A roast beef sandwich is a hearty and delicious meal, but what really takes it to the next level is packing it with flavorful ingredients While roast beef on plain bread is fine, you can make it so much better with the right condiments, vegetables, cheeses and other toppings. In this article, I’ll share 26 of my favorite items to elevate any roast beef sandwich.
Sauces and Spreads
A sauce or spread acts as the foundation to bring the sandwich together It adds moisture and flavor between the bread and beef
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Horseradish sauce – Creamy prepared horseradish mixed with mayo, Greek yogurt or sour cream gives a nice spicy kick.
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Mustard – Yellow, Dijon, honey, whole grain…so many mustard varieties pair well with roast beef. Spread it on the bread or mix into a sauce.
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Mayonnaise – Classic mayo or flavored varieties like chipotle add a rich, creamy element.
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Aioli – For a gourmet sandwich, make garlic aioli from scratch or use a store-bought version.
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Barbecue sauce – Sweet, smoky barbecue sauce complements the hearty beef flavor beautifully.
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Pesto – Swirl in some basil or sun-dried tomato pesto for a burst of herby flavor.
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Chimichurri – This bright green sauce made with parsley, garlic and olive oil makes a unique roast beef sandwich spread.
Delicious Cheeses
Cheese takes the sandwich up a notch by adding creamy texture and a boost of flavor. Sharp, nutty and pungent cheeses pair especially nicely with roast beef.
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Provolone – With its mild tang, provolone melts beautifully on a hot roast beef sandwich.
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Swiss – Nutty, slightly sweet Swiss cheese is a classic choice.
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Cheddar – For a sharp flavor, go for cheddar, white cheddar or extra sharp cheddar.
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Blue cheese – Crumbles of bold blue cheese add a nice bite.
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Pepper jack – Spicy pepper jack cheese brings on some pleasant heat.
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Gouda – Its smooth, rich flavor makes gouda an excellent addition.
Fresh Vegetables
Don’t forget the veggies! Piling on fresh produce adds texture, color and nutrients.
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Lettuce – Crisp lettuce like iceberg or romaine provides fresh crunch.
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Tomatoes – Sliced red tomatoes offer sweetness and moisture.
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Onions – Red, yellow, white or grilled onions lend great flavor.
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Pickles – Dill chips, bread & butter chips or other pickled vegetables cut the richness.
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Roasted red peppers – Sweet roasted red peppers add interest.
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Pepperoncini – These spicy pickled peppers perk everything up.
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Spinach – Fresh spinach gives a healthy boost.
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Sprouts – Alfalfa and other sprouts contribute crunch and earthiness.
Crunchy Extras & Add-Ons
Take your roast beef sandwich to the next level with these tasty mix-ins:
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Bacon – A few slices of crispy bacon lend smoky, salty flavor.
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Avocado – Creamy, rich avocado perfectly balances the beef.
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Caramelized onions – Sweet caramelized onions provide the best flavor.
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Fried onions – Onion straws or crispy fried onions deliver texture.
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Jalapeños – For spice lovers, add fresh sliced jalapeños.
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Giardiniera – An Italian chopped veggie mix offers tang and crunch.
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Marinated vegetables – Pickled pepperoncini, peppers, etc bring brightness.
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Potato chips – A small handful of potato chips contributes satisfying crunch.
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Coleslaw – Cool, creamy coleslaw complements the hot meat.
Breads & Rolls
The bread you choose is key for building the perfect roast beef sandwich:
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French bread – The classic choice, crusty French or Italian bread is ideal.
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Baguette – For a rustic sandwich, use a crispy baguette.
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Ciabatta – Soft inside, chewy crust makes ciabatta a great option.
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Sub roll – These soft Italian-style rolls cradle the fillings nicely.
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Croissant – Flaky, buttery croissants impart elegance.
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Rye bread – For a Reuben vibe, use sliced rye bread.
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Brioche bun – Sweet, tender brioche buns taste upscale.
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Kaiser roll – Kaiser rolls with their signature crusty tops work well.
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Wheat bread – For health, pick multigrain or whole wheat bread.
With premium roast beef as your base, the possibilities are endless for constructing an incredible sandwich. I hope these 26 topping ideas inspire you to get creative with new flavor combinations! A stacked roast beef sandwich piled high with your favorite ingredients makes for an utterly satisfying meal.
How to Make the Perfect Beef Roast
I love using a cast iron skillet for roasts. It’s the perfect size, easy to clean, heats evenly, and makes sure your beef roast is cooked to tender perfection. I don’t sear this particular roast, but if you do, you can sear it in the large skillet and transfer straight to the oven since it’s oven-safe. I use mine constantly and highly recommend this crazy affordable Lodge cast iron skillet.
Another thing I always use when making a roast is this meat thermometer. Makes it easy to check the internal temperature of the meat and takes all the guesswork out of knowing when your beef roast is done.
If you’re worried that making beef roast for the sole purpose of putting it in a roast beef sandwich is like wearing your prom dress to work, think again. You can get your roast in the oven in under 5 minutes, and have your roast beef sandwich 40 minutes later, and it is world’s above the roast beef from your grocery store deli counter.
