Roast beef

Roast beef is a cherished traditional English dish made by roasting beef. Commonly served as a main course, its leftovers frequently find their way into delicious sandwiches or hashes. This hearty meal is popular in many countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. It’s a staple for Sunday lunches and dinners.

In delicatessens, roast beef is thinly sliced and served cold, often in sandwiches paired with sides like Yorkshire pudding. For the English, roast beef is more than just food—it’s a part of their cultural heritage. The dish even inspired the 1731 ballad "The Roast Beef of Old England." The French have a playful nickname for the English, calling them "les Rosbifs" due to their association with the dish.

Interestingly, roast beef wasn’t a common feature at medieval English feasts. Today, it’s frequently served with horseradish or horseradish sauce for an extra kick. In places like western New York, the beef on weck sandwich—a roll topped with caraway seeds and coarse salt—enjoys regional specialty status. In Denmark, roast beef often appears in open-faced sandwiches known as smørrebrød.

A classic roast beef sandwich typically includes bread, cold roast beef (leftovers or deli slices), lettuce, tomatoes, and mustard. Some variations might add cheese, horseradish, chili pepper, or red onion for additional flavor.