The Philly cheesesteak is a regional sandwich that’s now beloved throughout the United States. But the chopped cheese? It’s a NYC staple that’s just starting to get attention elsewhere. That’s a good thing if you ask me, because chopped cheese is irresistible!
What Is a Chopped Cheese?
Chopped cheese is a New York City favourite made with griddle-cooked ground beef mixed with onions and melted American cheese, then served on a hoagie roll. It’s very similar to a cheeseburger in flavor and ingredients, but the key differences are that the meat is loose rather than formed into a patty, and it’s served on an oblong roll rather than a round bun. There’s debate about exactly where in NYC the chopped cheese originated—many say it was first made by the Blue Sky Deli in Harlem—but these days, it’s found in bodegas across the city.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why this chopped cheese is destined to become a favourite:
Quick and Easy. There’s really nothing to this recipe! Plus, the loose vegan ground beef cooks up much faster than a patty. Delicious. If you love a classic burger, then you’ll love a chopped cheese too! Vegan. While there are now many vegan bodega options in NYC, if you aren’t local now you can make one yourself.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
Hoagie buns – in a pinch you can use hot dog buns. Vegan butter – Store-bought or homemade vegan butter. Ketchup Vegan mayonnaise – Buy your favourite brand or make your own vegan mayonnaise. Vegan cheddar cheese – I used Violife. Onion Vegan ground beef – I used Beyond Meat. Salt and pepper Chopped lettuce – Save yourself some prep time and buy a bag of pre-chopped lettuce or grab some from your grocery store’s salad bar. Tomatoes
How to Make a Chopped Cheese Sandwich
Here’s how simple it is to make a vegan chopped cheese sandwich:
Prepare the buns. Slice the buns in half. Toast them lightly, then spread a tablespoon of ketchup on one half and a tablespoon of mayonnaise on the other. Cook the onion. Melt the butter in a skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 3 minutes, or until softened. Cook the vegan beef. Transfer the onion to a small bowl, then cook the ground beef in the skillet according to the package directions.
Finish the vegan beef. Add the onion back to the skillet. Stir it in with the beef and break up any clumps of meat with a wooden spoon. Melt the cheese. Add the sliced cheese on top of the beef mixture. Cover the skillet, turn off the heat, and let the steam melt the cheese. Assemble. Divide the meat mixture onto the halves of the buns with the mayo and add the lettuce and tomatoes to the other halves. Press the two halves together and serve.
Tips for Success
These hints and tips will help you achieve chopped cheese perfection!
Toast the buns in the skillet. When toasting buns, you want the tops to remain soft, which means popping them in the toaster oven won’t work because it will toast both sides. The best way to toast buns is in the skillet before you start the rest of the recipe. Don’t skip the mayo. It will help keep your chopped cheese filling from falling out! Use a vegan cheese that melts. This is also important for keeping your filling together. Some vegan cheeses are better melters than others.
Variations
Just like a traditional veggie burger, there are endless ways to make this chopped cheese sandwich recipe your own.
Add some heat with hot sauce or pickled jalapeños. Sauté the onion with sliced mushrooms to work in some extra veggies. Top your chopped cheese with pickles or relish. Swap the vegan ground beef with crumbled tempeh for a less-processed version of this recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Chopped cheese sandwiches are best served warm with a side of chips or fries. You can use store-bought, but if you’re feeling ambitious, try my Air Fryer Veggie Chips, Sweet Potato Fries, or Air Fryer Shoestring Fries.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover chopped cheese filling can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Warm it up in the microwave or in a skillet, then assemble your sandwiches.
Can Chopped Cheese Sandwiches Be Frozen?
Chopped cheese filling can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat according to the instructions above.
More Vegan Sandwich Ideas
Vegan BLT Sandwich Caprese Sandwich with Parsley Pesto Vegan Pulled Mushroom Sandwiches Smashed Chickpea Avocado Sandwich Vegan Quinoa Cauliflower Burgers
Enjoy friends! If you make this chopped cheese sandwich, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
