Philly Cheese Steak Sauce Recipes You’ll Never Forget

My mind doesn’t come up with many answers when I try to think of a sandwich that’s more mouthwatering and filling than a Philly cheese steak.

There’s just something about the combination of juicy beefsteak and melted cheese that makes this fast food so hard to beat.

But it doesn’t stop there.

The flavors of a Philly cheese steak and its other toppings are already great, but they become explosive when paired with the right sauce.

It can go from tasting cheesy too spicy to earthy to nutty, and from feeling creamy to chunky, all by adding a different type of sauce.

Today, I’ve put together a list of 23 delicious Philly cheese steak sauce recipes to help you explore the wonders of the sandwich sauce world!

1. Provolone Cheese Sauce

I love to push the boundaries of traditional sandwich toppings, but I also can’t help but kick off this list with a cheese sauce for Philly cheese steak recipes.

So as a compromise, I decided to share a not-so-common Philly cheese steak cheese sauce that uses provolone cheese.

The sharp taste along with the nutty and buttery flavors of provolone go beautifully with the briny meat in the sandwich.

It’s also super easy to make; just melt some butter, whisk in some flour, and then stir in the cheese once the mixture thickens.

2. Kebab Shop Chili Sauce

Philly cheese steak is an infamous fast food, so it’s only fitting that you pair it with a takeaway-style sauce.

One of my favorites is this kebab shop chili sauce.

Not only is it practically effortless, but it also calls for only a few ingredients that you probably have in your pantry right now!

The tomatoes, chili peppers, onion, and garlic result in a hot and spicy mixture of flavors that perfectly matches beefsteak.

You can drizzle it on top or serve it as a Philly cheese steak dipping sauce.

3. Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce

When talking about a sauce for Philly cheese steak, it’s nearly impossible for people to bring up a green sauce.

But that’s exactly what this recipe offers.

Hot, spicy, and rich, this sauce delivers a unique kick of flavors that highlights the meaty taste of the sandwich.

The vibrant color also adds a pop to create a more interesting look for the dish.

You can use this Peruvian-inspired green sauce as a Philly cheese steak sauce dip or topping.

4. Irish Spicy Sauce

To come up with new answers for “what sauce goes on Philly cheese steak?”, you can turn to other types of sandwiches for clues.

This version of the Reuben sandwich uses an Irish spicy sauce that’ll wow your taste buds!

It goes so well with corned beef and I believe it makes a delectable duo with beefsteak.

The tart flavors and creamy texture of this sauce effectively balance out the brininess of the meat.

It even has a mild heat and a hint of sweetness to round up the dish beyond expectations.

5. Smoked Gouda Sauce

Looking to whip up a creamy and gooey Philly cheese steak dipping sauce?

A smoked gouda sauce can get the job done — so good that you’ll wonder how you never tried it before!

It gets even better: you only need 4 ingredients to make this sauce.

Start by melting butter in a saucepan and then whisking in some flour and milk.

As the mixture thickens (can coat the whisk or spoon), stir in the smoked gouda until you get a smooth and creamy consistency.

6. Chip Shop Curry Sauce

Not many people think of curry when it comes to a homemade Philly cheese steak sauce.

I believe this recipe can change that with its thick texture and rich flavors.

Popular in the UK, the chip shop curry sauce has nothing Indian about it despite the name.

It calls for onion, garlic, apple, stock, flour, and curry powder.

Cook everything together for about 10 minutes and that’s it.

This sauce is meant to be chunky, so it can also double as a Philly cheese steak sauce dip.

You can make it smoother by giving it a go in the blender.

7. Serrano Avocado Sauce

I’m a die-hard avocado fan.

Not only is it good for you, but the buttery texture and nutty taste blends flawlessly with the spicy flavor of the meat.

I love slicing the fruit up and layering it in sandwiches, but for this list, I decided to go with an avocado sauce that delivers a heat kick using serrano peppers.

8. Pesto Sauce

To munch on a flavor-loaded Philly cheese steak sandwich, I recommend stepping out of the norm and trying pesto sauce.

It may not be what most people consider the best Philly cheese steak sauce, but I think it can come pretty darn close.

The bright, herby taste of the basil combined with the rich saltiness of the cheese and the cashew-like flavor of the pine nuts make for a sauce comparable to a nectar of the gods.

Not to mention, pesto sauce has a garlicky and peppery profile that complements meat like a dream.

9. Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

Using a few simple ingredients, you can make this taqueria-style jalapeno salsa right in your kitchen.

Start by boiling jalapenos and onion for about 10 mins.

Then, remove the stems from the jalapenos and blend them along with the onions, garlic powder, pepper, lime juice, salt, and oil.

You’ll end up with a smooth puree that cuts through the rich meat with major spiciness.

10. Cajun Sauce

When searching for a spicy Philly cheese steak sauce recipe, you should definitely add this southern-inspired cajun sauce to your favorites list.

It offers a smoky, spicy flavor from the paprika and hot sauce.

It also gives an earthy taste thanks to the mixture of herbs and garlic and herbs in the seasoning portion.

