The three classic cheeses for a Philly cheesesteak are Cheez Whiz, American cheese and provolone. Cheez Whiz creates the creamiest and boldest result, American cheese provides a smooth and mild melt, and provolone delivers a more noticeable natural-cheese flavour.

There is no single cheese that every cheesesteak lover considers correct. The best choice depends on whether you prefer a creamy, mild or sharper sandwich. The most important quality is that the cheese melts evenly and blends with the hot beef instead of remaining as a separate layer.

Philly Cheesesteak Cheese at a Glance

What Are the Three Classic Cheesesteak Cheeses?

Cheez Whiz, American cheese and provolone are the three choices most closely associated with a traditional Philadelphia cheesesteak.

According to Visit Philadelphia’s Cheesesteak 101 guide:

“Generally, the cheese of choice is Cheez Whiz, but American and mild or sharp provolone are common substitutions.”

This means authenticity is not limited to one specific cheese. Each classic option produces a different flavour and texture while preserving the fundamental character of the sandwich.

Cheez Whiz: The Creamiest and Boldest Choice

Cheez Whiz creates the sauciest version of a Philly cheesesteak. Its smooth consistency allows it to spread through the chopped beef, onions and bread, coating almost every bite.

What Does Cheez Whiz Taste Like?

Cheez Whiz has a salty, tangy and distinctly processed-cheese flavour. It is stronger than American cheese but does not have the aged sharpness of provolone.

Choose Cheez Whiz if you want:

• A creamy and messy sandwich
• Cheese distributed throughout the beef
• A bold and salty flavour
• The well-known “Whiz wit” style with fried onions

Cheez Whiz is especially effective when the beef is finely chopped because the sauce can settle into the small spaces between the pieces of meat. However, its strong flavour may overpower subtle seasonings, so it is not automatically the best choice for everyone.

American Cheese: The Smoothest and Most Balanced Option

American cheese is often the safest recommendation for someone trying a cheesesteak for the first time. It melts quickly, coats the beef evenly and has a mild flavour that does not compete with the steak.

What Does American Cheese Add?

American cheese contributes creaminess and enough salt to season the sandwich without turning it into a cheese-sauce-forward meal. Because it softens so evenly, it helps connect the beef, onions and bread into one cohesive bite.

Choose American cheese if you want:

• A mild cheese flavour
• A smooth and consistent melt
• The beef to remain the main flavour
• A less saucy alternative to Cheez Whiz

White and yellow American cheese generally behave similarly when melted. The colour matters less than the cheese’s flavour and ability to melt smoothly into the steak.

Provolone: The Best Choice for More Cheese Flavour

Provolone produces a cheesesteak with a more recognizable natural-cheese flavour. It melts well but usually remains slightly firmer and stretchier than American cheese or Cheez Whiz.

Provolone is available in different intensities. Mild provolone adds a gentle, buttery flavour, while sharp provolone creates a saltier, tangier and more noticeable finish.

Choose provolone if you want:

• A more pronounced cheese flavour
• A slightly stretchy texture
• Less processed character
• The option of choosing between mild and sharp cheese

Mild provolone is the more accessible choice for most diners. Sharp provolone works better for people who want the cheese to stand out against the seasoned beef and onions.

What About Cooper Sharp Cheese?

Cooper Sharp is a sharp American-style cheese that has become a popular cheesesteak option. It combines the creamy melting quality of American cheese with a stronger and more savoury flavour.

It is a useful middle ground for anyone who finds regular American cheese too mild but does not want the firmer texture of sharp provolone.

Cooper Sharp may not be available everywhere, particularly outside the Philadelphia region. When it is unavailable, combining American cheese with a small amount of sharp provolone can create a similar balance of creaminess and flavour.

Can You Use Mozzarella on a Philly Cheesesteak?

Mozzarella melts well and produces an appealing cheese pull, but it is not one of the three standard cheesesteak choices. Its mild flavour can work, although its stretchiness may make the sandwich feel more like a pizza-inspired steak sandwich.

Mozzarella is better suited to diners who prioritize texture over sharp cheese flavour. It can also be combined with provolone, but too much mozzarella may make the filling unusually elastic.

Is Cheddar Good on a Philly Cheesesteak?

Cheddar can be used, but it is not usually the best standalone cheese for a classic Philly cheesesteak.

Aged cheddar may release oil or separate when exposed to high heat. It also has a strong flavour that can dominate the beef. Young or mild cheddar melts more successfully, especially when blended with American cheese.

If cheddar is used, it should be treated as a variation rather than the default traditional choice.

For a broader comparison of cheeses commonly paired with beef, read our guide to burger cheese types.

Which Cheese Melts Best on a Cheesesteak?

American cheese and Cheez Whiz provide the most consistent melt.

Cheez Whiz is already soft and sauce-like, while American cheese melts smoothly without easily separating. Provolone also melts effectively, but its final texture is slightly firmer and more elastic.

For the best result, sliced cheese should be added directly to the hot beef on the griddle. Covering the mixture briefly traps steam and helps the cheese soften before it is folded through the meat.

Avoid placing cold cheese on the sandwich only after the beef has entered the roll. The remaining heat may not be enough to create the integrated texture that distinguishes a good cheesesteak.

