This vegan Philly cheesesteak is made in only 20 minutes! Made with thinly sliced mushrooms, onions, peppers and gooey cheese served in a toasted bun.
This mushrooms based cheesesteak is so flavorful! It's family friendly and perfect for when you need some comfort food but in a healthy way!
This recipe was originally published on 7/11/14
30 minute meals are the only way we get through the week! We loved cheesy sandwiches like my ultimate vegan grilled cheese and this vegan philly cheese steak when were craving comfort food.
Ingredients
A traditional Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich is made of steak, but different varieties have popped up, both other meat based versions and vegetarian ones. I have seen a few different vegan versions out there, but using mushrooms is my favorite of them all.
This recipe will capture all the favorite flavors you know and love, with plant based ingredients:
- Garlic
- Portobello mushrooms - or other smaller varieties like oyster mushrooms, baby bella, etc.
- Bell peppers
- Onion
- Parsley
- Brown rice flour for gluten-free, or standard flour or cornstarch
- Vegetable broth
- Hot dog buns, sub sandwich rolls, or hoagie rolls - gluten-free if needed
- Dairy free cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil or vegetable broth
What kind of mushrooms do you use in a vegan cheesesteak?
I love mushrooms for mimicking the meat base in a Philly cheesesteak because they are a whole food way to get great taste plus extra veggies. They have some protein and when thinly sliced and cooked well, they give a great texture.
There are so many kinds of mushrooms out there, all with slightly different textures. For ease, I use portobello mushrooms in this recipe. They are easy to find and one of my favorites.
Shiitake mushrooms would also work well here, as would porcini or king trumpet. All have a good meaty like texture but are harder to find and can be more expensive.
How to Make a Vegan Philly Cheesesteak
This easy recipe is done in a few simple steps. It comes together so fast, you won't believe it!
- Put the fresh ingredients into a pan.
- Add the flour and cook until everything is fully cooked and browning.
- Add cheese to melt if you want and devour!
Topping Suggestions
The best vegan Philly cheesesteak MUST have cheese!!
Here are some of our favorite homemade vegan cheese sauce recipes:
You could also use a store bought sliced cheese to make it super quick. My favorite vegan provolone cheese is from Follow Your Heart. You could also use a vegan mozzarella or cheddar.
More untraditional toppings you could add inside the sandwiches are:
- Fresh greens like spinach, kale, etc.
- Spicy hot peppers like jalapeño, cherry bomb, poblano or serrano
- Tomato
- Vegan ranch dressing
- Coconut bacon
What to Serve With Vegan Cheesesteaks
Pair your sandwich with any of the following vegan side dishes:
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
It's easy to have this vegan Philly cheesesteak sandwich recipe prepped ahead of time. Here are a few tips that will make this already quick and easy meal even faster:
- Slice the mushrooms, bell peppers and onions.
- Chop the parsley and garlic.
- Make any homemade vegan cheese sauces you are using.
- Store each component in sealed containers in the refrigerator until you're ready to put the sandwiches together.
- If you end up with leftovers of the sandwich filling mixture you can keep it in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 3-5 days.
- Reheat in a skillet or the microwave.
Common Questions
A vegan cheesesteak can be made with dairy-free cheese, peppers, onions, and your favorite plant based meat alternative such as mushrooms, marinated tofu, seitan, tempeh, or store-bought vegan beef.
Subway's meatless Philly contains plant based steak, however, it also has cheese and is marked as vegetarian. If you omit the cheese the sandwich will be plant based.
More Vegan Sandwich Recipes
What's next after this vegan Philly cheesesteak? Any of these easy plant based sandwiches!
Vegan Philly Cheesesteak
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped garlic , about 1 medium garlic clove
- Your favorite oil for sautéing , or veggie broth if not using oil
- 4 Portobello mushrooms , thinly sliced
- 1 small green bell pepper , thinly sliced
- 1 small red bell pepper , thinly sliced
- 1 small sweet or yellow onion , thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown rice flour (see note)
- ½ cup veggie broth , low sodium if needed
- 6 hot dog buns or sub sandwich rolls
- 6 slices dairy free cheese
Optional add ins:
- 2 cups fresh spinach , sauté with veggies
- 2 spicy peppers , thinly sliced, sauté with veggies for spicy version
- Ultimate "Cheese" Sauce
- Mac and Cheese Sauce
- Sharp White Cheese Sauce
Instructions
- Sauté garlic in a pan using oil or broth until lightly browned.
