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Healthy Philly Cheese Steak Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Every New Year many people have make being healthier and more fit a resolution, and I’m no exception. Luckily, there are so many tasty recipes that are both delicious and low in fat that no one ever really needs to feel hungry just to get in shape. One of my favorite ways to cook is to make healthier versions of favorite meals that are traditionally not so low-fat.

We recently have been looking into taking a family trip to Philadelphia for a family road trip, and it put me in mind of one of my favorite treats: Philly Cheese Steaks. I absolutely love them, but I never understood why such fatty meat would be used, when a healthier, less fattening but super tasty cut of meat would be better. My recipe changes out a few typical ingredients and Cooper deli cheese.

healthy philly cheese steak lettuce wraps

If you never tried Cooper Cheese before, a bit of history about it:

Cooper cheese has been around since 1893, when I.C. Cooper, a prominent banker from Teresa, New York, began selling aged cheese under the Cooper label. In 1945, the Cooper Victory label (C.V. Sharp) was developed in honor of World War II veterans. The Cooper brand was acquired by Schreiber Foods from HP Hood Co. and Mid America Dairymen in 1985, and aside from the wooden boxes previously used, Cooper cheese has not changed throughout the years – not even its packaging. They have remained true to delivering a high-quality product since 1893.

Cooper Cheese is available in three different varieties: White American, Yellow American and Cracked Black Pepper. Even though we’ve all had American cheese, this isn’t your average American cheese. It’s delicious, a bit sharper, full of flavor, and I chose the Cooper White American cheese for this recipe, because it has a wonderfully mild flavor that makes it a popular choice for Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches.

Philly Cheese Steaks Lettuce Wraps Recipe

how to make healthy philly cheese steak lettuce wraps recipe

Ingredients
1 lb beef (tri-tip steak), coursely chopped
2 tbs olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 cup chopped baby portobello mushrooms
1 large green bell pepper, sliced
Cooper Yellow American Deli Cheese, thickly sliced (about 4)
Romaine lettuce leaves

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring until softly caramelized, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and pepper, and stir together about 5 minutes. Set aside.
2. In skillet, cook steak until browned to taste (we cooked until well done). Add onion, mushroom, pepper mix back into skillet and stir together.
3. Turn off heat and divide Philly cheese steak mix into sections in skillet. Place a slice of Cooper cheese onto each section and let melt for a couple of minutes.
4. Layer romaine lettuce leaves (two to a wrap) on plate or parchment paper and scoop a portion of Philly cheese steak mixture with cheese into each lettuce wrap.

healthy philly cheese steak lettuce wraps

This Philly Cheese Steak lettuce wrap recipe is low carb and lower fat, so if you love Philly Cheese Steaks, you don’t have to go without. My husband asked me to make his with Cooper Crakced Black Pepper cheese for a bit of kick (it’s spicy!) and I went the traditional way for mine. They are delicious.

healthy philly cheese steak recipe

Notes: I used premium black angus tri-tip steak for this recipe because it’s a delicious bottom sirloin cut that is full of flavor, but lower in fat. In order to make it easier to cut the beef cross diagonally, I put the steak in the freezer for 15 minutes before cutting it to firm it up a bit (it makes it much easier).

Check out my other Cooper cheese recipes for holiday party appetizers, “Loaded Double Baked Potatoes” and “Baked Beans Chicken Casserole” and a favorite winter comfort food, “White Chicken Chili“.

If you are looking to wrap up these delicious wraps, we used brown parcel paper here.




  • I love the way you made these and I’m glad you explained the way the cheese tasted because I would have poo-poo’d American otherwise!

  • I need to incorporate lettuce leafs into my diet and cut out the bread… this would be an excellent way to do that! A great substitution!

  • This is a great idea. Hubs can’t have gluten anymore and I’m sure he misses cheese steaks. Time to surprise him!

  • You know I’ve never made a lettuce wrap before, and now I’m wondering why not?! That is such a healthier way to eat a wrap instead of with bread.

  • I’ve just made, myself, what is, quite possibly, the greatest – greatest – philly cheese steak sandwich ever. And I’ve had Pat’s in Philadelphia. I haven’t made anything this good in years.

  • Those look delicious – I would love to have them for lunch today.

  • Delicious. I might just put it in a tortilla or something. This comes just in time for lunch, too.

  • These look delicious!

  • Making it into a lettuce wrap? That’s fantastic! At In-n-Out burger, we order the protein-style which basically means they put the burger in lettuce instead of a bun. It tastes much better and is refreshing!

  • We love Philly cheese steak sandwiches. I never thought about adding them to a lettuce wrap, but will now. Yours looks delicious.

  • This looks so easy and delicious! I’ll definitely be making this over the weekend!

  • Great recipe to help reduce carbs

  • I’m such a big fan of lettuce wraps. Way to make a philly cheese steak healthier!

  • Mmmm, the idea of enjoying a classic Philly while keeping the carb count low is certainly a delicious idea!

  • Very creative, I love that you wrapped it in lettuce.

  • I love that these still look super delicious without being so heavy!

  • Yum! I love lettuce wraps! I need to try it as a philly chese steak.

  • I don’t even think I would miss the bread with this. Looks delish!

  • Oh these looks great I so love the combination of cool crisp lettuce and hot food.

  • YUM, I love that you used lettuce as the wrap. I have got to try this.

  • I’ve never done lettuce wraps, just cabbage. Looks delicious.

  • I still have never tried a lettuce wrap. They look delicious!

  • My husband would probably love this recipe. He LOVES Philly Cheese Steak.

  • lauren jonczak

    Mmm, this is such a great idea! My boyfriend just ordered meat online and I have been dying to try something new. Thanks so much for this recipe, I can’t wait to try this this weekend. I would have never thought to use lettuce as the wrap.

  • I’ve been looking for a healthier alternative and this one looks great, thanks!