If you’re looking for the best beef for roast beef sandwiches, it really comes down to how you like your meat. Whether you’re a business, an individual at home or a chef in training – looking for good quality roast beef is of the utmost importance. This is because roast beef can be used in numerous culinary delights that can please young and old alike.
LEFTOVER ROAST BEEF SANDWICH RECIPE
Leftover Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe
My Leftover Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe will change the way you use roast beef leftovers! This easy ciabatta sandwich recipe, complete with homemade remoulade sauce, cream cheese, and caramelized onions, is the best way to use leftover roast beef.
BEST ROAST BEEF SANDWICH RECIPE
Roast beef is one of my family’s favorite dinners, whether we’re enjoying a prime rib for the holidays or a pot roast during the week. But, with any roast beef recipe, there are always leftovers!
One of my personal favorite ways to use leftover roast beef is to make a hot roast beef sandwich. There is nothing quite like a super flavorful sandwich with roast beef leftovers. Even better if you make the sauce and toppings from scratch!
This leftover roast beef sandwich recipe is my secret to getting the most out of leftovers. I make it using a homemade remoulade sauce and caramelized onions, and it stands out as the best beef sandwich I have ever had. It’s amazing for pot roast or as an idea for Prime Rib Leftovers.
I guarantee you will feel the same way with just one bite!
HOT ROAST BEEF SANDWICH FAQ
WHAT GOES WELL WITH ROAST BEEF ON A SANDWICH?
Classic roast beef sandwiches include cheese and onions, which is what led to the creation of my roast beef sandwich recipe. Cream cheese is an incredible choice for a roast beef sandwich, paired with spicy remoulade sauce and homemade caramelized onions. Optionally, you can add a tomato. Serve it all on a sandwich roll such as ciabatta, and enjoy.
WHAT CHEESE GOES BEST WITH ROAST BEEF SANDWICH?
Roast beef pairs well with blue cheese, cheddar, asiago, fontina, gouda, and creamy cheese sauces. Cream cheese is an amazing replacement for sliced cheese on a roast beef sandwich, as it pairs perfectly with the beef.
WHAT CUT OF ROAST IS BEST FOR ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES?
You can use any leftover roast beef to make roast beef sandwiches. The typical choice for sliced roast beef on a sandwich is deli-style roast beef made using top loin, eye of round roast, and top sirloin. However, you can even use leftover pot roast to make this sandwich recipe.
IS ROAST BEEF SANDWICH BETTER HOT OR COLD?
Whether you enjoy a roast beef sandwich hot or cold is up to preference. You can serve this recipe as a hot roast beef sandwich by toasting it after assembling.
VARIATIONS
Remoulade sauce and caramelized onions are not the only way you can enjoy an incredible leftover roast beef sandwich recipe! Here are a few of my favorite variations on this leftovers sandwich:
- Roast beef sandwich with horseradish sauce: Prepare creamy horseradish sauce to use as sauce for the sandwich (no cooking required). Pair with cheddar cheese and arugula, and enjoy cold or as a hot roast beef sandwich by warming it slightly.
- Arby’s roast beef sandwich/Arby’s beef and cheddar: Make your homemade roast beef sandwich into one like the classic from Arby’s by preparing it with a toasted sesame seed bun, cheddar cheese sauce (see: how to make cheese sauce), and copycat red ranch sauce. To make the red ranch sauce, combine ½ cup ketchup with 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, ⅛ teaspoon onion powder, and 3 Tablespoons sugar. Double for enough to make 4 sandwiches. For best results, heat in a saucepan over medium-heat after mixing, then cool. Alternatively, use a variety of Country French dressing.
- Au jus sandwich: Make it a french dip sandwich by heating au jus sauce for dipping and serving it hot with melted provolone, Swiss, or Mozzarella cheese.
BEST ROAST BEEF SANDWICH WITH ARBY’S SAUCE
The Roast Beef Sandwich is a classic American sandwich made popular by diners and chain restaurants such as Arby’s. This homemade sandwich is so delicious and fairly simple, made with slices of meaty roast beef, veggies, sauces and melted cheese. You can customize it with all your favorite toppings and can be eaten hot or cold.
