26 Must-Have Ingredients for the Ultimate Roast Beef Sandwich

A roast beef sandwich is a classic meal featuring tender, juicy slices of roasted beef layered between bread or a roll. While a simple roast beef sandwich with just meat and bread can be delicious, you can take it to the next level with flavorful condiments, cheeses, vegetables and other tasty toppings. Here are 26 ingredients to elevate your roast beef sandwich game:

Sauces and Spreads

• Horseradish Sauce – Creamy, pungent horseradish sauce pairs perfectly with roast beef’s rich flavor. Mix prepared horseradish with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or sour cream.

• Mustard – Yellow, Dijon, honey or whole grain mustards all add a tangy accent to roast beef. Spread it directly on the bread or mix into a sauce.

• Mayonnaise – silky mayo helps the sandwich come together and gives it a creamy base. Regular or flavored mayo works.

• Aioli – For an upscale sandwich, swap regular mayo for homemade or gourmet garlic aioli.

• Barbecue Sauce – Sweet and smoky BBQ sauce complements roast beef’s hearty flavor.

• Chimichurri – A flavorful green herb sauce from Argentina, chimichurri makes a great roast beef sandwich condiment.

• Pesto – Swirl some basil or other pesto into the mayo or spread it directly on the bread for an herbal flavor boost.

Cheeses

• Provolone – Nutty, melty provolone is a classic choice for hot roast beef sandwiches.

• Swiss – With its mild, slightly sweet flavor, Swiss cheese is reliably delicious on roast beef sandwiches.

• Cheddar – Sharp cheddar adds a pleasing tang and pairs well with horseradish sauce.

• Blue Cheese – For roast beef with a bite, add crumbles of tangy blue cheese.

• Pepper Jack – Spicy pepper jack ramps up the flavor and brings on the heat.

• Gouda – Smooth, creamy gouda makes a decadent addition to any roast beef sandwich.

Vegetables

• Lettuce – Crisp lettuce like iceberg, romaine or leaf lettuce provides fresh crunch and texture.

• Tomatoes – Sliced tomatoes add a juicy, sweet contrast to the rich meat.

• Onions – Red onion, sweet onion or grilled onions lend flavor.

• Pickles – Dill pickles, bread and butter pickles or other pickled veggies add brightness.

• Roasted Red Peppers – Sweet, smoky roasted peppers lend color and flavor.

• Pepperoncini – Tangy and spicy, pepperoncini peppers perk up the sandwich.

• Spinach – Fresh baby spinach gives a health boost and color pop.

• Sprouts – Alfalfa or other sprouts bring out the sandwich’s fresh elements.

Extras & Add-Ons

• Bacon – Crispy cooked bacon provides a salty, smoky crunch.

• Avocado – Rich, creamy avocado perfectly balances the beef.

• Caramelized Onions – Sweet caramelized onions provide depth of flavor.

• Fried Onions – Crispy fried onions offer texture and seasoning.

• Jalapeños – Spice it up with fresh sliced jalapeños for those who like heat.

• Giardiniera – An Italian chopped vegetable mix, giardiniera brings tang and crunch.

• Marinated Vegetables – Pickled veggies like pepperoncini add brightness.

• Potato Chips – A handful of potato chips contributes satisfying crunch.

• Coleslaw – Creamy cool coleslaw complements the warm roast beef.

Breads and Rolls

• French Bread – The classic choice, crusty French or Italian bread lets the fillings shine.

• Baguette – For an extra rustic take, use a crispy, crusty baguette.

• Ciabatta Roll – With its soft interior and chewy crust, ciabatta is ideal for sandwiches.

• Sub Roll – These soft white Italian-style rolls are custom made for hearty sandwiches.

• Croissant – Flaky, buttery croissants make an upscale sandwich vessel.

• Rye Bread – For a Reuben-style sandwich, go for sliced rye bread.

• Brioche Bun – Bakery-style brioche buns lend a tender, sweet note.

• Kaiser Roll – With their signature crusty tops, these rolls nicely envelope the fillings.

• Wheat Bread – For a healthier option, use multigrain or whole wheat bread.

With premium roast beef as your base, the possibilities are endless for constructng the perfect sandwich. Get creative with combinations of cheeses, vegetables, crunch elements, sauces and condiments to make your ideal roast beef sandwich.