Beef on Weck is a classic sandwich hailing from Buffalo, New York. This savory delight features tender slices of roast beef piled high on a kummelweck roll, a unique bread topped with caraway seeds and coarse salt. Served with a side of beef au jus for dipping and a touch of horseradish for a spicy kick, this sandwich is a must-try for any beef lover.
The key ingredient that might not be commonly found in your home is the kummelweck roll. This roll is a Kaiser roll topped with caraway seeds and coarse salt, giving it a distinctive flavor and texture. If your local supermarket doesn't carry them, you might need to visit a specialty bakery or make them at home. The beef au jus can be made from scratch or purchased pre-made in the soup or gravy aisle.
Ingredients for Beef on Weck Recipe
Roast beef: Thinly sliced, tender beef that serves as the main protein in the sandwich.
Kummelweck rolls: Special rolls topped with caraway seeds and coarse salt, providing a unique flavor and texture.
Beef au jus: A flavorful beef broth used to warm the roast beef and for dipping the sandwich.
Horseradish: A spicy condiment spread on the top half of the roll for an extra kick.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your roast beef, consider searing it briefly in a hot pan before warming it in the beef au jus. This will create a delightful crust and add depth to the overall taste. Additionally, make sure your kummelweck rolls are fresh and slightly toasted to provide a satisfying crunch. When spreading the horseradish, use a generous amount to balance the richness of the beef with a bit of heat. Finally, serve the sandwiches immediately to ensure the beef remains warm and juicy.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
thinly sliced roast beef - Substitute with thinly sliced turkey: Turkey provides a similar texture and can be seasoned to mimic the flavor of roast beef.
thinly sliced roast beef - Substitute with thinly sliced pork loin: Pork loin is tender and can be roasted to achieve a flavor profile close to beef.
kummelweck rolls - Substitute with kaiser rolls: Kaiser rolls have a similar texture and can be topped with caraway seeds and coarse salt to replicate kummelweck rolls.
kummelweck rolls - Substitute with pretzel rolls: Pretzel rolls offer a unique flavor and chewy texture that can complement the roast beef.
beef au jus - Substitute with chicken au jus: Chicken au jus can provide a lighter yet flavorful alternative to beef au jus.
beef au jus - Substitute with vegetable broth: For a vegetarian option, vegetable broth can be seasoned to create a savory dipping sauce.
horseradish - Substitute with wasabi: Wasabi offers a similar pungent heat and can be used in smaller quantities.
horseradish - Substitute with dijon mustard: Dijon mustard provides a tangy and mildly spicy flavor that can complement the sandwich.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store/Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the roast beef to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the meat soggy.
- Wrap each kummelweck roll individually in aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out.
- Place the wrapped rolls in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag to keep them from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge.
- Store the beef au jus in a separate airtight container. This will keep it fresh and ready for reheating.
- For freezing, wrap the roast beef slices in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Place the wrapped roast beef in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the containers and bags with the date to keep track of freshness.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the roast beef and kummelweck rolls in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat the beef au jus on the stove over low heat until warm, then warm the roast beef slices in the au jus.
- For a crispy roll, reheat the kummelweck rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes.
- Assemble the sandwiches as per the original recipe instructions and enjoy your Beef on Weck as if it were freshly made.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Wrap each beef on weck sandwich in aluminum foil to keep the bread from drying out. Place the wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet and heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the roast beef is warmed through.
For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the beef on weck sandwich on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure the beef is evenly warmed.
If you prefer a stovetop method, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of beef au jus to the skillet. Place the roast beef slices in the skillet and heat until warmed through, about 2-3 minutes. Reassemble the sandwich with the warmed beef and serve immediately.
To reheat the beef au jus, pour it into a small saucepan and heat over low to medium heat until it reaches your desired temperature. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
For an extra touch, you can toast the kummelweck rolls separately in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes, or until they are slightly crispy. This will give your reheated sandwich a fresh, bakery-like texture.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to preheat to 350°F (175°C) for warming the rolls.
Saucepan: Used to warm the roast beef in the beef au jus.
Knife: Used to slice the kummelweck rolls in half.
Cutting board: Provides a surface to safely slice the rolls.
Tongs: Useful for handling and piling the warm roast beef onto the rolls.
Spatula: Can be used to spread horseradish on the top half of each roll.
Serving plate: Used to assemble and serve the sandwiches.
Small bowl: For serving extra au jus for dipping.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Preheat efficiently: Preheat the oven while you prepare other ingredients to save time.
Use deli roast beef: Purchase pre-sliced roast beef from the deli to skip the slicing step.
Ready-made au jus: Use store-bought beef au jus to avoid making it from scratch.
Assemble in batches: Lay out all rolls and assemble sandwiches assembly-line style for faster preparation.
Pre-slice rolls: Slice the kummelweck rolls ahead of time to streamline the assembly process.
Horseradish spread: Mix horseradish with a bit of mayo for a smoother, easier spread.

Beef on Weck Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Roast beef thinly sliced
- 4 Kummelweck rolls
- 1 cup Beef au jus
- 1 tablespoon Horseradish
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 2. Warm the roast beef in the beef au jus.
- 3. Slice the kummelweck rolls in half.
- 4. Pile the warm roast beef onto the bottom half of each roll.
- 5. Spread horseradish on the top half of each roll.
- 6. Place the top half of the roll on the sandwich and serve with extra au jus for dipping.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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