What Sauces Go With Roast Beef? A Delicious Guide!
It’s tender, it’s juicy, it’s everything that a meat lover could want from a meal.
But what about the sauce?
Sure, roast beef is delicious on its own, but a good sauce can take it to a whole new level.
Whether you’re a fan of rich gravies or tangy horseradish sauces, we’ve got you covered…
What Sauces Go With Roast Beef?
Some classic sauces for roast beef include gravy, horseradish, and garlic jus.
If you love herby sauces, consider trying chimichurri, or parsley shallot.
For creamy sauces, you might enjoy horseradish cream, hollandaise or béarnaise.
Keep reading for more ideas, including simple recipes you can make at home, and bonus ideas that pair perfectly with a roast beef sandwich, to make good use of any leftovers!
(For more meal planning inspiration, you might also want to take a look at the best starters for Sunday dinner, and the best desserts for roast beef).
Classic Sauces for Roast Beef
Gravy
A staple on any roast beef table, gravy is the perfect accompaniment to your dish.
To create a rich and flavourful gravy for your roast beef, start by using the pan juices and drippings from your beef.
Slowly add some beef stock, and thicken with a mixture of butter and flour for that smooth and velvety texture.
Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.
Gravy adds warmth and a hint of savouriness that ties everything together, making it an essential part of your roast beef dining experience.
Horseradish Sauce
For those who enjoy a bit of a kick in their sauce, horseradish sauce is the way to go.
This tangy and spicy condiment pairs well with roast beef, balancing out the rich flavours of the meat.
To make a homemade horseradish sauce, simply grate fresh horseradish root, and combine with mayonnaise, sour cream, and a touch of white vinegar.
Season with salt and pepper as needed.
This flavoursome sauce adds a bold touch to your roast beef, elevating it from the everyday to something truly special.
Garlic Jus
A rich, flavour-packed garlic jus is a fantastic addition to your roast beef repertoire.
To prepare a delicious garlic jus, begin by sautéing finely chopped fresh garlic in a generous amount of butter.
When the garlic is softened, deglaze the pan with a good quality red wine, and allow the mixture to reduce.
Add beef or veal stock, and let it simmer until the flavours meld together and the jus reaches a desired consistency.
The savoury nature of garlic jus pairs perfectly with roast beef, and imparts a wonderful depth of flavour to your dish.
Herb-Based Sauces
Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri is an incredibly versatile and delightful sauce that pairs perfectly with roast beef.
The combination of fresh parsley, zesty lemon, and olive oil creates a vibrant and flavourful sauce.
To make your own chimichurri sauce, simply combine olive oil, lemon juice, finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, and some red pepper flakes.
You can adjust the ratios according to your taste preferences and spice tolerance.
The beauty of this sauce lies in its simplicity; it really allows the flavours to shine through, and it enhances the taste of your roast beef without overpowering it.
Parsley Shallot Sauce
Another fantastic herb-based sauce to serve with roast beef is the parsley shallot sauce.
This sauce comprises a delightful mixture of finely chopped shallots, chopped fresh parsley, lemon zest, and olive oil.
The tanginess of the lemon zest pairs well with the subtle sweetness of the shallots, offering a bright and delicate touch to the dish.
To prepare the parsley shallot sauce, begin by sautéing chopped shallots in a bit of olive oil until they become soft and slightly translucent.
Once the shallots have softened, simply add the chopped parsley, lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice to the pan.
Give everything a gentle stir and allow the flavours to meld together for a few minutes before removing the sauce from heat.
This sauce will bring an additional layer of depth and freshness to your roast beef, making it even more enjoyable for you and your guests.
Creamy Options
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
A delightful accompaniment to roast beef is a Creamy Horseradish Sauce.
This sauce is made with sour cream and its creamy texture complements the bold taste of horseradish, adding a tangy kick to your meal.
Plus, its base ingredient, sour cream, is relatively low in calories and offers a decent amount of protein.
To make the sauce, simply combine sour cream, prepared horseradish, fresh dill, and a bit of salt and pepper.
You’ll love how the smooth, creamy texture balances the sharpness of the horseradish to create a flavourful sauce that elevates your roast beef dish.
Hollandaise Sauce
Another creamy sauce option for your roast beef is the classic hollandaise sauce.
