My in-laws hosted a “Dips-mas Eve” last holiday season, where each household prepared a dip. A variety of crowd-pleasing dips—hot, cold, savory and sweet dips—all went head-to-head in a friendly family dip throwdown. My fiance and I take food challenges quite seriously, so after much consideration, we decided our contribution would be a Philly cheesesteak dip.

I come from a long line of born-and-bred Philadelphians, so my family loves cheesesteaks. To make a dip that tasted like an authentic Philly cheesesteak, I knew I had to choose the right meat. I went with thinly shaved ribeye steak. Cooked with chopped onions and green bell peppers, then mixed into a creamy base with pantry seasonings and lots of provolone, the quality of the meat really made a difference.

The dip baked until it was perfectly bubbly and golden brown. It was a smash hit with our family, who lovingly coined it “Philly Philly” after the Philadelphia Eagles’ infamous trick play. The creamy, meaty dip was great on the holiday appetizer table, but it’s also an excellent choice to pair with dippers as a Super Bowl food idea (especially when the Eagles make it to the big game!).

Ingredients for Philly Cheesesteak Dip

• Shaved beef ribeye: Like an actual cheesesteak, this dip is only as good as the type of steak used, and thinly shaved ribeye is the best choice for cheesesteak recipes. Look for 1-pound packages of shaved ribeye in the meat section. Better yet, visit the meat counter or a butcher and have them cut a fresh steak—ask for it shaved so it’ll be ultra-thin.
• Creamy base: Cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise form the creamy base of our dip. This trifecta creates an unbeatable balance of tanginess and richness. Be sure to soften the cream cheese so it will mix easily.
• Worcestershire sauce: A teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce enhances the dip’s savory, meaty flavor.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, dried parsley flakes, salt and pepper season the dip. You can substitute two garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley if you have fresh ingredients on hand.
• Provolone cheese: Provolone is a classic choice for cheesesteaks and an excellent melting cheese—perfect for baked hot dip recipes. Look for an 8-ounce package of mild sliced provolone containing 12 slices. You can also chop a block of provolone into small cubes.
• Onion: Traditional Philly cheesesteaks feature melt-in-your-mouth onions cooked alongside the steak. Yellow onion adds sweetness and depth of flavor that complements the meatiness and cream-based ingredients.
• Green bell pepper: Some people love bell peppers on a cheesesteak, and others never order ’em. I like them, so this recipe for Philly cheesesteak dip includes chopped green bell pepper for extra flavor and texture.
• Dippables for serving: Serve this dip with your favorite dippers. Chewy baguette, crisp crostini, tortilla chips, corn chips, crackers and veggies are all excellent for scooping up dips.

Taste of Home