Knuckle Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds beef knuckle roast (sirloin tip roast) – patted dry
- 2 tsp kosher salt – for roast
- 1 tsp black pepper – for roast
- 2 cloves garlic – finely grated, for roast
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard – for roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil – for roast
- 1 tsp rosemary – finely chopped, for roast
- 1 tsp thyme leaves – finely chopped, for roast
- 24 ounces yellow onions – thinly sliced (~5 medium yellow onions)
- 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter – for onions
- 1 tbsp olive oil – for onions
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt – for onions
- 2 tbsp water – for deglazing onions
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar – for onions
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise – for sauce
- 2 tbsp prepared horseradish – for sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice – for sauce
- 1/4 tsp black pepper – for sauce
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt – for sauce
- 2 cups arugula – for assembly
- 6 each sandwich rolls – split
- 1 tbsp olive oil – for toasting rolls
Instructions
1. Pat the beef knuckle roast (sirloin tip roast) dry. In a small bowl, mix together the kosher salt (for roast), black pepper (for roast), garlic, Dijon mustard, olive oil (for roast), rosemary, and thyme leaves to form a paste. Rub all over the roast and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes while you heat the oven to 450°F.
2. Start the onions: Warm the unsalted butter and olive oil (for onions) in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the yellow onions and the kosher salt (for onions). Cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and soft, 25–35 minutes; if the pan looks dry, add a splash of the water. Deglaze with the remaining water and the apple cider vinegar, scraping up browned bits, then cook until jammy, 2–3 minutes more. Keep warm over low heat.
3. Roast the meat: Set the roast on a rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Roast at 450°F for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven to 275°F and continue roasting until the center reaches 125°F for medium-rare, about 45–75 minutes more depending on thickness. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 20 minutes.
4. Make the horseradish sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, black pepper (for sauce), and kosher salt (for sauce). Refrigerate until ready to use.
5. Slice the meat: Using a sharp knife, thinly slice the roast across the grain into very thin slices, catching any juices on the board.
6. Toast the bread: Arrange the sandwich rolls, cut sides up, on a baking sheet. Brush the cut sides with the olive oil (for toasting rolls) and toast in the 350–400°F oven until the edges are lightly crisp, 3–5 minutes.
7. Assemble: Spread the cut sides of the rolls with horseradish sauce. Layer arugula on the bottoms, pile on warm sliced beef, and top with a generous spoonful of caramelized onions. Cap with the top rolls, press gently, slice if desired, and serve immediately.
A knuckle sandwich, in this culinary sense, is a robust roast beef sandwich built from the beef knuckle (sirloin tip) roast, layered onto crisp-toasted rolls with sweet caramelized onions, a sharp horseradish sauce, and peppery greens. The meat is cooked gently for a rosy interior, then sliced very thin so it stays tender and juicy. The result balances rich beef, creamy heat, gentle sweetness, and a fresh bite for a satisfying, two-handed meal.
The name plays on American slang, but the sandwich has real butcher’s roots: the beef “knuckle” is a classic deli roasting cut prized for lean, beefy flavor when sliced thin. As delis and home cooks popularized sirloin tip roasts, pairings like horseradish, onions, and crusty bread followed naturally. Today, this interpretation turns a joke into a specialty sandwich with clear lineage to American roast beef traditions.