Should the Cheese Go Above or Below the Steak?

Both methods can work, but the cheese should ultimately make direct contact with the hot beef.

Placing cheese over the meat on the griddle allows it to melt before the mixture enters the roll. Another method is to line the bread with cheese and place the hot steak on top. Cheez Whiz can be spread inside the roll, poured over the beef or mixed directly into it.

The exact order matters less than the final distribution. Ideally, the cheese should appear throughout the sandwich rather than concentrating in one heavy layer.

Can You Combine Two Cheeses?

Yes. Combining cheeses can improve both flavour and texture, provided the mixture remains simple.

Useful combinations include:

• American and provolone: smooth texture with a more noticeable cheese flavour
• American and Cooper Sharp: creamy, salty and slightly sharper
• Provolone and a small amount of Cheez Whiz: natural-cheese flavour with additional moisture
• American and mild cheddar: balanced melting with a gentle cheddar flavour

Using more than two varieties rarely improves the sandwich. Too many strong cheeses can hide the flavour of the beef and make the filling unnecessarily salty.

What Is the Best Cheese for Each Preference?

Choose your cheese according to the eating experience you want:

• For the creamiest cheesesteak: Cheez Whiz
• For the smoothest and mildest melt: American cheese
• For a stronger natural-cheese flavour: Provolone
• For a sharper but still creamy result: Cooper Sharp
• For the most balanced two-cheese combination: American and provolone

If you are unfamiliar with the sandwich, American cheese is the easiest starting point. If you want the most famous Philadelphia-style experience, choose Cheez Whiz. If cheese flavour is your priority, select provolone.

Does the Cheese Change How You Order a Cheesesteak?

Yes. At traditional cheesesteak shops, customers often state their cheese preference before indicating whether they want fried onions.

For example:

• “Whiz wit” means Cheez Whiz with onions.
• “American witout” means American cheese without onions.
• “Provolone wit” means provolone with onions.

Cheese and onions are separate choices. Selecting one type of cheese does not automatically determine which toppings should accompany it.

For complete ordering terminology and topping options, read our guide to ordering a Philly cheesesteak.

Is a Cheesesteak Without Cheese Still a Cheesesteak?

Strictly speaking, steak served in a long roll without cheese is a steak sandwich rather than a cheesesteak. Melted cheese is one of the defining components of the dish, alongside thinly sliced griddled beef and a sturdy roll.

However, cheesesteaks and general steak sandwiches can vary considerably in meat thickness, toppings, bread and preparation. Our Philly cheesesteak vs steak sandwich comparison explains these differences in greater detail.

Common Cheese Mistakes to Avoid

Even the right cheese can produce a disappointing sandwich if it is handled incorrectly.

Using Cheese That Does Not Melt Well

Very dry, crumbly or heavily aged cheeses may remain separate from the beef or release too much oil.

Adding Too Much Cheese

Cheese should enrich the steak, not bury it. Excess cheese can make the sandwich overly salty and prevent the beef from remaining the central flavour.

Adding Cold Cheese Too Late

Placing thick, refrigerated slices on an assembled sandwich often leaves partially melted sections. Melt the cheese while the beef is still on the hot cooking surface.

Choosing Sharpness Without Considering Balance

Sharp cheese works best when the beef and bread can support it. With heavily seasoned meat or strong toppings, a mild melting cheese may produce a better-balanced result.

Try a Philly Steak Sandwich at Grill Gate

Ready to move from comparison to tasting? Visit your nearest Grill Gate location and enjoy a hot, freshly prepared Philly steak sandwich with melted cheese, seasoned beef and a satisfying combination of flavours.

Find Grill Gate in Richmond Hill, North York–Sheppard, North York–Yonge Street or Aurora and choose the location most convenient for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cheese is traditionally used on a Philly cheesesteak?

Cheez Whiz, American cheese and provolone are the three most widely accepted traditional choices.

Is provolone or American cheese better for a cheesesteak?

American cheese is creamier and milder, while provolone has a firmer texture and more noticeable cheese flavour. Neither is universally better; the choice depends on personal preference.

Is Cheez Whiz required for an authentic Philly cheesesteak?

No. Cheez Whiz is a famous option, but American cheese and provolone are also widely accepted cheesesteak cheeses.

What colour American cheese should I use?

Both white and yellow American cheese can work. Melting performance and flavour matter more than colour.

Can I use Swiss cheese on a Philly cheesesteak?

Swiss cheese can be used for a variation, but its nutty flavour is not typical of a classic Philly cheesesteak.

Can I order a cheesesteak with two cheeses?

Yes. American and provolone make one of the most balanced combinations because American cheese adds creaminess while provolone adds a more noticeable cheese flavour.

Final Verdict: What Cheese Should You Choose?

There is no single mandatory cheese for a Philly cheesesteak. Cheez Whiz, American cheese and provolone are all established choices, but each creates a different experience.

Choose Cheez Whiz for maximum creaminess, American cheese for a smooth and balanced melt, or provolone for a more pronounced cheese flavour. Cooper Sharp is another strong option when you want the melting quality of American cheese with a sharper finish.

The best cheese is ultimately the one that melts into the beef, complements the onions and creates a cohesive bite—not simply the variety with the strongest flavour.