Roast beef is a popular deli meat that can be served cold or hot on sandwiches. While regular roast beef and Italian roast beef may look similar, there are some key differences in how they are prepared that affect the flavor and texture.
Ingredients
The main ingredients in both regular and Italian roast beef are beef and seasoning. However, the type of beef and seasonings used vary:
Regular Roast Beef
- Made from top round, bottom round, or eye of round beef cuts
- Seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
Italian Roast Beef
- Made from top round, bottom round, or eye of round beef cuts
- Seasoned with Italian herbs and spices like oregano, basil, rosemary, fennel seed
So while both use similar beef cuts, Italian roast beef has a signature Italian seasoning blend.
Cooking Method
The cooking method impacts the flavor and texture:
Regular Roast Beef
- Roasted in an oven until internal temperature reaches 145°F
- Results in a medium rare doneness
Italian Roast Beef
- Cooked in a broth on the stovetop until fully cooked through
- Results in a well done, fall-apart tender roast
Italian roast beef gets braised in a flavorful broth rather than roasted in an oven. This extended moist cooking results in very tender, pull-apart meat.
Flavor
The differences in seasoning and cooking lend unique flavors:
Regular Roast Beef
- Simple seasoning lets the beefy flavor shine
- Medium rare roast has a delicate, smokey flavor
Italian Roast Beef
- Italinan seasonings provide a robust, herbaceous flavor
- Well done and braised results in deeper, more concentrated beefiness
So regular roast beef has a straightforward roasted flavor, while Italian roast beef has a punch of Italian seasonings and intensely beefy flavor from the long braise.
Texture
The different doneness levels also affect the texture:
Regular Roast Beef
- Medium rare roast has a tender, sliceable texture
Italian Roast Beef
- Well done and braised makes the meat fall-apart tender and shredable
Regular roast beef slices nicely for sandwiches. Italian roast beef is super tender and can be shredded into smaller pieces.
Best Uses
The textures lend themselves to certain uses:
| Regular Roast Beef | Italian Roast Beef |
|---|---|
|
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Regular roast beef’s slicable texture makes it perfect for sandwiches you want to remain intact. Shreddable Italian roast beef is great for messy Italian beef sandwiches or adding to soups and stews.
Cost
Italian roast beef tends to be a bit more expensive:
- Regular roast beef: $6-12 per pound
- Italian roast beef: $8-15 per pound
The longer braising time and more complex seasoning in Italian roast beef costs a bit more. But some feel the intense flavor and tender texture are worth the slightly higher price.
Availability
Both are widely available but regular roast beef can be easier to find:
- Regular roast beef is available pre-sliced at most deli counters.
- Italian roast beef may need to be specially ordered from a deli ahead of time since it’s not always prepared daily.
So if you need some right away, regular roast beef may be the safer bet. But ordering Italian roast beef in advance allows you to savor its signature flavor and texture.
Nutrition
There are some small nutritional differences:
| Nutrient | Regular Roast Beef (3 oz) | Italian Roast Beef (3 oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 122 | 180 |
| Fat | 4g | 8g |
| Protein | 22g | 24g |
| Sodium | 370mg | 590mg |
The extended braising increases calories, fat, protein, and sodium levels in Italian roast beef. Still, both can be healthy options as part of a balanced diet.
Conclusion
While regular and Italian roast beef may appear similar at first glance, they differ in the seasoning, cooking method, flavor, texture, best uses, cost, and availability. Regular roast beef delivers simple roasted flavor and tender slices. Italian roast beef brings a taste of Italy with its herb-infused flavor, fall-apart texture, and higher price tag. The choice comes down to personal taste preferences and how you plan to use it. Both make tasty additions to sandwiches, rolls, dips, and more when you’re craving classic deli flavor.