Do You Need to Cook Pre-Sliced Deli Roast Beef?

by

This easy method turns an economical cut of beef into super tender, flavorful Deli Style Roast Beef. Skip the deli and make your own lunch meat at home!.

I’ve been a regular at the grocery store deli counter for most of my adult life. When you have to feed a lot of people every day and pack lunches for work, having sliced deli meat on hand is very helpful. It was time for me to try making my own deli roast beef at home since my husband always asks for it to be on the grocery list.

Friends, the end result is truly amazing! This recipe has taught me how to use cheap beef cuts in new ways.

There is technique involved in properly cooking an inexpensive beef roast. In my recipe for Tender Eye of Round Roast Beef with Gravy, I explain that step by step. The base recipe is the same, but instead of cutting it up and serving it with gravy for dinner, we chill it and slice it very thinly to make the best roast beef sandwiches we’ve ever had.

This recipe makes Deli Style Roast Beef that has a lot less salt than the kind you can buy in stores. You can reduce the sodium even more by adjusting the amount of salt used. Just one of the many benefits to making your own deli meat at home!.

Deli roast beef can be a quick and convenient solution for sandwiches, roll-ups, or easy meals. Most are fully cooked and ready to enjoy straight from the packaging. But some prefer giving pre-sliced deli roast beef a quick cook before eating. Is this necessary or beneficial? Let’s explore the pros and cons of cooking deli roast beef.

How Deli Roast Beef is Prepared

To understand if cooking is needed, it helps to first look at how deli roast beef is made. These products begin with large cuts of beef – often round or sirloin roasts. The meat is seasoned, then slow roasted until medium rare. Next, it is cooled completely before being sliced paper thin on special deli meat slicers.

The roast beef is never cooked well done in order to maintain tenderness. It is also handled according to strict food safety protocols. So pre-packaged deli roast beef you find at the grocery store is fully cooked when purchased.

Reasons to Cook Deli Roast Beef

While safe to eat as-is, some people prefer giving the cold cuts a quick cook for the following reasons:

  • To warm and slightly melt any fat The high roast beef fat content can firm up when chilled Gently reheating makes it more palatable for some,

  • For food safety assurance, Cooking to 160°F eliminates any bacteria that may have developed during storage

  • To enhance flavor. A quick sauté or dip in au jus boosts taste.

  • For changes in texture. A crispy pan fry or broil gives a pleasant crunch.

  • To firm up the meat. Quick searing firms up the tender slices.

So while not mandatory, cooking or warming deli roast beef can improve its flavor, texture, or appearance for some eaters. It adds an extra step, but the benefits may outweigh the extra few minutes.

Best Ways to Cook Deli Roast Beef

You have options when it comes to cooking pre-sliced roast beef. Try these simple methods:

  • Pan fry – Coat slices in a bit of oil or butter. Fry over medium-high heat until lightly browned and sizzling.

  • Broil – Place slices on a broiler pan. Broil 3-4 minutes per side until crispy.

  • Microwave – Layer slices between paper towels. Microwave in 30 second bursts until warmed through.

  • Sauté – Cook bite-sized pieces in butter. Add seasonings like garlic, onion, or pepper.

  • Simmer in au jus – Heat packaged au jus. Simmer roast beef slices just until hot.

  • Toast in sandwiches – Assemble sandwiches. Grill in a panini press until the bread is toasted.

The key is using short cook times, just until warmed through or lightly crisped. Overcooking can toughen the tender meat.

Safety Tips for Deli Roast Beef

To enjoy deli meats safely, be sure to:

  • Check sell-by dates and use within 3-5 days of opening.

  • Promptly refrigerate unused portions, and discard if they smell or look spoiled.

  • Cook to 160°F if concerned about bacteria. Use a food thermometer to verify.

  • Avoid letting sit out at room temperature more than 2 hours.

Following basic food safety practices helps minimize risks when serving deli products.

