Copycat Subway's Steak And Cheese Recipe
While Subway tries to promote itself as the healthiest fast food option out there, unfortunately, the low-calorie menu options are pretty much limited to subs that consist of nothing more than lean cold cuts and/or veggies with no cheeses or any of those tasty sauces. Unless you eat at Subway every single day, though, it's hard to stick to these plain-Jane sandwiches when there are so many more delicious subs on offer. One of the very best (though hardly the healthiest) items on Subway's menu is their Philly-style steak and cheese.
Angela Latimer, who blogs at Bake It With Love, got an early start in the food industry. As she tells us, "Once upon a time, I managed a Subway, and [the steak and cheese] is my all-time favorite from way back in the day." She does note, though, that Subway's own recipe has changed over the years, asking, "Remember when the steak and cheese used to have cooked bell pepper in it? I do!" Her copycat recipe for the Subway steak and cheese does not call for cooking the bell pepper, but of course, you can do so if you too are nostalgic for the way Subway used to do things way back when.
Shop for the ingredients for this copycat Subway steak and cheese
To make this copycat Subway steak and cheese, you could, of course, go all fancy and thin-slice or attempt to shave your own sirloin, but the easier, more Subway-esque way would be to use frozen prepared chopped sirloin. Latimer used a Great Value product called Sirloin Philly Steak, but if you don't shop at Walmart, the non-generic version would be Steak-Umms.
In addition to the meat, you'll need garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. For cheese, you'll be using the American kind — Latimer used the white stuff to make her sub look even more like Subway's, but the orange-colored cheese slices really don't taste any different. You're also going to need two sub sandwich rolls as well as your toppings of choice, including the typical sliced green bell pepper and red onion that Subway uses on their steak and cheese subs.
Cook and season the meat
Heat a tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the frozen meat and cook it on one side for two to three minutes. (The package should give you some guidelines to follow.) Flip the meat, then brown the other side for another two to three minutes. As the meat browns, separate it with a fork or a spatula. If there's any excess oil or other moisture, you can drain that off too.
Season the meat with the spices and some salt and pepper. (Latimer used one teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of pepper.) Stir the meat so the seasonings are evenly mixed, then turn off the stove.
Stuff the sub rolls
Slice each sub roll about three-quarters of the way through so you can fit the filling in the sandwich without splitting the roll entirely in two — you know, kind of like how Subway subs are made. Place the rolls on a baking sheet, and fill each one with half of the meat. Cut each American cheese slice in half, then use three to four half slices to top each sub. Of course, you can always use more cheese if that's what you're craving.
Toast the steak and cheese sandwiches
Place the sandwiches in the oven and broil them until the cheese is melted and the rolls are toasted, which Latimer says should take about two to three minutes. You'll need to watch closely to make sure neither bread nor cheese burns.
"Toasting the subs is, of course, optional," Latimer admits, adding that instead, "to get super melty cheese, [you can] place the subs in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds." She also says you can just top the meat with the cheese while it's still in the skillet, then use a long flat knife or a spatula to scoop both meat and melted cheese onto each roll.
Top the subs to taste
Now it's time to get in touch with your inner sandwich artist! Latimer says to top each sandwich with bell pepper and onion slices as is typically done with the sandwich at Subway. You can also leave these veggies out and/or add any of the other typical Subway toppings like tomatoes, banana peppers, jalapenos, or black olives.
Latimer says, "No steak and cheese escapes me adding my Subway faves like the Italian herbs, Parmesan, pickles, olives, and lots of lettuce," but the beauty of Subway is that each sandwich is made right before your eyes so you can have it any way you like it. No reason not to adhere to this rule at home as well! Let your Subway steak and cheese go wherever your sandwich artistry takes you.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 14 ounces frozen chopped sirloin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 submarine sandwich rolls
- 3 to 4 slices American cheese
- ½ green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
- 6 to 8 slices red onion
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Place the frozen meat into the skillet and allow the first side to cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Flip the meat and cook the second side for 2 to 3 minutes.
- As the meat becomes evenly browned, separate it with a spatula. Drain off any excess moisture.
- Season the meat with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper along with the garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir to combine, then remove from heat.
- Split each sub sandwich roll by slicing down the length to ¾ the depth of the bread.
- Place the cut rolls onto a baking sheet and portion the meat onto the bottom half.
- Cut each American cheese slice into half, then place 3 to 4 halves onto each sub sandwich.
- Broil the sandwiches to toast and melt the cheese, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Top each sandwich with bell pepper and onion slices, plus any additional toppings you like.
- Serve and enjoy.
| Calories per Serving | 818 |
| Total Fat | 47.0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 18.0 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 178.3 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 43.1 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.9 g |
| Sodium | 938.9 mg |
| Protein | 53.8 g |
