This classic sandwich is on diner menus all across the Midwest, and for good reason. It is hearty and delicious and a stick-to-your-ribs meat and potatoes classic that is full of flavor, warms you up, and keeps you full forEVER. Try our Homemade Hot Roast Beef Sandwich today, no matter where in the country you are!

Hot Roast Beef Sandwich

This diner food classic is the one that I order most whenever I’m back in the Midwest. Meat and potatoes with LOTS of gravy on top is one of my very favorite things, but you have to know where to order it, too. Many diners will make this with roast beef sandwich meat and canned gravy, which can make for a less-than-ideal experience. It’s still edible, usually, but not my favorite.

Once in a while, you’ll find a spot that does it RIGHT with a slow-cooked shredded beef roast and scratch-made gravy, and if you can find a sandwich like that, you are set. They’ll usually be called Pot Roast Sandwiches and not Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches, from what I’ve seen.

Another variation you’ll see is restaurants that serve Prime Rib using their leftover rib roasts shaved down and made into hot roast beef sandwiches. Sometimes, they’ll make those leftovers into Prime Rib French Dips, aka a hot roast beef sandwich with jus instead of gravy. Both are delicious and items you should order if you get the chance.

None of those options are what we’re talking about here, however.

For this version, we used one of my FAVORITE meats from Costco, their thin-sliced New York steak.

I buy this almost every time we go to Costco. Yes, it is a little spendy, but it is delicious and saves a ton of prep time in my life. We make a great Blackstone Beef and Broccoli with it, and a host of other fun, FAST, and amazing meals from this versatile protein. Those will be coming to the blog soon; don’t worry.

More Diner Food Favorites here!

Hot Beef Sandwich shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Butter
Flour
Beef Better Than Bouillon
White wine
Onion powder
Kitchen bouquet
Sliced steak (we get the big packs from Costco)
Ciabatta buns

Try our Prime Rib Beef Barley Soup too!

How to make Quick Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

Gravy

Melt butter and whisk in flour. Whisk and cook for a few minutes. Whisk in the rest of the gravy ingredients. Let simmer.

Cook meat

Melt some butter in a skillet and cook the meat on both sides.

Toast

Toast the buns on the cut sides and load up with the cooked meat. Cover with gravy.

Enjoy

Serve hot with French fries or Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

Try our Traeger Pot Roast!

Hot Roast Beef Sandwich FAQ

Can this recipe be made in advance?

Sure! The gravy, especially, works well, even made in advance. The thinly sliced steak isn’t all that friendly to reheating, but you can in a pinch. It’ll be better quality if you wait to cook the meat before serving it. It is still delicious, though, even the next day.

What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers?

Store the meat and gravy apart from the buns to avoid getting soggy. Reheat before serving in the microwave, then pile onto the toasted buns.

Try our Smoked Short Ribs!

Serve this with…

More great diner food to love!

Crispy Blackstone Hash Browns
Blueberry Pancakes
Bacon Cheddar Rutabaga Quiche
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Hamburger Gravy with Garlic Chive Noodles

Yield: 2 servings

Homemade Hot Roast Beef Sandwich

Name: Homemade Hot Roast Beef Sandwich
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons flour; 1 cup water; 2 teaspoons Beef Better Than Bouillon; 1 tablespoon white wine; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon kitchen bouquet; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 pound thinly sliced steak (we get the big packs from Costco); 2 ciabatta buns

This homemade hot roast beef sandwich is perfect to make for a quick lunch or dinner option! It is homemade, but comes together in about 20 minutes and is so much better than using lunch meat or waiting all day for a pot roast to cook!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

Gravy

3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup water
2 teaspoons Beef Better Than Bouillon
1 tablespoon white wine
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon kitchen bouquet

Sandwiches

1 tablespoon butter
1 pound thinly sliced steak (we get the big packs from Costco)
2 ciabatta buns

Instructions

In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it is melted, whisk in the butter. Reduce the heat to low and cook for a few minutes, whisking frequently.
Add in the water, bouillon, wine, onion powder, and kitchen bouquet.
Whisk and increase the heat to medium-low. Simmer until thickened. Keep hot over low heat.
Take the thinly sliced steak and separate it. Preheat a skillet over high heat. Add a small amount of butter. Add single slices of the steak to the pan and quickly brown on both sides.
Toast your buns on the cut sides.
Load the meat up onto the open-faced buns and pour the gravy over the top.
Serve hot.

Homemade Hot Roast Beef Sandwich