What makes Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich so special? It’s all in the sauce! Arby’s Horsey sauce is slightly spicy, slightly zesty and full of creamy horseradish flavor. Now, you can make your very own Roast Beef Sandwich at home, complete with a tasty sauce that’s super easy to make. If you’ve got leftover roast beef from Sunday dinner, there’s no better way to use it!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
- Kaiser Rolls or Similar Buns
- Sliced Roast Beef
- Cheese Slices
- Arugula or Microgreens
- Tomato
- Salt and Pepper
- Toppings such as sautéed onions or fresh red onions
- Arby’s Sauce: Made of creamed horseradish, mayo, sour cream and mustard
WHAT CUT OF BEEF IS BEST FOR ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES?
Ideally, the meat for your roast beef sandwich should be quite lean without being too chewy. A top loin roast is perhaps your very best option, giving you lots of flavor without too much fat. For more economical options that taste just as great, try using bottom loin or eye round steaks.
WHICH TOPPINGS SHOULD I PUT ON MY ROAST BEEF SANDWICH?
Toppings make all the difference when it comes to your roast beef sandwich! Looking for the tastiest toppings to elevate this simple meal? You can’t go wrong with a slice or two of your favorite cheese. Provolone and Swiss cheeses melt easily for an indulgent addition to your sandwich. Other popular toppings include crunchy microgreens, slices of creamy avocado slightly-sweet caramelized onions.
WHAT KIND OF CHEESE IS BEST FOR THIS RECIPE?
We usually opt for Provolone cheese due to its flavor and “melt-ability” but you’ve got quite a few options here. Gouda, Asiago, Swiss and Mozzarella are all delicious options. In general, a white cheese that melts is your best bet for an irresistible roast beef sandwich.
WHAT BREAD SHOULD I USE?
For a classic roast beef sandwich like they serve at Arby’s, try to get Kaiser rolls. These simple, round rolls are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. If you can’t get these rolls, there’s no need to worry. Any round bread/roll from a local bakery or grocery store will do the trick. The star of the show is the meaty roast beef, so don’t be too fussy about your bread.
WHICH CONDIMENTS ARE BEST FOR A ROAST BEEF SANDWICH?
There’s nothing quite like the tangy, spicy, zesty taste of horseradish sauce on a roast beef sandwich. For some reason, roast beef and horseradishes are a match made in taste bud heaven! Other tasty condiment options include mayo (plain or spicy), Dijon mustard or sour cream. Feel free to play around with your favorite sauces – roast beef tastes great with nearly everything!
HOW TO MAKE ROAST BEEF SANDWICH
- (Optional) Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add onions and sauté for about 10 minutes or until soften, adding balsamic vinegar halfway. Once the onions are nicely brown and caramelized, remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the horseradish, mayo, sour cream and mustard. Set aside.
- Set up an assembly station by laying out the roast beef, cheese slices, arugula, sliced tomato, onions, sauce and buns.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the buns lightly with olive oil. Then put them in the hot oven or griddle for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Spread the horseradish cream sauce onto the bottom buns. Sprinkle on some arugula or greens. Add several slices of roast beef followed by some salt and pepper. Layer on the caramelized onions, cheese, tomatoes and a few more greens. Add the tops of the buns and serve.
TIPS FOR A HOT ROAST BEEF SANDWICH
This versatile sandwich can be enjoyed hot or cold. For those who like a hot roast beef sandwich, the appeal is in the warm bread and the melted cheese. Brush your rolls with butter or olive oil and toast them in the oven or on the griddle. Next, spread your condiments and assemble the roast beef and toppings on your sandwich.
WHAT GOES WITH BEEF SANDWICHES?
Beef up your sandwich with these tasty side dishes! Roast beef sandwiches are great on their own, but you can take things to the next level with any one of these additions. We love French fries or potato wedges with a roast beef sandwich and these can easily be prepared at home. Cole slaw, mashed or roasted potatoes and steamed veggies are other delicious options for you to enjoy with your roast beef sandwich.
America’s Best Roast Beef Sandwiches
No Bum Steers Here
When you’re in need of comfort food, roast beef sandwiches are a satisfying, classic solution. While they appear all over the United States, there are plenty of regional variations and famous renditions worth exploring. In the Midwest, pot-roast-style beef is served open-face on bread covered in gravy, and roast beef po’boys are popular on the Gulf Coast. From Baltimore pit beef to California tri-tip, here are some drool-worthy roast beef sandwiches lauded by critics and reviewers.
