
- Use 60-90 second intervals to slowly reheat.
- Rotate sandwich halfway for even heating.
- Let sit 1 minute before eating so cheese finishes melting.
- Add a cup of water to prevent drying out.
Grill Tips
- Use direct medium heat (350°F-450°F).
- Close lid to melt cheese with grill’s ambient heat.
- Grill just 2-3 minutes per side to avoid burning.
- Bring to room temp before grilling for fastest heating.
Factors that Impact Reheating
Several factors impact how well a Philly cheesesteak reheats, including:
Bread type – Certain breads hold up better during reheating. Breads with a thicker crust or chewier interior like a baguette reheat better than soft rolls.
Cheese type – Processed cheese slices reheat smoothly. Natural cheeses may separate or get grainy. Use shredded cheese or cheese sauce for best results.
Toppings – Onions and peppers add moisture, which can make bread soggy. Reheat open-faced or remove toppings first.
Thickness – Thicker sandwiches take longer to reheat. Cut extra thick cheesesteaks in half before reheating.
Cooking method – Grilling and pan-frying add crispiness. Oven and microwave gently reheat without drying out.
Cooking time – Underheating leaves a cold center. Overheating dries out the bread. Find the right balance for best results.
| Bread Type | Best Reheating Method |
|---|---|
| Baguette | Oven |
| Ciabatta | Oven or Grill |
| Sub roll | Oven or Microwave |
| Hoagie roll | Oven or Microwave |
Step-by-Step Reheating Instructions
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to reheating a Philly cheesesteak in the oven:
- Preheat oven – Preheat your oven to 325°F-350°F.
- Prep cheesesteak – Place cold cheesesteak on a baking sheet. Cover with foil, leaving one end open for steam to escape.
- Heat in oven – Cook for 10-15 minutes until hot and cheese is melted. Check frequently to prevent overcooking.
- Rest – Let sit for 2-3 minutes before unwrapping so cheese can fully melt.
- Unwrap and serve – Carefully unwrap foil. Slice through cheesesteak to check center is hot. Enjoy!
For the skillet, grill or microwave, follow the same principles of slow, gentle heating while monitoring frequently. With some trial and error, you’ll master the best reheating method for your preferences.
Troubleshooting Reheating Problems
Having trouble getting perfect results when reheating your Philly cheesesteak? Here are some common problems and solutions:
Bread is soggy –
– Use lower heat source like oven instead of microwave.
– Leave one end of foil open to allow steam to escape.
– Remove toppings before reheating to avoid excess moisture.
Bread is dried out –
– Use foil cover in oven to keep moisture in.
– Microwave in short intervals, checking in between.
– Add a cup of water next to sandwich when microwaving.
Cheese isn’t melted –
– Use shredded cheese instead of slices for even melting.
– Make sure cheese is not directly touching foil, preventing even heating.
– After reheating, let sit 1-2 minutes for cheese to finish melting.
Sandwich is cold in the center –
– Check for very thick bread preventing even heating. Cut in half before reheating.
– Increase oven temperature 25 degrees for more heat penetration.
– Microwave in multiple intervals, rotating sandwich in between.
Bread is tough or crunchy –
– Avoid pressing down on sandwich while it reheats.
– Use lower skillet or grill heat and flip carefully.
– If already tough, steam briefly in microwave to soften bread.
Storing Leftover Philly Cheesesteaks
Proper storage is important for preserving your Philly cheesesteak to reheat later:
- Let cool completely before refrigerating.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Use within 3-5 days for best quality and safety.
- Freeze for longer storage, up to 2-3 months.
- When freezing, wrap each sandwich tightly in layers of plastic wrap and foil.
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
With proper storage and reheating, you can safely enjoy leftover Philly cheesesteaks for days after cooking. Just be sure to use the right method to reheat them perfectly.
Conclusion
Reheating a cold Philly cheesesteak so it’s evenly hot and the cheese is melted requires some technique. Using the oven at a lower temperature with foil cover is ideal for getting the bread crispy on the outside and cheese melted inside without drying out. Skillet and grill methods work too by crisping up the bread. Just keep the heat gentle to avoid toughness. Microwave cautiously in short intervals to prevent soggy bread. With the right reheating tips for your preferences, you can easily revive a leftover cheesesteak to be just as delicious as the original!