Roast Beef Sandwich Spread

Sandwiches are one of the best ways to use leftovers because bread is a blank canvas for whatever you can dream up. If you love a cool chicken salad, this roast beef sandwich spread is worth a try; it combines coarsely chopped cooked beef with fresh onion, sweet relish and a dressing of ketchup, mayonnaise and a splash of pickle juice. It’s equal parts sweet, tangy, crunchy and creamy.

You can also adjust it to suit your tastes. Add a bit of prepared horseradish or a few dashes of hot sauce for some spice. Turn it into a roast beef melt by adding slices of a good melting cheese like provolone, Havarti or cheddar and broiling it, open-faced, until bubbly. For extra crunch, toast your bread first or top the roast beef spread with a few handfuls of potato chips. Let your sandwich ideas run wild; there is no right or wrong way to put this sandwich together.

Roast Beef Sandwich Spread Ingredients

• Cooked beef
• Sweet pickle relish
• Onion
• Ketchup
• Mayonnaise
• Sweet pickle juice
• Seasoned salt
• Pepper
• Sliced bread

Directions

Step 1: Process the beef mixture

In a food processor, combine the beef, sweet pickle relish and onion. Cover and process until they’re coarsely chopped.

Editor’s Tip: You don’t want to process the meat too finely and turn it into a paste. Stop the processor occasionally and scrape down the sides to check the texture.

Step 2: Season and refrigerate the spread

In a large bowl, combine the ketchup, mayonnaise, pickle juice, seasoned salt and pepper. Stir in the beef mixture, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Editor’s Tip: Refrigerating the spread firms the texture and allows the flavors to deepen. One hour is enough, but you can also refrigerate overnight.

Step 3: Assemble the sandwiches

Spread on nine slices of bread and top with the remaining bread.

How to Store Roast Beef Sandwich Spread

Store the roast beef sandwich spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Keep the bread in a sealed bag at room temperature and assemble sandwiches before serving.

Roast Beef Sandwich Spread Tips

What should I serve with roast beef sandwich spread?

Roast beef spread pairs with classic sandwich sides, like homemade dill pickle potato chips, potato salad or your favorite refreshing coleslaw recipes. On the lighter side, opt for a roasted vegetable medley or green salads.

What bread is best for roast beef sandwich spread?

Any sliced bread works with this versatile roast beef sandwich spread, so if you prefer the tang of sourdough bread or the nutty flavor of marble rye bread, feel free to use it. If your bread is fluffy and soft, you can always toast it first so it doesn’t tear or get soggy under the filling.

What vegetables can I add to the roast beef spread?

If you want to add vegetables to the roast beef spread for more color or freshness, pulse roughly chopped celery, sweet red peppers or jarred roasted peppers with the meat until they’re finely chopped. Avoid watery vegetables like cucumbers or zucchini, which would make the texture too wet. You can also make the spread as written and layer lettuce, onion and sliced tomatoes on the sandwiches for juiciness and added flavor.