Mr. Beef on Orleans
Chicago
What to order: Italian beef
The Italian beef sandwich is as important to Chicagoans as the Chicago hot dog. At Mr. Beef on Orleans, which has been around since 1979, they roast beef in Italian seasonings, slice it thinly, and let it get happy in its own juice while waiting to be eaten. Get your sandwich “dipped” if you want it completely soaked in delicious au jus, and opt for the spicy giardiniera peppers instead of the sweet roasted bell peppers. Check out the celebrity photos on the walls while you try not to drip on your shirt.
Defonte’s
Brooklyn, New York
What to order: Hot roast beef
New York City has some of the best Italian sub shops in the country. Defonte’s was started by an Italian immigrant almost a century ago, so it’s about as old-school as you can get. Their hot roast beef sandwich is stuffed full of shaved rare roast beef, fresh melty mozzarella cheese slices, and the shop’s specialty: fried eggplant slices. It’s a unique combination worth seeking out and standing in line to get.
Chamberlain’s Roast Beef
Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania
What to order: Roast beef sandwich
Located in the Booths Corner Farmers Market, Chamberlain’s Roast Beef is a small, bare-bones operation, but the roast beef is exceptional. It’s carved by hand off a huge choice top round roast right on the counter, then piled on kaiser rolls baked daily. Since it’s hand sliced, the beef is relatively thick, leading to a hearty meal. The beef is topped with cheese and a splash of au jus, plus there’s horseradish at the table.
Kelly’s Roast Beef
Revere, Massachusetts
What to order: Surf and turf
Roast beef sandwiches are a way of life in the Boston area, and Kelly’s Roast Beef is one of the original purveyors. It opened in 1951, and still operates the same walk-up-window location on the beach in Revere, along with a few others in the area. Order a Surf and Turf and get the two things Kelly’s is known for: a lobster roll and a roast beef sandwich. The seeded roll the thinly sliced beef is piled on is grilled and crusty, making it perfect to sop up any condiments you like.
Pioneer Pit Beef
Baltimore
What to order: Super pit beef
Pit beef is ubiquitous in the Baltimore area, and it’s generally a simple sandwich of charcoal-roasted beef on a bun. At Pioneer Pit Beef, they offer pit beef at whatever doneness you prefer — stick with medium-rare if you’re a beef lover — and sliced thinly on a meat slicer. It’s piled on three different size sandwiches, then topped with whatever you like from a long list of sauces and toppings. Since it’s only a shack, eat it on the picnic tables outside, or take it to go.
Ray’s Place
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
What to order: Roast beef sandwich with cheese
Ray’s Place is a quintessential Wisconsin dive bar with taxidermy on the walls, an unpretentious attitude, and lots of regulars. It offers only a few things: roast beef and ham sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and a few soups. The roast beef is hot, falling-apart tender, and dripping with juice. It can get messy, especially since it’s served on a piece of parchment paper and a napkin, but that’s okay. Upgrade with a thick slice of cheese for a real Wisconsin touch, and add some of the bar’s homemade horseradish mustard for heat.
Sill’s Cafe
Layton, Utah
What to order: Hot beef
Although most people go to Sill’s Cafe for the Utah-style, deep-fried scones topped with honey butter, the hot beef sandwich is a popular and more filling meal. It’s open-face, with sliced, well-done beef served on toast with mashed potatoes and generous ladles of dark brown gravy smothering the whole thing. It’s hearty, stick-to-your-ribs food. Order one of those huge scones to take home with you.
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
New Orleans
What to order: Hot roast beef poor boy
When people think of po’boy sandwiches, they usually think of fried oysters or shrimp. But roast beef po’boys are just as common and delicious. Parkway has been serving po’boys in NOLA since the 1920s, and it’s got one of the best hot roast beef versions in town. The beef is cooked so long that it’s shredded and soaked in gravy, but that means it’s also incredibly tender and packed with flavor. Get it “dressed” to add lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo.
HoneyHole Sandwiches
Seattle
What to order: The Gooch
HoneyHole is a funky, eclectic bar and sandwich joint that’s been serving for over 20 years. All the sandwich meats and fillings — including the roasted tri-tip beef that goes into the Gooch — are made from scratch. The beef is sliced and topped with sharp cheddar cheese, red onions, and horseradish mayo on a baguette, and served with a side of au jus for dipping. The bread is crusty and the cheese is melty, making for a great rainy weather meal.