Beef Manhattan is a quintessential American comfort food that has been satisfying appetites for over 70 years. This hearty, savory dish features tender beef, creamy mashed potatoes, and rich gravy—the perfect combination for a cold winter night. Though Beef Manhattan traces its origins to the Midwest, it has become a staple across diners and home kitchens nationwide.
A Brief History of Beef Manhattan
While Beef Manhattan evokes images of the bustling streets of New York City, the dish actually originated in Indianapolis, Indiana. Local legend has it that the sandwich was created in the late 1940s at a deli near the Naval Ordnance Plant. Workers who had been trained on the Norden bombsight in Manhattan, New York returned home craving the open-faced roast beef sandwiches they had enjoyed on the East Coast. Attempting to recreate the sandwich, the cooks in Indianapolis devised what we now know as Beef Manhattan. It quickly caught on as a local favorite.
Other tales trace Beef Manhattan even farther back to the early 1900s. As the story goes, a cook accidentally dropped a roast beef sandwich into a pan of gravy fished it out, plated it over mashed potatoes and named his concoction after the borough of New York. While the exact origins are uncertain, one thing is clear Beef Manhattan has been satisfying Midwestern appetites for generations.
Traditional Ingredients in Beef Manhattan
At its core, Beef Manhattan consists of only a few simple ingredients:
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Bread Traditionally white bread or another soft sliced bread Brioche or challah would also be delicious
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Roast beef: Slow-cooked pot roast, brisket, or even deli roast beef work beautifully. For pot roast, chuck roast or bottom round roast are great economical choices.
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Mashed potatoes: Fluffy, creamy potatoes are key. Russets or Yukon Golds are perfect.
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Gravy: A flavorful, hearty beef gravy pulls everything together. Making gravy from the beef drippings adds next-level flavor.
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Butter: A pat on top of the bread adds a nice touch.
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Fresh parsley (optional): Brightens up the potatoes.
That’s it! Though simple, these ingredients meld into the ultimate comfort food when combined.
How to Assemble a Beef Manhattan
Constructing a Beef Manhattan is simple, though order is key. Here is one easy method:
- Toast one slice of bread, spread with butter, and place buttered-side-up on the plate.
- Pile 1/2 – 3/4 cup shredded or sliced roast beef on top of the toast.
- Spoon prepared mashed potatoes over the beef.
- Finally, smother everything in piping hot beef gravy. The mound of potatoes should peek through the gravy.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
And that’s it – Beef Manhattan in all its glory! Some diners serve it open-faced with just a single slice of bread on the bottom. Others opt for an additional bread slice on top. Both ways work beautifully.
For an over-the-top indulgent dish, add crispy fried onion straws on top. Cheese lovers might mix shredded cheddar into the mashed potatoes. The possibilities are endless with this flexible recipe.
Tips for Making the Best Beef Manhattan
A few simple tips will take your Beef Manhattan from great to spectacular:
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Cook the beef low and slow. Braising a chuck roast or brisket for 2-3 hours renders it fork-tender.
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Make the gravy from the beef drippings. Scrape up all the browned bits from the beef then whisk together a simple roux. Beefy gravy is a must!
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Use Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. They have the right starch content for light, creamy mashed potatoes.
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Finish the potatoes with butter and cream. Milk works, but heavy cream takes them over the top.
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Toast the bread. A quick toast adds crunch and keeps the bread from getting soggy.
Follow those guidelines and your Beef Manhattan will be crave-worthy. Treat your family or impress guests at your next dinner party with this American classic.
Regional Variations to Try
While Beef Manhattan remains true to its roots in the Midwest, cooks across the country have put their own spin on the dish:
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Poor Man’s Beef Manhattan: Swap pot roast for ground beef cooked in the slow cooker or skillet. An economical take on the original.
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Turkey Manhattan: For a lighter option, use roasted turkey breast instead of beef. Chicken would also work beautifully.
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Open-faced: Eliminate the top slice of bread for an open-faced sandwich.
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Sherried Beef Manhattan: Add a cup of sherry to the pot roast while it braises for extra flavor.
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Crockpot Beef Manhattan: Cook the roast low and slow in a crockpot on the countertop instead of the oven.
