Hot Roast Beef Sandwich

Hot, open-faced sandwiches are a genre unto themselves. It’s hard to beat one with velvety slices of roast beef and a rich beef and mushroom gravy on top. Mashed potatoes might make an unusual side dish for a sandwich but with these toppings they’re right at home and ready to accommodate the extra gravy. You can make this hot roast beef sandwich anytime, even if you don’t have leftover roast, by leaning into pantry staples and convenient ingredients to make a shortcut version. Don’t forget the horseradish!

Ingredients for Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches

• Roast beef: A pound of roast beef, sliced at the deli counter, is the juicy and savory main ingredient for this sandwich. You can substitute leftover sliced or shredded roast beef or pot roast if you have it.
• Beef gravy: Canned or jarred beef gravy is the rich and flavorful sauce that adds moisture and depth to the sandwich. You can absolutely substitute homemade beef gravy for the kind in the packet.
• Mushrooms: Canned mushrooms add meaty and earthy taste to the gravy. We call for canned stems and pieces, as they’re inexpensive and require no prep, but you can substitute canned sliced mushrooms or sauteed fresh cremini or button mushrooms.
• Instant mashed potatoes: Instant mashed potatoes are buttery and lightning fast to make. They’re a big time saver in this recipe. Feel free to use homemade mashed potatoes or buy ready made mashed potatos in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
• Italian bread: Serves as the foundation for the sandwich, providing a sturdy structure and absorbing the flavors of the other ingredients.

Directions

Step 1: Warm the beef and gravy

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In a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl, combine the beef, gravy and mushrooms. Cover and microwave on high for two to three minutes or until heated through.

Step 2: Make the mashed potatoes, assemble the sandwiches

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Meanwhile, prepare potatoes according to the package directions. Divide the bread among four plates. Spoon the beef mixture over the bread. Serve with mashed potatoes.

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Hot Roast Beef Sandwich Variations

• Make it melty: Add a layer of thinly-sliced Swiss or Gruyère cheese over the hot gravy and roast beef.
• Spice it up: Grated horseradish or creamy horseradish sauce is a favorite accompaniment to roast beef. To add that flavor profile to this sandwich you can spread prepared horseradish or horseradish mayonnaise onto the bread before adding the beef on top.
• Add some sweet onions: If you really want to go for gold, add caramelized onions to the gravy and top the sandwich and mashed potatoes with crumbled blue cheese.

How to Store Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches

Hot roast beef sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but when stored properly you can use the leftovers to make a second round of sandwiches another time. To store them, let the leftover beef and gravy mixture and potatoes cool completely and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat them in the microwave and assemble as instructed in the recipe.

Can you make hot roast beef sandwiches ahead of time?

Unfortunately, no. The lean roast beef will cool quickly and the bread will get soggy if you try and assemble them ahead of time. If you do want to prep the components, make the mashed potatoes and keep them in a slow cooker on the keep warm function. Combine the beef, mushrooms and gravy in a microwave safe dish and  store it in the refrigerator. Microwave it until hot once you’re ready to serve.

Hot Roast Beef Sandwich Tips

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Can you use another type of meat for this recipe?

Absolutely. You can use this method with leftover cooked chicken and chicken gravy or with leftover turkey and turkey gravy. You can also substitute pork or any other cooked beef you like.

What kind of bread is best for hot roast beef sandwiches?

We like a white bread with a closed crumb structure that’s sturdy enough to stand up to the gravy without turning into a soggy mess. Sliced Italian bread is a solid choice, but you could also use ciabatta, sourdough or a French boule. Avoid using a hoagie roll or brioche as they are too soft to support the sandwich.

What do you do with leftovers?

Use any leftover bread and roast beef to make cold sandwiches and leftover mashed potatoes to make loaded stuffed potato pancakes.