10 easy deli meals

1. The Classic Reuben sandwich recipe

Try this deli classic for lunch or dinner today. Thinly sliced deli Corned Beef or Pastrami is sandwiched between rye bread with sauerkraut and a tangy dressing. 

Ingredients

• 12 ounces thinly sliced deli corned beef or pastrami 
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened 
• 8 slices rye or pumpernickel bread 
• 8 slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese 
• 1 1/2 cups drained sauerkraut 
• 1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing

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2. Open-faced roast beef and summer veggies

A thinly sliced deli roast beef sandwich served open-faced with cucumbers and red onion. Easy and delicious!

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound thinly sliced deli roast beef
• 1/3 cup mild horseradish sauce 
• 2 teaspoons low-fat milk 
• 1 tablespoon chopped Major Grey chutney Bread 
• 4 large slices dark rye bread 
• 1/2 medium cucumber, very thinly sliced 
• 1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced 
• 1 tablespoon snipped chives

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3. Beef Spring rolls

Looking for a low-carb lunch option? Deli roast beef and cool, crisp vegetables get wrapped up in rice paper wrappers for an easy Vietnamese-inspired meal. Not a big rice paper fan? Serve this deconstructed as a bowl. 

Ingredients

• 16 thin slices deli roast beef 
• 1 cup shredded carrots 
• 1/2 cup chopped jicama 
• 3/4 cup torn fresh cilantro 
• 1/2 cup torn fresh basil 
• 1/4 cup torn fresh mint 
• 8 rice paper wrappers (8 1/2-inch diameter) 
• 8 green leaf lettuce leaves, ribs removed  
• 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar 
• 2 tablespoons red jalapeño pepper jelly 
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

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4. Chicago-Style italian beef

You don't have to rush to your local sandwich shop for a quick lunch. Instead, make up the giardiniera the night before and you'll have this sandwich to enjoy throughout the week. Use deli roast beef with jalapeño pepper, vegetables, garlic, and Italian bread rolls for a delicious roast beef sandwich.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces thinly sliced deli roast beef 
• 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium beef broth 
• 4 slices provolone cheese, halved 
• 4 crusty Italian bread rolls (each 6 inches long), split 

Giardiniera 

• 1 cup chopped vegetables such as carrot, celery, cauliflower and red bell pepper 
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced 
• 1/2 cup white vinegar 
• 1/4 cup olive oil 
• 6 cloves garlic, minced, divided 
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, divided 
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
•  1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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5. Spicy drowned beef 

If you're a fan of paninis, this recipe is for you. Deli roast beef is sandwiched between whole-wheat slider buns, drowned in salsa verde, and served with onions and jalapeño. Pair this recipe with its spicy dipping sauce. 

Ingredients

• 12 ounces thinly sliced low-sodium deli roast beef, cut into 1/2" strips 
• 2 teaspoons olive oil 
• 1 cup thinly sliced onion 
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced jalapeño pepper (about 1 jalapeño pepper) 
• 3/4 cup salsa verde, divided 
• 1/2 cup no-salt-added tomato sauce 
• 1 to 2 teaspoons chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce 
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 
• 8 whole-wheat slider buns

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6. ROAST BEEF & VEGGIE lunch WRAPS 

This is a great way to fit protein, whole grains and veggies into your kid's lunchbox. Change up the traditional roast beef sandwich with a wrap that includes some broccoli slaw and ranch dressing that both parents and kids will love. Mix up the slaw on Sunday and you can easily assemble these throughout the week. 

Ingredients

• 12 ounces cooked beef roast or deli roast beef, thinly sliced 
• 2 cups shredded broccoli slaw 
• 6 tablespoons reduced-fat or fat-free ranch dressing, divided 
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat or fat-free cream cheese, softened 
• 4 medium tortillas (8 to 10-inch diameter)

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7. MEDITERRANEAN BEEF AND VEGGIE WRAPS

In about 10 minutes you've got an easy, portable Mediterranean beef wrap made with common ingredients and fresh vegetables. 

Ingredients

• 12 ounces cooked beef (such as steak, roast, pot roast or deli roast beef), thinly sliced 
• 4 medium whole wheat flour tortillas or PITA (8 to 10-inch diameter) 
• Hummus
• Fresh salad greens (such as baby spinach, arugula, mixed salad greens or thinly sliced Romaine)
  
• Grape tomato halves, shredded carrots, red bell pepper strips, or thinly sliced cucumber

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8. beef and cream cheese bagelwich

Think bagel and lox, but sub in your favorite steak or roast beef. Yep, our mouth is watering, too.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces cooked beef (such as steak, roast, pot roast or deli roast beef), thinly sliced 
• 4 thin-style flavored bagels or regular bagels, split 
• 1/3 cup reduced-fat cream cheese 
• 2 tablespoons nonpareil capers 
• 8 thin slices tomato 
• 4 thin slices red onion, separated into rings 

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9. Reuben Bites

This one is more of a snack meal, but combine it with a salad or some vegetables and you have an easy lunch or dinner in no time. A short stack of subtly spicy corned beef topped with Swiss, kraut and Thousand Island. All the big tastes of a classic Reuben sandwich in an appetizer.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces thinly sliced deli corned beef brisket 
• 1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing, divided 
• 8 slices rye, swirl rye or pumpernickel bread 
• 4 slices Swiss cheese (about 3/4 ounce each) 
• 1 cup drained sauerkraut

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10. potluck sliders 

Thinly sliced deli roast beef is sandwiched between rolls and baked with cheese till golden and delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 pound thinly sliced reduced-sodium deli roast beef 
•  package Hawaiian rolls (12 count) 
• 1/4 cup cream-style prepared horseradish 
• 6 slices reduced-fat provolone cheese 
• 1/3 cup butter, melted 
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley leaves 
• 2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar 
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

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