From Kentucky to California, you may find variations on this American classic. But the basic premise remains the same – tender meat blanketed in gravy and potatoes. Simple and satisfying.
Why Americans Love Beef Manhattan
What makes Beef Manhattan so enduringly popular across the United States? A few reasons:
It’s simple, yet special. Using just pantry staples, Beef Manhattan seems indulgent. The nuanced gravy and slow-cooked meat elevate simple ingredients.
It’s comfort food at its finest. The beef, potatoes and gravy create a hearty, homey meal that warms you from the inside out.
It brings people together. Serve Beef Manhattan at a family dinner or a neighborhood potluck. This dish always draws a crowd!
It’s a taste of nostalgia. For many Midwesterners, Beef Manhattan recalls childhood dinners around the table or cozy meals at corner diners.
It’s a blank canvas for creativity. You can customize Beef Manhattan with different meats, toppings, and sides while retaining the essence.
From third-generation family recipes to trendy gastropub spins, Beef Manhattan remains a staple because it’s just so satisfying. This American classic is here to stay.
Give Beef Manhattan a Try!
From its humble Midwestern origins to modern interpretations around the country, Beef Manhattan remains as beloved as ever. This hearty open-faced sandwich truly brings comfort and joy to every meal. I hope you’ll give making Beef Manhattan a try soon and see for yourself why Americans have cherished this dish for generations. Just be careful – you might find yourself craving it every week! Your family will surely request this saucy, savory treat time and time again.
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Beef Manhattan in the Crockpot
FAQ
Why is it called a Beef Manhattan?
The dish was named by Naval Ordnance Plant Indianapolis (NOPI) workers who were trained on a fabrication of the Norden Bombsight in Manhattan during World War II. They enjoyed the open-faced sandwich they had in Manhattan and brought it back to their cafeteria as the “Beef Manhattan”.
What cut of beef is a Manhattan?
The Manhattan, also known as a New York filet, has the shape of a filet mignon but possesses the marbling and firm bite of a strip steak. SRF Gold® beef has an incredible amount of marbling so these New York filets are exceptionally juicy and full of flavor.
What is another name for a Manhattan roast?
Consider a Manhattan roast the shareable size of a New York strip or Delmonico steak. Some even call it a New York strip roast. Each Manhattan strip roast is hand-tied with kitchen twine to create a uniform shape that cooks evenly and lends an artisanal touch to this elegant cut.
What does a Beef Manhattan look like?
The roast beef is sliced and put on the bread like a sandwich, then cut corner to corner and plated in a V shape. Mashed potatoes are served between the two halves, and the whole is covered in gravy.
What is a beef Manhattan Sandwich?
In some cases, there can be a slice of bread on the bottom, layered with beef and then another layer of bread, topped with mashed potatoes and gravy, but the traditional dish is known for being open-faced. All versions of the sandwich are delicious. Beef Manhattans can be made with various kinds of meat.
Can you make beef Manhattan on your own?
Learn all about how you can make this delicious food on your own! What is Beef Manhattan? A beef Manhattan is typically an open-face sandwich made with one slice of bread, beef cooked to perfection, underneath creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy poured all over the entire meal.
Where does Beef Manhattan come from?
Beef Manhattan is a classic dish that originated in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern and Southern regions. It’s been a staple in American diners and home kitchens for generations, and continues to be a beloved comfort food favorite. What beverages pair well with Beef Manhattan?
What is a ‘beef Manhattan’ in Indiana?
In Indiana, the ‘Beef Manhattan’ is served on bread with sliced roast beef put on top, then cut corner to corner and plated in a V shape. The dish was inspired by an open-faced sandwich they had in Manhattan and brought back to their cafeteria.
How do you make beef Manhattan?
Stir in the beef and cook until warm. Bake the garlic bread according to package directions. Heat the mashed potatoes according to package directions. Top the slices of garlic bread with mashed potatoes, beef and gravy. Beef Manhattan is pure comfort food with beef (leftover pot roast) and gravy on top of mashed potatoes and garlic toast.
What is a ‘Manhattan’ in New York City?
The dish that is known as a “Manhattan” in many parts of the United States actually has nothing to do with New York City. The Beef Manhattan started in Indianapolis later in the 1940s, in a small deli.