From the top view, seeds from the lightly toasted everything bagel twinkle against a backdrop of melting, creamy Swiss cheese. Vivid layers of ruby red cranberry mayo, deep golden caramelized onions, emerald green arugula, slices of crimson apple and perfectly folded pieces of earthy roast beef peek out. Each layer is clearly visible, inviting one's bite.

New York Gourmet Roast Beef Sandwich

Category Main Course
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 35 minutes
Style American
Technique Sautéing
Diet Friendly Low-Carb

Daily Recipe: November 03, 2025

Celebrating Sandwich Day as a gourmet chef means taking the humble sandwich to a new level. In the spirit of NYC, this sandwich showcases roast beef, which is iconic to NYC delis, spruced up with caramelized onions, crisp apples, fresh arugula, and a homemade cranberry mayo that adds an autumnal touch.

Ingredients (for 4)

Preparation

  1. Step 1 - 🧅🍳🔪
    Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and add onions. Sprinkle with sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally until the onions reach a golden brown color, which should take approximately 25-30 minutes.
  2. Step 2 - 🍇🍋🍽🥶
    Combine the cranberries, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Blend until it reaches a smooth consistency. Refrigerate until use.
  3. Step 3 - 🥯🥩🧀🍏
    Spread a layer of the cranberry mayo on each sliced bagel. Layer Swiss cheese, roast beef, caramelized onions, apple slices, and a handful of arugula on one half. Top it with the other half.
  4. Step 4 - 🍞🍳🔥
    Heat a pan over medium heat with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Place the sandwiches in the pan, lightly pressing them with a spatula. Cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until the bagels are golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Additional

This recipe pays homage to the NYC deli culture, adding a gourmet twist. Kids could help with spreading the cranberry mayo and assembling the sandwiches. And, as every sandwich is flexible, feel free to experiment with the ingredients: you could substitute roast turkey for the beef, or add a bit of horseradish to the mayo for a kick.