If you’re looking for ideas for roast beef sandwiches, my tailgate cold roast beef sandwich with horseradish cheese is a mouthful that will make you roll your eyes back in your head. It’s great for parties, picnics, and tailgating. For the best roast beef sandwich, start with homemade boule bread that is soft and sturdy. Add thinly sliced roast beef, horseradish cheese spread, and your favorite vegetables.
You’ve never had a roast beef sandwich like this before. 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. But what really takes it to the next level are the toppings and condiments you add. From sweet and tangy to spicy and crunchy, the possibilities are endless for customizing these sandwiches into a mouthwatering meal.
If you’re looking for ways to upgrade your standard cold cut sandwich, here are 15 amazing toppings and ingredient ideas to try
1. Caramelized Onions
Sweet, savory caramelized onions are a no-brainer topper for roast beef sandwiches. Slowly cooking sliced onions in butter or olive oil brings out their natural sweetness and gives them a jammy soft texture that pairs perfectly with rare to medium-rare roast beef. Spread them evenly over the beef for flavor in every bite.
2. Blue Cheese Crumbles
Crumble some tangy robust blue cheese over roast beef to add a sharp creamy flavor contrast. The pungent cheese helps cut through the richness of the meat. For even more texture, add some crispy fried shallots too.
3. Horseradish Cream
Horseradish cream gives your sandwich a spicy, eye-opening kick. Mix prepared horseradish with mayonnaise and a squeeze of lemon juice. Spread it evenly on bread or just add a dollop on top of the beef. The creaminess balances out the burning flavor.
4. Arugula
Fresh, peppery arugula gives your sandwich a bitter, crisp contrast. The sharp, leafy greens stand up well to rich meats like roast beef. Toss the arugula with a lemony vinaigrette for added bright flavor.
5. Oven-Roasted Tomatoes
Plum tomatoes roasted in the oven become incredibly sweet, robust, and caramelized. When layered with roast beef, they add a delicious sweet-tart juiciness that takes the sandwich to the next level.
6. Havarti Cheese
For a more mild cheese flavor, try slices of Havarti on your roast beef sandwich. Havarti has a soft, creamy texture and a buttery, tangy flavor that melts beautifully into the sandwich.
7. Garlic Aioli
Whipping up a quick garlic aioli is one of the easiest ways to give your sandwich a flavor boost. Combine minced garlic with mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and a dash of cayenne pepper for a creamy, tangy spread.
8. Grilled Onions
If you don’t have time for caramelized onions, grilled onions are a quick and delicious alternative. Simply grill sliced onions over high heat until they have nice char marks and have softened. Add them to your sandwich while still warm.
9. Giardiniera
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. Available jarred or roasted yourself, they have a juicy texture and smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with savory meats like roast beef.
11. Chimichurri
Make a quick chimichurri sauce by blending parsley, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, oregano, and red pepper flakes. This fresh, herby green sauce is fantastic drizzled over roast beef sandwiches, adding moisture and a tangy flavor punch.
12. Caramelized Shallots
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. Dijon Mustard
You can’t go wrong with tangy Dijon mustard, especially the whole-grain variety. The coarse mustard seeds give it an extra bite. Slather it evenly over both slices of bread for the perfect combo of creamy and spicy.
14. Bacon Jam
For an unexpected sweet and savory flavor, try bacon jam. This spreadable jam is made from bacon, onions, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices. It tastes incredible in roast beef sandwiches instead of regular mayo.
15. Pickled Jalapeños
If you like some heat, pickled jalapeño slices are a great way to spice up your sandwich. Their tangy flavor and crunchy texture contrast wonderfully with the tender roast beef. Start with just a few slices if you’re sensitive to spice.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to amazing toppings for cold roast beef sandwiches. Whether you go sweet, spicy, herby, or tangy, using high-quality ingredients is key. Elevate your sandwich from boring to brilliant with these mouthwatering ideas.
Make The Horseradish Cheese
Let’s start with the horseradish cheese. When I think of cream cheese, I always think of bagels, not sandwiches. But that’s a mistake, because cream cheese can be turned into anything you want with the right toppings. Unlike a slice of swiss, the cream cheese practically melts on your tongue. A slice of cold cheese can’t give a sandwich flavor like this horseradish cheese spread can. And these easy additions will really open your eyes. Mix cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and chives together to make a sour cream cheese that goes well with cold roast beef.
Best Bread for Tailgate Sandwiches:
For tailgate sandwiches, I prefer to use a round boule-style bread. One that’s soft, but sturdy. A bread that can handle big sandwich fillings and travel time in a cooler. This Amish bread is my favorite for this cold roast beef sandwich. If you don’t have time to make your own, round bakery bread works well too. This Amish bread is beautiful because it has a solid top and a soft, squishable crumb that makes it easy to put all the fillings in this tailgate sandwich.
Spread the horseradish cheese on both sides of the bread. Then add the peppery arugula, thinly sliced roast beef (I used leftover meat from my own roast beef recipe), red onion, and the ripest tomatoes you can find.
If you want to eat the cold roast beef sandwich right away, cut it into wedges and serve. But if you want to take this tailgate sandwich to a game, press it between two flat surfaces and weigh it down with a heavy pot or cast iron skillet (above) for 30 minutes to an hour, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
This will ensure that the sandwich stays together without leaks, drips or tears.
When you get to the venue, cut it into wedges the shape of a pie with a long, sharp bread knife. Note: If you weight the sandwich down as well, the compression will pack the bread and filling into tight layers that you can hold with one hand. This makes it perfect for carrying around at a tailgate. ).
Emily said, “Oh My God!!! This is the best roast beef sandwich I’ve ever had!” when she tried it for the first time. It’s big, meaty, and the horseradish cheese makes it taste tangy and creamy. As soon as we finished our last bite, Em asked if we could make it again for game day. I didn’t see any reason not to.
The next three days, we made this huge thing. Since Scott wasn’t in town the first time, he tried it first and said it was “blog-worthy.”
Homemade bread, thinly sliced roast beef, and horseradish cheese that melts in your mouth are the things that tailgating dreams are made of.
Roast Beef Sandwich | Melissa Clark Recipes | The New York Times
What goes well with a cold roast beef sandwich?
It flavors the sandwich in a way that a slice of cold cheese can’t — and with these simple mix ins, this horseradish cheese spread is a real eye opener. Combine cream cheese, worcestershire sauce and chives into a piquant flavored cream cheese that melds beautifully with the cold roast beef.
What makes a good roast beef sandwich?
The best roast beef sandwich starts with the bread (a soft, sturdy homemade boule) thinly sliced roast beef and a savory horseradish cheese spread, plus your favorite veggies. You’ve never had a roast beef sandwich like this before. Most of them start with plain bread and mayonnaise, maybe some lettuce and tomato. Not this one.
How do you make a good cold roast beef sandwich?
Buttering and toasting the buns warms them just enough to soften and melt the cheese slightly and adds richness to the sandwich. A great cold roast beef sandwich should feature lean, thinly sliced, rosy meat piled so high on a hearty bun that you need two hands to eat it, and very little more.
Which bread is best for a cold roast beef sandwich?
Round bakery bread is a good option if you don’t have time to make your own, but my favorite bread for this cold roast beef sandwich is this Amish bread. The beauty of this Amish bread is the texture — solid but with a soft, squishable crumb which easily handles all the fillings in this tailgate sandwich.