When choosing bread for this sandwich, it is important to consider the texture. The bread should be sturdy enough to hold up to the weight of the roast beef and other toppings.
I like to use ciabatta or baguette for this recipe since I like a chewy roll for roast beef. However, you can use any type of bread that you like, such as hoagie rolls, any French bread, rye, or even a regular sandwich bun.
I use top round roast for this recipe but you can use any other inexpensive cut like a bottom round, or eye of round roast.
Be sure to let the roast rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing, and slice it thin so it’s as tender as possible. Toast your roll and add the warm beef for a hot roast beef sandwich, or make yourself some cold cuts for a cold sandwich.
Boursin cheese is a creamy, crumbly, spreadable cheese that comes in a few different flavors. I personally love using the herb and garlic flavor for this roast beef sandwich recipe.
If you love Boursin cheese like me – I bet you will also love this Boursin Chicken recipe. I even put it on pizza!
Red onion is a good choice for this roast beef sandwich because it adds a bit of sweetness and crunch. You can slice it as thinly or thickly as you like.
Caramelized onions would also taste great in this roast beef sandwich recipe, if you want to go the extra mile.
Arugula is a peppery green that has a slightly bitter flavor and a crunchy texture. Arugula is a good choice for this roast beef sandwich because it adds a nice contrast to the other flavors. However, you can use any type of greens that you like, such as fresh lettuce, spinach, or kale.
What Makes a Good Roast Beef Sandwich?
The best roast beef sandwiches start with well-seasoned, medium-rare beef roast, and I don’t mean gray deli meat. I use top round round roast beef, which is an inexpensive cut of meat but perfect for sandwich recipes or as a good old Sunday roast with some au jus or gravy.
The condiments and toppings are really up to you – I have found my two favorites – Boursin cheese and arugula that I believe are perfect for cold – or hot roast beef sandwiches. But you can use fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, caramelized onions, provolone cheese, swiss cheese, and even mozzarella cheese would go great!
A good roast beef sandwich should also have a balance of flavors, with the richness of the beef roast being complemented by the creaminess of the cheese and the crunchiness of the bread and vegetables. So choose your bread, toppings, and condiments according to this.
The 2 Secret Ingredients for the Best Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe are…
FAQ
What condiments for roast beef sandwiches?
- Mayonnaise.
- Freshly grated horseradish (yes, you can use it prepared in a jar)
- Sea salt and pepper.
- Worcestershire sauce.
- Aioli.
- Mustard.
- Chimichurri.
What does roast beef go with in a sandwich?
Stir together the mayonnaise, horseradish and plenty of black pepper in a small bowl. Spread the horseradish mayo over the insides of the bun. Top with the roast beef, cheddar and arugula. Sprinkle the fried onions over the arugula and top with the bun.
What comes on a classic roast beef sandwich?
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Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.orgRoast beef sandwich – WikipediaThe roast beef sandwich also commonly comprises bread, cold roast beef (either the leftovers from a homemade dinner or deli meat), lettuce, tomatoes, and mustar…
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Quorahttps://www.quora.comWhat are some good roast beef sandwich toppings? – QuoraMar 2, 2017 — What is a good sauce for a roast beef sandwich? The classic New York deli roast beef sandwich is a vast amount of very thin sliced rare beef (red, no…
What pairs well with roast beef?
What to put on a roast beef sandwich?
An Italian pickled vegetable mix called giardiniera adds a wonderful crunch and tang to roast beef sandwiches. Look for a mix with cauliflower, carrots, serrano peppers, and other pickled veggies. Spoon it over the beef or serve it on the side. 10. Roasted Red Peppers Sweet roasted red peppers are another delicious sandwich topping.
What is a good topping for a roast beef sandwich?
Similar to onions but with their own unique sweetness, caramelized shallots are another great choice for topping roast beef sandwiches. Cook sliced shallots over low heat until softened and browned for a sophisticated flavor. 13.
What foods go well with roast beef?
Crusty wheat kaiser rolls, grainy flatbreads, pitas, sesame bagels or bread varieties containing rye, pumpernickel or quinoa all contain good amounts of fiber and go well with roast beef. The condiments you add to your roast beef sandwich can boost its nutritional value.
What is a good topping for a sandwich?
Sweet roasted red peppers are another delicious sandwich topping. Available jarred or roasted yourself, they have a juicy texture and smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with savory meats like roast beef. 11. Chimichurri
What is a good cold roast beef sandwich?
Most of them start with plain bread and mayonnaise, maybe some lettuce and tomato. Not this one. It has homemade boules, horseradish cheese that is so creamy it will melt on your tongue, and leftover roast beef. A good cold roast beef sandwich starts with high-quality, thinly sliced roast beef.
What bread goes well with roast beef?
If you normally make a traditional sandwich with slices of bread, try changing it up. Crusty wheat kaiser rolls, grainy flatbreads, pitas, sesame bagels or bread varieties containing rye, pumpernickel or quinoa all contain good amounts of fiber and go well with roast beef.