Ultimate Roast Beef Sandwich

A good roast beef sandwich doesn’t need a dozen ingredients. This one keeps it tight: sliced roast beef piled on a roll with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a generous spread of horseradish mayo that gives every bite a sharp, sinus-clearing kick.

The horseradish mayo is what sets this apart from a plain deli sandwich. Mixing prepared horseradish into mayonnaise creates a creamy, spicy spread that clings to the beef and cuts through the richness. Go heavier on the horseradish if you like real heat, or scale it back for something milder.

Use the best roast beef you can find. Freshly sliced from a deli counter will always beat pre-packaged, and a rare to medium-rare slice has more flavor and juiciness than anything cooked well-done.

Kitchen Tips

• Spread the horseradish mayo on both halves of the roll so the bread doesn’t dry out.
• Thick-sliced tomato and crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce hold up best. Soft greens like spinach will wilt under the weight.
• If you have leftover home-roasted beef, this is the best possible use for it.

Variations

• Add Swiss cheese and a quick broil for a hot roast beef melt.
• Layer on roasted red peppers and arugula for a peppery, slightly sweet twist.
• Swap the roll for a crusty ciabatta or sourdough for more chew and crunch.