With its velvety, smooth texture and rich flavours, it’s hard not to fall in love with this sauce.
It’s traditionally made with egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice, all of which are whisked together carefully to create an emulsion.
To keep the consistency perfect, be sure to cook the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
The gentle acidity of the lemon juice gives the sauce a subtle tang that wonderfully complements the richness of the roast beef.
Béarnaise Sauce
Last but certainly not least, the French classic Béarnaise Sauce is a splendid partner for roast beef.
This luxuriously rich sauce is made with clarified butter, egg yolks, shallots, tarragon, and white wine vinegar.
Its slightly tangy notes come from the herb tarragon, which adds a touch of freshness and intrigue to the dish.
When making this sauce, be patient with the cooking process to achieve that luscious, velvet-like texture that pairs brilliantly with roast beef. Your taste buds will dance with delight as they experience the harmonious blend of flavours in this creamy option.
Sweet and Tangy Sauces
Barbecue Sauce
One delicious option for your roast beef is a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
This sauce beautifully complements the rich, savoury flavours of roasted beef by adding a combination of sweetness from sugar and tartness from vinegar.
To make your own barbecue sauce, simply start by combining tomato puree with sugar, vinegar, and a dash of your favourite spices such as cumin or paprika.
Adding a teaspoon of mustard or Worcestershire sauce enhances the flavour and helps to balance out the sweetness from the sugar.
Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
Another fantastic addition to your roast beef is a balsamic vinegar glaze.
This sauce brings a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness to your plate.
Balsamic vinegar is made from grape must, which gives it its distinctive dark colour and syrupy consistency. To create a simple balsamic glaze, you’ll need:
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar or honey
Combine the balsamic vinegar and sugar or honey in a saucepan over medium heat.
Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce until it reaches a thick, syrupy consistency.
Be careful not to let the mixture burn or stick to the pan.
Once your glaze is ready, drizzle it artfully over your sliced roast beef to add a touch of sweetness, tartness, and visual appeal.
Condiments for Sandwiches and More
When it comes to enhancing the flavour of your roast beef sandwiches and other dishes, having the right condiments can make all the difference.
In this section, we’ll explore some of the essential sauces that can elevate your culinary creations – specifically focusing on Dijon Mustard, Mayonnaise, and Aioli.
Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard is an excellent condiment for roast beef sandwiches and works well with other dishes such as burgers and hot dogs too.
Its robust taste, with a mixture of tangy and spicy flavours, complements the richness of the roast beef.
You can also consider making a honey-Dijon mustard blend to add a bit of sweetness to the mix.
To make your own Dijon mustard, combine the following ingredients:
- 1/4 cup mustard seeds
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tsp sea salt
- A pinch of ground allspice (optional)
Allow the mixture to sit in the fridge for a couple of days, allowing the flavours to meld, before using it as a condiment.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is an incredibly versatile condiment that pairs well with roast beef sandwiches, burgers, and tacos.
It can serve as a base to create more complex sauces with various seasoning and flavours.
For a delightful twist, try mixing Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise to create a savoury blend that works well with the roast beef’s flavour profile.
Another option to explore with mayonnaise is combining it with your favourite herbs and spices. Add minced garlic or some fresh dill to give an extra punch of flavour. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
Aioli
Aioli is a flavourful alternative to traditional mayonnaise and can work exceptionally well with roast beef sandwiches, tacos, and a variety of other dishes.
Essentially a garlicky mayonnaise, aioli adds a rich and creamy texture, with a hint of garlic that imparts a unique flavour to the roast beef.
To whip up a simple aioli, mix the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- 2-3 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- A pinch of ground black pepper
Once you’ve mixed these ingredients, let the aioli sit in the fridge for a few hours to allow the flavours to mingle. It’s worth the wait!
Remember, complementing your roast beef sandwiches and other dishes with the right condiments can elevate your culinary experience.
Whether you choose the punchy flavour of Dijon mustard, the creamy versatility of mayonnaise, or the garlicky deliciousness of aioli, your taste buds are in for a treat.
What’s your favourite choice when it comes to the best sauces for roast beef?
For more comfort food ideas, check out what to serve with Mississippi pot roast.
