Hearty Roast Beef Manhattan

Looking for a comforting dinner that brings back memories of old-school diners and family meals? A Roast Beef Manhattan is that perfect middle ground between a weeknight dinner and something that feels a bit more special. It’s the kind of meal that works whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just want something warm and satisfying after a long day at work.

Thankfully, this open-faced sandwich topped with tender roast beef, rich gravy, and creamy mashed potatoes is easier to make at home than you might think, and it’s a great way to use up leftover roast beef when you have it on hand.

What Kind of Beef Should I Use?

For a classic Roast Beef Manhattan, chuck roast is your best friend, though you could also use bottom round or rump roast. Chuck roast has nice marbling throughout, which means it’ll stay tender and juicy after the long cooking process. If you’re starting from scratch rather than using leftover roast beef, cook your meat low and slow until it’s fork-tender – about 3 to 4 hours in the oven at 325°F should do the trick. Just remember to let your roast rest for about 15 minutes before slicing it against the grain, which helps keep all those tasty juices locked in.

Options for Substitutions

This classic comfort food recipe can be adapted with several easy substitutions:

• Cooked beef pot roast: While pot roast is traditional, you can use leftover roast beef, slow-cooked chuck roast, or even deli-style roast beef in a pinch. Just keep in mind that deli meat will give you a different texture.
• Tomato juice: Out of tomato juice? Try using tomato sauce mixed with a little water, or even V8 juice. You can also use beef stock with 1 tablespoon of tomato paste mixed in.
• Garlic bread: Regular white bread, sourdough, or Texas toast all work great here. If using plain bread, just add a little garlic powder to your butter before toasting.
• Mashed potatoes: While fresh mashed potatoes are best, you can use instant mashed potatoes if you’re short on time. You could also swap in mashed cauliflower for a lower-carb option.
• Butter and flour roux: For a gluten-free version, use cornstarch mixed with cold water instead of the flour (start with 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water).

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making a Roast Beef Manhattan is getting the gravy consistency right – too much flour creates a paste-like texture, while too little leaves you with runny gravy, so add the flour gradually while whisking constantly.

Temperature control is crucial when reheating the pot roast – warming it too quickly or at too high heat can make the meat tough and chewy, so heat it gently in the gravy to keep it tender and juicy.

A common misstep is serving the dish immediately after assembly – letting it rest for 2-3 minutes allows the gravy to slightly thicken and settle into the bread without making it completely soggy.

For the best experience, keep your mashed potatoes warm while preparing the rest of the dish, and make sure to toast your garlic bread until it’s golden brown – this creates a sturdy base that can hold up to the gravy without falling apart.

What to Serve With Manhattan Roast Beef?

Since this hearty dish already includes mashed potatoes and gravy, you’ll want to add some fresh elements to round out the meal. A simple side of steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts adds a nice pop of color and balances out the richness of the beef and gravy. I like to serve a crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette dressing to cut through the heaviness of the main dish. For extra veggie options, honey-glazed carrots or buttered corn work really well with the savory flavors of the Manhattan-style roast beef.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Your leftover Roast Beef Manhattan can hang out in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store the gravy, meat, and mashed potatoes separately in airtight containers. The garlic bread is best kept at room temperature in a bread bag or wrapped in foil if you plan to use it the next day.

Prep Ahead: Want to get ahead? You can make the gravy and mashed potatoes up to 2 days before serving. The pot roast can also be cooked a day ahead – just slice it when you’re ready to serve. This makes dinner assembly super quick when you’re ready to eat!

Warm Up: To bring your Manhattan back to life, warm the gravy in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Heat the beef slices in the gravy until warm. Microwave the mashed potatoes with a splash of milk, and toast the garlic bread until golden. Layer everything together just before serving for the best results.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	20-30 minutes
Total Time	30-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1800-2000
• Protein: 90-110 g
• Fat: 100-120 g
• Carbohydrates: 200-220 g

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 3/4 cup beef stock
• 1/4 cup tomato juice
• 2 cups cooked beef pot roast
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 slices garlic bread
• 1 1/2 cups mashed potatoes

Step 1: Prepare the Gravy Base

In a non-stick sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat.

Once melted, whisk in the flour and continue whisking for a couple of minutes until the mixture turns a golden color.

This forms the base of your gravy.

Step 2: Create the Gravy

Gradually whisk in the beef broth and tomato juice until the mixture is smooth.

Continue to cook while stirring often, until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.

Once thickened, add the beef to the pan and cook until it is heated through.

This should create a delicious, savory gravy with tender pieces of beef.

Step 3: Prepare the Sides

While the gravy is warming up, bake the garlic bread following the package directions.

At the same time, heat the mashed potatoes according to their package directions.

Ensure both are hot and ready to serve along with the gravy.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

To serve, place slices of baked garlic bread on individual plates.

Top each slice with a scoop of heated mashed potatoes, followed by a generous portion of the beef and gravy mixture.

Serve immediately for a comforting, hearty meal.