Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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When I visit home, one of my favorite comfort foods is an Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich. This crowd-pleaser is made with just a few ingredients that provide layers of flavor and texture. The roast beef is made in a slow cooker for an easy hands-off recipe with minimal prep. It comes out hot, juicy, and perfectly tender!

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe

Brace yourself: I am about to blow your mind with this delicious Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich recipe! Crusty bread is topped with creamy mashed potatoes, slow cooker roast beef, and a sprinkling of cheese and au jus.

Variations on Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwiches

These roast beef sandwiches are so tasty as is, but you can change up the flavor by using a different spice mix in place of the Italian dressing mix. Ranch seasoning or herbs de Provence are both great choices. And for a slightly healthier swap, try using mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes.

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

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How to Store and Reheat

I recommend storing the components of these open faced sandwiches separately, since they can become soggy if left fully assembled. Store the beef and potatoes in separate airtight containers for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave and toast the bread to serve.

How to Freeze

You can freeze the meat and potatoes for this recipe for up to 3 months. Simply place them in separate airtight containers or Ziplock bags. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and assembling.

Serving Suggestions

These hot roast beef sandwiches are a pretty hearty dish on their own. Piled up with mashed potatoes, slow cooked beef, cheese, and au jus sauce, you have a full meal here. But you could serve up extra mashed potatoes on the side, make some potato wedges, add some baked beans, or add some spicy broccoli to get your veggies in. As an added bonus, any leftovers can be used for beef au jus sandwiches!

What kind of meat do you use for roast beef sandwiches?

I recommend using chuck or rump roast for this recipe. Since you’re slow cooking the beef, you want a fairly tough cut that will soften without falling apart. After a few hours in the crock pot, it will be perfectly tender.

What cheese goes with roast beef?

I love gruyere for these sandwiches! It tastes amazing melted over the beef and slathered with au jus. But you could also use Swiss cheese or any cheese you really love.

What kind of mashed potatoes should I use?

Use these make ahead mashed potatoes if you want to prep ahead of time. Or else you can try these easy boiled mashed potatoes, or store-bought/pre-made potatoes.

How many sandwiches does a pound of roast beef make?

Each pound of roast beef will make about 2 sandwiches.

Is a roast beef sandwich better hot or cold?

These open faced sandwiches are mouth-wateringly delicious when served hot, but they taste great cold too. Especially if you’re eating leftovers for lunch the next day!

What condiment goes with a roast beef sandwich?

These sandwiches are great with mustard cream sauce or mayonnaise!

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More Beef Sandwiches to Try

  • Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
  • Reuben Sandwiches
  • Meatball Subs
  • Maid Rite Sandwiches
  • Philly Cheesesteaks
  • Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches

Recipe

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe

4.50 from 48 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 30 minutes minutes

Cook: 8 hours hours

Total: 8 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Nothing is more delicious than tender slow cooked roast beef, creamy mashed potatoes, and cheese piled onto a hot open faced sandwich. I love the way the bread sops up the au jus!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

  • 5 pounds beef roast such as chuck or rump
  • 4 ounces au jus seasoning mix (2 packages)
  • 4 ounces dry Italian salad dressing mix (2 packages)
  • 32 ounces low-sodium beef broth
  • 4 cups mashed potatoes (click for recipe)
  • 8 slices bread thick and crusty, such as Texas Toast
  • ½ cup freshly shredded gruyere cheese

Instructions

  • Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray. Place the beef roast inside and sprinkle with the four packets of seasoning.

    5 pounds beef roast, 4 ounces au jus seasoning mix, 4 ounces dry Italian salad dressing mix

    Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

  • Pour the beef broth over the roast.

    32 ounces low-sodium beef broth

  • Cook on high for 6-8 hours or until tender.

  • When cooked, strain the broth into a bowl and reserve.

  • Shred or slice the beef into small bite-sized sections. Discard away any fat and gristle.

    Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

  • Prepare the mashed potatoes.

    4 cups mashed potatoes

  • Toast the bread. For extra-thick slices, broil for 2-4 minutes until golden.

    8 slices bread

  • Assemble the open-faced sandwiches by placing the toasted bread on a plate and topping it with mashed potatoes. Add a generous portion of the shredded/sliced beef. Drizzle a couple of spoonfuls of the reserved au jus over the meat and sprinkle with gruyere cheese.

    ½ cup freshly shredded gruyere cheese

    Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

  • Serve with a knife and fork. Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Use my recipe for make-ahead mashed potatoes, cook up your own, or buy prepared mashed potatoes at the store.
  • Be sure to spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray before adding the other ingredients.
  • The beef is the star of the show, so use the best quality you can. You won’t regret it!
  • Don’t assemble the sandwiches until right before serving–the juices will make the toast soggy.

Storage:Store the open faced roast beef sandwich components in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 769kcal (38%) Carbohydrates: 44g (15%) Protein: 64g (128%) Fat: 37g (57%) Saturated Fat: 16g (100%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 18g Trans Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 205mg (68%) Sodium: 2200mg (96%) Potassium: 1544mg (44%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 3g (3%) Vitamin A: 119IU (2%) Vitamin C: 24mg (29%) Calcium: 175mg (18%) Iron: 7mg (39%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

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How to Make an Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Step By Step

Cook the Beef: Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray. Place a 5 pound beef roast inside and sprinkle with 4 ounces each of au jus seasoning and dry Italian salad dressing mix. Pour 32 ounces of beef broth over the roast, and cook on high for 6-8 hours or until tender.

