A cheesesteak is a type of sandwich with thinly sliced beefsteak and melted cheese, and a cheesesteak is so popular in some states like Philidelphia that it is often called a Philly cheesesteak.
If you have never had a Philly cheesesteak, you may be wondering if ketchup should be on a cheesesteak. I did the research, and here is what I discovered!
Ketchup On Cheesesteak
Normally, a Philly cheesesteak is served without condiments since Philly cheesesteak has melted cheese, but ketchup on a cheesesteak is usually acceptable for most people. Generally, ketchup can enhance the flavors of a Philly cheesesteak and make the cheesesteak moister, but citizens from Philidelphia usually do not add ketchup to their Philly cheesesteaks.
Do you want to learn about if Philly cheesesteak has a sauce, what other condiments you can put on Philly cheesesteak, and more? Keep reading!
Do You Put Ketchup On Cheesesteak?
Typically, a Philly cheesesteak does not require ketchup since the melted cheese on the sandwich often adds enough moisture and flavor.
However, you can put ketchup on a Philly cheesesteak if you want to since ketchup is a common condiment used for Philly cheesesteak.
Do Cheese And Ketchup Go Together?
One major reason why some people are not sure if ketchup goes on a Philly cheesesteak is that people do not know if cheese and ketchup go together, but cheese and ketchup can taste good in the right circumstances.
Some people state that cheese, particularly in sandwiches, goes well with ketchup since ketchup’s tartness can cut through the richness of cheese while enhancing the cheese’s overall flavor.
For instance, mild cheese may be underwhelming, so adding ketchup to the cheese can add sweet and savory notes to the ketchup.
Do Steak And Ketchup Go Together?
On a plain steak, people may not like the idea of ketchup with steak, but steak can be great with ketchup when the steak is in a sandwich like a Philly cheesesteak.
Additionally, ketchup can make your steak more enjoyable if your steak is dry and lacks flavor since ketchup will add flavor and moisture to your steak.
Do People In Philidelphia Put Ketchup On Cheesesteaks?
Most people in Philidelphia do not put ketchup on their cheesesteaks, and many citizens of Philidelphia may see it as a sin to add ketchup to a cheesesteak.
People in Philidelphia state that a properly made Philly cheesesteak does not require ketchup because a Philly cheesesteak tastes great by itself.
For instance, a well-made Philly cheesesteak will have medium-rare beef slices with cheese, onions, and peppers. Creating a flavor profile that is dynamic enough to omit ketchup.
Moreover, most Philidelphia citizens may tell you that adding ketchup to a Philly cheesesteak may ruin the sandwich.
Ketchup has a fairly strong flavor profile, so dolloping ketchup into a Philly cheesesteak would mask the taste of the Philly cheesesteak.
Does Philly Cheesesteak Have Sauce?
Generally, it is very unlikely to get a Philly cheesesteak with sauce since the “sauce” of most Philly cheesesteaks is melted cheese.
However, some restaurants may serve sauce over their Philly cheesesteak, such as gravy to go with the cheese and beef.
Another sauce that some people make for Philly cheesesteaks is tomato sauce, but many people may dislike tomato sauce on a Philly cheesesteak.
If you add tomato sauce to a Philly cheesesteak, the cheesesteak may be called a “pizza steak” since the flavors of the beef and cheese would be lost in the tomato sauce.
Do You Put Condiments On A Philly Cheesesteak?
Normally, you do not need to put condiments on a Philly cheesesteak since a Philly cheesesteak’s cheese, onions, and peppers are usually more than enough.
However, you can add other condiments to a Philly cheesesteak if you are not satisfied with the flavor of your cheesesteak.
What Kind Of Condiments Do You Put On A Cheesesteak?
Other than ketchup, you can put a variety of other condiments on your cheesesteak, which includes hot sauce, mustard, and horseradish.
Moreover, you do not have to stop at condiments since you can add pickles, peppers, garlic, and more to a cheesesteak.
What Is On A Real Philly Cheesesteak?
If you are asking a person from Philidelphia, they would probably state that a real Philly cheesesteak has ribeye steak, a hoagie roll, provolone cheese, and fried peppers or onions.
Of course, this recipe can slightly vary depending on who makes the Philly cheesesteak, such as different types of cheese or different cuts of beef.
Nevertheless, beef, hoagie rolls, and cheese are staples you need to have in every Philly cheesesteak.
What Is The Best Condiment For A Philly Cheesesteak?
What condiment is best for a Philly cheesesteak highly depends on who you are asking since everyone has different preferences.
For example, Philadelphia citizens may state that a Philly cheesesteak does not need any condiments at all, so there is no best condiment for cheesesteaks.
Read our related articles to learn about ketchup on bread, a list of ketchup brands, and the types of ketchup.
Conclusion
Typically, a cheesesteak does not require ketchup because a great-tasting Philly cheesesteak will have melted cheese, onions, and peppers, creating enough flavor that does not need ketchup.
Moreover, most people from Philidelphia will tell you that you should never put ketchup on a cheesesteak since it would ruin the flavor of the cheesesteak.
However, you may add ketchup to a Philly cheesesteak if you want to, especially if you got a somewhat dry or bland cheesesteak.