When I’m craving a chain-style roast beef sandwich at home, I turn to these seven Food Lion ingredients for the familiar savory flavors and satisfying contrasts that make every bite worth lingering over.
Prices were checked at foodlion.com on November 7; they vary by store and change with each week’s ad.
1. Food Lion Deli Thin Roast Beef Sliced – $3.98
Skip the Arby’s Roast Beef run and start with these fully cooked, thin slices when lunch needs to happen quickly. The 7-ounce package is an affordable base for a generously layered cold sandwich or an easy hot one.
Taste: The beef has a solid everyday savoriness without heavy seasoning taking over. Its thin, flexible texture makes it easy to fold into airy layers instead of forming one dense stack.
Make It Better: Warm the slices gently in a little beef broth, just until heated, to keep them juicy.
Parting Thoughts: For a dependable weeknight sandwich at a sensible price, this earns its refrigerator space.
2. Food Lion Onion Bulkie Rolls – 4 ct – $3.99
A mild onion bulkie roll brings the savory character of an Arby’s onion roll or Lion’s Choice bun to a homemade build. Its sturdy shape is especially useful when dinner involves plenty of beef, cheese, sauce, and napkins.
Taste: The onion flavor is noticeable but restrained, so it complements the meat rather than masking it. The roll feels soft while remaining sturdy enough for a substantial filling.
Make It Better: Lightly toast the split surface before adding horseradish sauce; that extra structure helps guard against sogginess.
Parting Thoughts: Onion-averse eaters should pass, but everyone else gets a flavorful upgrade over a plain bun.
3. Kraft Horseradish Sauce – $2.99
For anyone craving Arby’s Horsey Sauce, this creamy horseradish sauce supplies that familiar sharp finish in an easy squeeze bottle. I reach for it when a cold roast beef sandwich tastes a little too polite.
Taste: Creaminess softens the horseradish heat, but the sauce still delivers a lively, spicy bite. Its smooth, spreadable consistency coats the bread evenly without adding grated texture.
Make It Better: Mix it with a little mayonnaise for a gentler spread, or apply it directly when you want more punch.
Parting Thoughts: Heat seekers may want something sharper, though this is an approachable crowd-pleaser.
4. McCormick Au Jus Gravy Mix Packet – $1.79
Five minutes on the stovetop turns this packet into a rich dip reminiscent of Roy Rogers or Lion’s Choice au jus. It is my pick for French dip night, especially when ordinary packaged roast beef needs a warmer, more satisfying presentation.
Taste: Spices, celery, and garlic give the sauce a savory, beefy profile with more dimension than plain broth. The finished consistency is smooth and well suited to soaking the edge of a roll.
Make It Better: Use some of the prepared au jus to warm the beef gently, then reserve the rest for dipping.
Parting Thoughts: French dip devotees will get considerable mileage from this inexpensive pantry packet.
5. Food Lion Deli Not Smoked Provolone Cheese (Regular Sliced) – $7.99/lb
At $7.99 a pound, this mild provolone offers a homemade alternative to Lion’s Choice Swiss or Arby’s cheddar. Order only what you need for hot sandwiches, party trays, or a few days of packed lunches.
Taste: The flavor is creamy and mild, letting the roast beef and horseradish remain the main attractions. Its smooth texture works cold and softens nicely against warm meat.
Make It Better: Lay the cheese directly over warmed beef so the residual heat can soften it before you close the sandwich.
Parting Thoughts: Choose this when you want creamy balance rather than an assertive cheese.
6. Food Lion Fat Free Beef Broth – $1.50
A carton of beef broth is my practical stand-in for chain au jus when I want moist meat without preparing a full gravy. Warm it on the stovetop for quick sandwiches, then use the extra liquid as a light dip.
Taste: The broth has a clean beef flavor that supports rather than overwhelms the sandwich. Its thin, fluid body lightly moistens delicate slices without coating them in thick gravy.
Make It Better: Briefly simmer thin-sliced roast beef in a shallow amount, stopping once the meat is warm so it does not dry out.
Parting Thoughts: It is worth grabbing for juicy hot sandwiches, provided you are mindful of the sodium.
7. Food Lion Prepared Horseradish Refrigerated – $2.99
When Arby’s Horsey Sauce seems too mellow, prepared horseradish gives a homemade spread a fresher, sharper direction. The refrigerated 6.5-ounce jar suits cooks who would rather control the creaminess and heat themselves.
Taste: Its flavor is direct, pungent, and unmistakably horseradish-forward. The grated texture feels more rustic than a smooth squeeze sauce and carries a stronger bite.
Make It Better: Stir a small amount into mayonnaise or sour cream, taste, and add more gradually until the heat suits the table.
Parting Thoughts: Confident horseradish lovers will appreciate the control, while sensitive palates should stick with the creamy sauce.