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (13)

Shred the Beef: When cooked, strain the broth into a bowl and reserve. Shred or slice the beef into small bite-sized sections. Discard away any fat and gristle.

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (14)

Assemble the Sandwiches: Prepare 4 cups of mashed potatoes. Toast 8 slices of bread. For extra-thick slices, broil for 2-4 minutes until golden. Assemble the open-faced sandwiches by placing the toasted bread on a plate and topping it with mashed potatoes. Add a generous portion of the shredded/sliced beef. Drizzle a couple of spoonfuls of the reserved au jus over the meat and sprinkle with ½ cup of freshly shredded gruyere cheese. Serve with a knife and fork. Enjoy!

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Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (16)

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Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

How many sandwiches does 1 lb of roast beef make? ›

But somewhere between 4 and 6 sandwiches from a pound of roast beef.

What is the best cut of beef for roast beef sandwiches? ›

A top loin roast is ideal. It's got plenty of brawny flavor, and all of the fat is on the surface, which you can easily trim off after the meat is cooked. Here, the beef is roasted low and slow to ensure rare, juicy meat. This said, if you want a more economical cut, use bottom, top or eye round here instead.

What is the best bread for a roast beef sandwich? ›

But, whether you go for the simpler formula or pile your add-ons high, roast beef sandwiches pair perfectly with rye bread. The combination is a spin on the classic pastrami on rye sandwich, which is a staple in New York Jewish delis.

What is the best condiment for roast beef sandwiches? ›

Sauce – I personally think a creamy horseradish sauce is the best for this sandwich. Lettuce – Arugula and micro-greens are what I used. However, you can use any of your favorite lettuces. Vegetables – I like a simple combination of red onions, radishes, and tomatoes.

What is the best cut of beef for roasting? ›

For roasts, the best cuts include rib (on the bone or boned and rolled), sirloin, top rump and fillet. For quick cooking, try fillet, entrecôte, rib eye, sirloin or rump steaks. Brisket, topside and silverside are good for pot roasts, and stewing and braising steak are good for stews and casseroles.

How much does 5 lbs of roast beef feed? ›

How Much Roast to Buy per Person (Chart)
Number of guestsPounds of beef
8 people5-6 pounds
10 people6-7 pounds
12 people8-10 pounds
14 people9-11 pounds
2 more rows
Oct 1, 2021

What goes well in a roast beef sandwich? ›

It's got creamy horseradish, melty cheese, and peppery arugula, all served on top of thinly sliced, warm roast beef for the ultimate sandwich recipe. Add caramelized onions, or serve it with au jus on the side, for even more layers of flavor!

What cut of beef makes the most tender roast beef? ›

  • Tenderloin. The most tender roast of all—it's under the spine— with almost no fat or flavor. ...
  • Top sirloin roast. Also: top butt. ...
  • Tri-tip roast. This small triangular roast is taken from the top of the sirloin and has "perfect marbling," said Gathy. ...
  • Top round roast. ...
  • Bottom round roast. ...
  • Eye of round roast.
Dec 17, 2015

What state is known for roast beef? ›

Roast beef sandwiches have been a specialty of the Boston area, in particular in the North Shore of Massachusetts, since the early 1950s, typically served very rare, thinly sliced (sometimes referred to as shaved) and piled on an onion roll.

What is a hog roast sandwich? ›

A hog roast sandwich is a type of sandwich made with roasted pork, often served on a roll or piece of bread. The sandwich may also include other ingredients such as BBQ sauce and more traditionally apple sauce.

Is top round or bottom round better for roast beef sandwiches? ›

The meat of a bottom round roast is tender and holds its form when cooked slowly in a Dutch oven, making it perfect for making deli-style roast beef sandwiches. Top loin roasts are usually reserved for making Italian beef sandwiches, so it's fitting that they can work just as well for roast beef ones.

How can I make my sandwich more flavorful? ›

Sandwich spreads add flavor but also perform the essential task of lending moisture and sometimes creaminess to sandwiches. Mustard and mayo are the familiar standbys, but don't stop there. It's well worth experimenting with the following: vinaigrettes, pestos, BBQ sauces, chutneys, and salsas.

Should a roast beef sandwich be hot or cold? ›

This meal can be served hot or cold! Hot roast beef sandwiches are just as great as the chilled leftover roast beef will be!

What is the difference between a roast beef sandwich and an Italian beef sandwich? ›

Though there are many ways to dress it, the popular way to serve an Italian Beef Sandwich is topped with provolone cheese and pickled vegetables. Roast Beef is typically a leaner cut of beef than used in Italian Beef.

How many sandwiches can you make with 1lb of meat? ›

Here's a good rule of thumb: 1 pound of deli meat, sliced sandwich style, makes about 5 – 6 sandwiches. Cheese slices should be ordered thinner than deli meat, so you'll have more cheese slices to layer on.

How much roast beef for 3 sandwiches? ›

According to the search results, the general guideline is to estimate 4 to 6 ounces of roast beef per person for sandwiches at a party [1].

How many pounds of beef per person for sandwiches? ›

As a general rule of thumb, you can plan for around 3-4 ounces of meat per sandwich.

How much deli meat for 15 sandwiches? ›

The general rule of thumb is to purchase two to three ounces of deli meat for each sandwich you will make. Yes, it is that simple. Another rule of thumb is to order more than that by the sandwich or per person for the meal. It's never a bad day when you have too much deli meat.

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