How to Store Cooked Deli Roast Beef

For storing leftovers after cooking:

  • Let fully cool, then refrigerate in a sealed container up to 4 days.

  • Place in an airtight freezer bag or wrap well in foil for freezer storage.

  • Freeze up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

  • Discard any cooked roast beef that smells, tastes, or looks off.

With proper storage and handling, enjoying deli roast beef doesn’t have to be complicated.

Quick Serving Ideas

Deli roast beef wakes up boring sandwiches. And it takes only minutes to prepare:

  • Pile high on crusty rolls for French dip sandwiches.

  • Make Italian-style paninis with roasted red peppers and provolone.

  • Stuff into pitas with lettuce, tomato, and Parmesan.

  • Roll up with cream cheese and pickles for an easy appetizer.

  • Toss with hot pasta, olive oil, and shredded mozzarella.

  • Mix into rice or quinoa bowls along with vegetables.

  • Add to omelets, breakfast tacos, or hash for a morning protein boost.

The possibilities are endless! Deli roast beef makes an affordable and time-saving addition to favorites like pizza, nachos, baked potatoes, and more.

While deli roast beef is technically ready to eat straight from the package, taking the extra step to gently cook or warm it can maximize both safety and enjoyment. Use proper handling and storage methods to get the most out of this convenient product.

Frequency of Entities:
Roast Beef: 20
Deli: 16
Cook: 7
Slice: 4

do you have to cook roast beef from the deli

Roast Beef Seasoning Mix

A mixture of dry spices creates a flavorful crust as the roast cooks. I’m betting most, if not all of these spices are likely stocked in your pantry. I really think that kosher salt is better than table salt and that you should use it in dry rubs like this one. I like the grainy feel of granulated garlic better than garlic powder in this spice mix, but you can use either one. In addition you’ll need freshly ground black pepper, rosemary, thyme, onion powder, and paprika.

do you have to cook roast beef from the deli

How to Make Deli Style Roast Beef

The most important aspect to ensuring a perfectly pink and tender result is to watch the roast closely towards the end of the cooking time. Check the temperature as directed in the recipe card below with an instant read thermometer. Do not allow it to roast beyond 135 F. for the best result.

do you have to cook roast beef from the deli

  • Get your roast out of the fridge and set it on the counter for an hour to take off the chill. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 500 degrees. Dry the roast’s outside with paper towels and oil it all over with olive oil. Sprinkle all sides with the dry rub mixture. Put the roast on a wire rack on a baking sheet lined with foil. The fat cap side should face up.
  • Put it in an oven that has already been heated and roast for 15 minutes, or until it is nicely browned. The oven should now be at 300 degrees F. Roast for another 40 to 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 130 to 135 degrees F. (medium rare). If you want to check the temperature after 35 minutes, put an instant read thermometer through the middle of the roast from the side.

do you have to cook roast beef from the deli

  • Let the roast cool down for at least 30 minutes before cutting it. Even better, let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then cover it with foil and put it in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
  • Slice it across the grain as thinly as possible. For nice, deli-style thin slices, the roast should be cold before you cut it with a meat slicer or a sharp knife.

do you have to cook roast beef from the deli

How To Make Perfect Deli-Style Roast Beef At Home

FAQ

Is roast beef from the deli already cooked?

Fully cooked and ready to eat, our roast beef slices have a rich and delicious, classic roast beef flavor that’s perfect for a sandwich, salad, or cheese and crackers. Keep our 7-ounce package of deli roast beef refrigerated to maintain freshness.

Does deli meat need to be cooked?

Cold cuts come pre-cooked and need no preparation before being served as a dish. We can safely bid adieu to the morning rush hours and have our kids’ lunch boxes ready within minutes thanks to the lunch meat, deli meat, or cold cut whatever you may prefer to call it.

What is the difference between roast beef and deli roast beef?

The main difference between deli roast beef vs regular roast beef is that the deli-style roast beef is thinly sliced and usually used on a sandwich while the roast beef is thick cut and served on a plate hot.

Leave a Comment