Smoked Philly Cheesesteak Dip

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Posted: 10/05/26

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Smoked Philly cheesesteak dip is my favorite way to feed a crowd on game day without spending the afternoon in the kitchen. It has everything I love about the classic sandwich, tender roast beef, sweet caramelized onions, green peppers, and a ridiculous amount of provolone, all folded into an indulgent cream cheese base. Serve it with a sliced baguette and watch it disappear before the first quarter ends.

Creamy Philly cheesesteak dip topped with green onions and served with toasted bread, celery and carrots.

This Smoked Cheesesteak Dip Disappears Before Kickoff Every Time

I have never actually been to Philadelphia but that hasn’t stopped me from claiming this is the best cheesesteak dip in Minnesota. Inspired by the popular diner sandwich, the Philly cheesesteak, my dip is the best way to serve everyone you love the same classic flavor, with less work.

It started as a way to use up a pound of deli roast beef after a party, and the first version was fine. Jason talked me into throwing it on the smoker instead of the oven and it went from fine to disappearing act in ten minutes. And my Philly cheesesteak dip recipe was born!

The caramelized onions are what make it irresistible, and the brown sugar is the secret ingredient nobody can identify. My kids think I’m a genius. Jason thinks it was his idea. I guess we’re both right.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Adding deli roast beef to this recipe instead of cooking up a steak makes this a budget-friendly appetizer to share with family and friends.
Every mouthful is equal parts creamy, sweet and savory and there are endless options for dippers.
This crowd-pleasing dip is really simple to put together and only goes on the smoker for 60 minutes. Short so you don’t have to wait all day to indulge, but long enough that you can get organized before the company arrives.

Smoked Philly Cheesesteak Dip Supply Image

Key Ingredients

Cream cheese – Soften at room temperature so it blends out nice and smooth.
Sour cream – Use full fat for the best flavor and texture. Swap in plain Greek yogurt if you prefer.
Yellow onion – Yellow is the most common type of onion in a Philly cheesesteak. Diced onion will scoop up cleaner than sliced onion.
Light brown sugar – This is my secret ingredient! It really lets the onions caramelize and sweeten perfectly.
Green bell pepper – The slightly bitter flavor of the green pepper balances out the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
Deli roast beef – Stopping by the deli means you don’t have to cook up a steak. However, anytime I am craving this dip and I have leftover steak in the fridge, I slice it up and toss it in!
Provolone cheese – Provolone is the classic choice for a cheesesteak sandwich, but if you can’t find it, mozzarella or American white cheddar are good swaps.

Add-Ins And Toppings

Sauté mushrooms with onions and peppers
Add diced jalapeño
Top with sliced green onion
Top with fried onions

How To Make Smoked Philly Cheesesteak Dip

Mix base. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth. Add sour cream, mayonnaise, pepper, kosher salt, roast beef and provolone cheese and mix until combined. Set aside.
Caramelize onions. In a large oven safe cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add brown sugar and onions. Sauté for 6 minutes until lightly caramelized.
Cook down pepper and garlic. Add green pepper and garlic. Cook for a few minutes more until peppers are tender, stirring occasionally.
Add base. Remove the skillet from heat and add cream cheese mixture to the skillet. Stir until everything is well-combined.
Smoke. Put the skillet in the preheated smoker for about 60 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes then serve.

Chopped beef and diced cheese added to a creamy dip mixture in a glass bowl.

Diced onions and seasonings cooking in a cast iron skillet.

Storage And Reheating

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this dish because it will separate and the texture will become grainy upon reheating.

Reheat in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or microwave in increments until hot through. Stir well to recombine any ingredients that have separated.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many great dipper options that go along with this dip. A fun thing to do is to ask a few guests to bring along their favorite dippers to add to the platter, too. I generally stick with classics like pretzel thins, potato chips, sliced baguette, sliced veggies, pita chips, tortilla chips and crackers.

A few family favorite appetizers I also set out during game-day get togethers include Poor Man’s Burnt Ends, Smoked Jalapeño Popper Meatballs and of course Chicken Wings.

Pro Tips

Even though the temperature will be quite low, make sure that your cast iron skillet is oven safe before starting. Oven-safe means that it is made from one solid piece of metal. If you have an enamelled skillet, double check the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure it is safe to place in the smoker. If there are any non-metal handles or accessories, don’t put it into the smoker!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake Philly cheesesteak dip in the oven?

Yes, you can! Of course, it won’t have that unique smoky flavor, but sometimes smoking is just not in the cards. Prepare the dip in the cast iron skillet and bake in the oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes or until hot and bubbling. Don’t forget to let it rest before digging in.

Can I prepare this dip ahead of time?

Prepare this dip up to a day in advance. Allow the sautéed veggies to cool before folding in the cream cheese mixture then store covered in the fridge. Take the skillet out of the fridge to come to room temperature before smoking.

Hot, cheesy Philly cheesesteak dip with beef, peppers and green onions being scooped from a skillet.

Meet the Evinks

Hi! We are Jason & Julie! We focus on easy, simple recipes that everyone can tackle on their smoker and grills that the entire family will enjoy!

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