Tender Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak (Keto-Friendly & Flavorful!)
Craving that classic Philly cheesesteak flavor without the carbs? This Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak delivers! Tender, thinly sliced beef, sweet bell peppers, and onions are slow-cooked in a savory broth, then loaded onto low-carb tortillas or rolls and topped with melted provolone. It’s an easy, comforting, and incredibly satisfying meal that’s perfect for a crowd or meal prep!
Yields: 6 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 6-8 hours (on low) or 3-4 hours (on high) + 5 minutes (oven finish)
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds top sirloin steak, sliced very thinly against the grain (you can also use flank steak, ribeye, or round steak)
- 2 large bell peppers, sliced (any color, green and red recommended)
- 1 medium white onion, sliced
- 1 ¾ cups hot water
- 1 beef bouillon cube (check for no added sugar or MSG)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (check for no added sugar or high-carb ingredients)
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 6 low-carb tortillas or low-carb rolls/buns (ensure they are keto-friendly)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened or melted (for tortillas/rolls)
- 6 slices provolone cheese
Equipment:
- Large crockpot (slow cooker, 6-quart or larger recommended)
- Whisk or spoon
- Small bowl (for bouillon mixture)
- Baking sheet
Instructions:
- Prepare Broth Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the hot water and beef bouillon cube. Whisk until the bouillon cube is fully dissolved.
- Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce to the broth mixture. Whisk well to combine, and set aside.
- Combine in Crockpot: Add the thinly sliced beef, sliced bell peppers, and sliced white onion to the crockpot.
- Pour the prepared bouillon mixture evenly over the meat and vegetables in the crockpot.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is very tender and easily shreddable with a fork.
- Prepare for Serving: When the beef is done cooking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange the low-carb tortillas or open-faced low-carb rolls on a baking sheet.
- Lightly butter one side of each tortilla or the cut side of each roll.
- Assemble & Melt Cheese: Using tongs or a slotted spoon, place a generous portion of the cooked beef and vegetable mixture onto each buttered tortilla or roll, allowing some of the excess liquid to drain back into the crockpot.
- Top each portion generously with a slice of provolone cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 5 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
- Serve & Enjoy! Carefully remove from the oven. If using tortillas, roll them up to create wraps. If using rolls, put the two halves together to form sandwiches. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for Success:
- Thinly Sliced Beef: Slicing the beef thinly is key for the tender texture of a cheesesteak. Partially freezing the meat for 30 minutes can make it easier to slice thinly.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Check labels for low-carb versions, as some brands contain sugar.
- Low-Carb Buns/Tortillas: Select high-quality keto-friendly options to keep the carb count low.
- Cheese Alternatives: While provolone is classic, Swiss or mozzarella can also be used.
- Extra Juice: The crockpot will produce a lot of flavorful juice. You can reserve some of this juice for dipping, or if you prefer a thicker sauce for the meat, you can drain some of it out before serving or thicken it with a tiny amount of xanthan gum (¼-½ tsp) stirred in while hot.
Storage: Store any leftover beef and vegetable mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the meat mixture and assemble fresh with tortillas/rolls and cheese.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification
- High Protein: Yes, this recipe is very high in protein due to the substantial amount of beef and cheese.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is low-carb. All ingredients are naturally low in carbohydrates, provided low-carb alternatives are chosen for tortillas/rolls and condiments.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet, with the important caveat of checking labels for hidden sugars/starches in:
- Beef bouillon: Some brands contain sugar or corn syrup solids.
- Worcestershire sauce: Many brands contain sugar or molasses. Look for keto-friendly versions.
- Low-carb tortillas/rolls: These vary widely in net carb count. Emphasize checking labels.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided gluten-free beef bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, and low-carb tortillas/rolls are used.