Creamy but not too thick, you can also use this sauce as a dip.

11. Blue Cheese Sauce

A creamy cheese sauce for Philly cheese steak is a downright staple for this hearty comfort food.

Still, you can add an unconventional twist using blue cheese.

I think the beefsteak in the sandwich pairs very nicely with blue cheese, especially in combination with a creamy base using mayo, sour cream, and buttermilk.

The distinct pungent flavor of blue cheese is like a wake-up call to your taste buds after a mouthful of briny meat.

To bring the sauce home, add some salt, pepper, and lemon juice to season.

12. Chamoy Sauce

Another fantastic homemade Philly cheese steak sauce is this Chamoy concoction from Mexico.

The recipe calls for dried hibiscus flowers, dried fruit (such as apricots), and dried chili peppers along with tajín, sugar, lime juice, and salt.

The resulting sauce is super tangy, which I simply adore with briny meats.

13. Irish Curry Sauce

That’s right, another curry sauce, but this time with even more spices!

This Philly cheese steak dipping sauce packs a punch, which I love for meaty sandwiches.

It calls for vegetable oil, onion, apples, garlic, ginger, and curry powder (I prefer strong) along with a spice blend, some tomato paste, Tamari, and sugar.

It’ll come out chunky, but you can run it in your blender a couple of times to make it smoother.

14. American Cheddar Cheese Sauce

I can’t get enough of a good Philly cheese steak cheese sauce, which is why I always end up recommending this recipe to anyone who asks!

It’s a classic, flavor-packed creamy sauce that combines the sharp nuttiness of cheddar with the tangy butteriness of American cheese.

The garlic powder and ground mustard add a pleasant zing to cut through the rich sauce.

15. Maple Mayo Sauce

One of the easiest Philly cheese steak sauce recipes you’ll ever come across is this maple mayo creation.

It only takes a few minutes to take and doesn’t require any heat!

All you need to do is grab a bowl and mix mayo, maple syrup, yellow mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Blending sweet and tangy flavors into a creamy sauce, feel free to smear it on your sandwich or use it as a dip.

16. Garlic Butter Tomato Sauce

Whether you smother your sandwich or dunk it, this tomato sauce for Philly cheese steak is finger-lickin’ good!

It’s thick, tangy, spicy, and chunky — all of which are happy words when it comes to our meaty sandwich.

This recipe calls for cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and butter.

Once you reduce the mixture, add some salt to taste and you’re done.

17. Garlic Cashew Sauce

Garlicky and nutty — can you think of a tastier duo?

The star of the show in this sauce is cashew.

It uses no cheese, mayo, cream, or butter.

That’s right, it’s dairy-free!

Along with cashew, throw in some garlic, salt, pepper, and water in your food processor and blend away.

18. Parmesan Cheese Hollandaise Sauce

Here’s another delicious creamy cheese sauce for Philly cheese steak.

This recipe adds parmesan to the traditional French hollandaise ingredients for a kick of fruity and nutty flavors.

From that point, you’re free to season as you prefer with hot sauce, lemon juice, and salt.

19. Brown Sauce

Among today’s Philly cheese steak sauce recipes, brown sauce deserves a lot more appreciation.

Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also filled with complex flavors thanks to ingredients such as tomatoes, apricots, apples, molasses, dates, tamarind, and vinegar.

Brown sauce complements briny meat nicely, offering a tart sweetness that coats the palate.

20. Sriracha Mayo Sauce

Drizzle some of this spicy cream onto your Philly cheese steak or use it as a dunking station for your sandwich.

Either way, you’ll love it!

The best thing is, it’s super versatile and takes less than 5 minutes to finish.

Just grab a bowl and combine mayo, sriracha sauce, garlic powder, and some lemon juice.

The mayo can be whatever variation you like (original, vegan, Japanese) and the sriracha can be of your preferred heat level.

21. Beer Cheese Sauce

With a velvet texture and a tangy beer flavor profile, this sauce for Philly cheese steak isn’t for the light-hearted!

It’s made out of beer, cheddar cheese, milk, dijon mustard, and a bunch of spices that you can easily play with.

Be careful not to underestimate the amount of beer the recipe calls for.

It may seem small, but it’s more than enough to deliver a hit.

22. Whiskey BBQ Sauce

BBQ and whiskey? Talk about the ultimate smoky sweet sauce!

This recipe uses molasses and brown sugar as a sweet base.

It also calls for onion and garlic to deliver a strong flavor.

The smokiness and spiciness come from the cumin, whiskey, balsamic vinegar, mustard, and cayenne.

Pair it with your Philly cheese steak and you’ll devour it in no time!

23. Thai Peanut Sauce

Last but not least, change things up with this creamy and nutty Thai-inspired sauce.

I love it because it has a unique taste that goes smoothly with beef without overpowering its flavors.

To make this peanut sauce, you’ll need teriyaki sauce, peanut butter, cayenne pepper, garlic, and orange juice.

Mix all the ingredients well and dip or drizzle your Philly cheese steak away!