- Add veggies and cook covered until mushrooms release some liquid.
- Remove cover and add parsley, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Add flour and veggie broth and continue to cook until juice thickens.
- Remove from heat and serve in buns topped with a slice of cheese.
- Drizzle on one of the cheese sauces if you want an extra layer of creaminess.
Notes
- You can use any flour you want if you aren't worried about it being gluten free. You can also use a starch like cornstarch. If you use a starch make sure to mix it into a bit of broth or water first so it doesn't clump.
- The cheese sauce gives it an extra creamy taste.
- Nutrition facts and cook time do not include optional toppings.
- Slice veggies.
- Make optional toppings of choice.
- Feed baby puree of spinach, bell peppers and mushrooms. Feed toddler the filling (without the spicy peppers) with a spoon and the bread on the side.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Barb
Going to make this tonight. Just curious…are you related to FL governor?
Sophia DeSantis
Let me know how you like it! And no, not related that I know of. It's my husband's side that has the last name.
Emilie
Just made this for lunch and really enjoyed it! I've made other vegan steak and cheese before, but I really like how you make a little gravy to the veggies. I also made your ultimate cheese sauce to top it, and served in pita pockets. Yummy! Now just thinking of what to put the rest of the cheese sauce on....
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Emilie! I'm so happy you liked it! Sooooo many things you can put the cheese sauce on!
JD
I’m not a huge mushroom lover but the way these are thinly sliced with all the other veggies makes it really good!
Zoe
I had this for lunch the other week and it was SO SATISFYING! I featured this recipe in my recent post "30 Portobello Mushroom Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less"! http://vegan.supply/30-portobello-mushroom-recipes-in-30-mins-or-less/ Thanks, Sophia!
veggiesdontbite
Wow thanks Zoe!!! That's so awesome to hear. And thank you for the feature!!
Sue
Sophia, this is my first cheese steak and it's phenomenal! Thanks so much, we loved it.
veggiesdontbite
Yay!! So happy you liked it!!
Diana
OK so I'm a year and a half late to the cheesesteak party but I've finally arrived! Sophia, this was fantastic! I left out the cherry bombs because we don't like spicy things (I know! We're wimps!) but oh my goodness this came out so perfect! I melted Field Roast Chao Cheese on top and served it on gluten free buns. I'm posting it on Instagram tomorrow!
veggiesdontbite
Hi Diana!!! Ha!! You are so funny. I'm SUPER excited you loved them and with Chao Cheese...OMG! YUM! I'm putting these back into the rotation with some cheese asap! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kaylee
I can't find cherry bomb peppers anywhere 🙁 I found roasted sweet red peppers, and a cherry pepper HOT spread, but I love the sweet ones..any suggestions?
Anyways..I made with the roasted sweet peppers & it turned out GREAT!!!! Thank for recipe
Kaylee
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Kaylee!! Roasted sweet peppers work great! The cherry bomb are just spicier. I've found them in a jar at trader joes before. But not sure if they still have them. I've also found them fresh at Jimbos. So glad you liked it!! Now I'm craving them. Lol!
Anna Lee
I am so excited to try this! I've always loooved phillys!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Anna! It's super quick and easy. I bet my new fat free Alfredo sauce would be really good on it too!! Let me know when you try it out!
Adrianne
My husband made this for me last night. Ohh my, it was delicious! I have never had a "cheesestake" before, with or without meat and this was a great place to start. Thanks for the recipe! I will be back for more from you blog.
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much!! I'm so glad you liked it and hope you find more. Thanks for following!!
M-R
To describe these as "drool-worthy" is putting it VERY mildly, Sophia ! I am going to have to buy some buns especially ... What a WONDERFUL recipe : thanks so much !!!!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you for your kind words!! It's a quick and easy one that we love! Enjoy!
M-R
Nonono! - thank YOU for this entirely SCRUMMY recipe !
🙂
veggiesdontbite