15-Minute Roast Beef and Feta Sandwiches
Mediterranean-inspired sandwiches layered with tender roast beef, tangy feta cheese, and peppery arugula, by a creamy tahini dressing and vibrant roasted red pepper mixture. The combination of fresh herbs, cumin, and garlic creates bold flavors that meld beautifully during chilling. Perfect for lunch gatherings, picnics, or meal prep, these substantial sandwiches benefit from resting time that allows the tahini dressing to soak into the ciabatta while the flavors marry together.
Ingredients
- 2 jarred roasted red peppers, drained and finely chopped
- ¼ cup green onion, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil, minced
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed, divided
- ⅛ cup tahini
- ¼ cup water
- lemon juice, from 1 lemon
- salt, to taste
- 4 large ciabatta rolls, cut in halffocaccia or crusty sourdough1:1
similar texture and flavor absorption
- 4 oz feta cheese
- 1 pound roast beef, thinly sliced
- 2 cups arugula
Instructions
- 1
Combine red peppers, green onion, basil, olive oil, cumin, hot sauce and 1 garlic clove in a small bowl, stirring to combine and set aside
- 2
Whisk remaining garlic clove with tahini, water, and lemon juice in separate bowl until smooth, then season with salt to taste
- 3
Divide red pepper mixture evenly between roll bottoms, spreading to cover
- 4
Layer roast beef and feta cheese over pepper mixture
- 5
Drizzle tahini dressing over filling and top with arugula
- 6
Cover with top buns, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight
- 7
Unwrap sandwiches, cut in half and serve
Tips
Wrap sandwiches tightly and chill for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and dressing to soften the bread slightly
Pat roasted red peppers dry before chopping to prevent soggy sandwiches
Adjust tahini dressing consistency with additional water if too thick
Good to Know
Wrapped sandwiches keep in refrigerator up to 2 days
Can be assembled and wrapped up to 1 day ahead
Cut in half and serve chilled or at room temperature
Common Mistakes
Don't skip chilling time or flavors won't develop properly
Pat peppers dry to avoid soggy bread
Substitutions
similar texture and flavor absorption
FAQ
Can I make these sandwiches without chilling?
While you can serve immediately, chilling for at least 2 hours allows the tahini dressing to soften the bread and flavors to meld together much better.
What if I don't have tahini?
You can substitute with hummus for similar consistency, or make a simple lemon-garlic yogurt dressing as an alternative.
How long will these sandwiches keep?
Wrapped tightly, they'll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, though they're best within 24 hours.