Cold Roast Beef with Summer Herb Dressing

Serve it warm, serve it cold. Serve it with sparkling shiraz. Serve it on Christmas Day as an alternative to a hot roast or entertaining guests when you want to do the cooking before everyone arrives. This is a country classic that has been doing the rounds of farmhouse kitchens for over half a century and still tastes fresh and delicious. Serve with salads, especially potato salad and fresh tomatoes.

Serves 8

Ingredients

Roast Beef

  • 1.5-1.8 kg beef eye fillet, trimmed of fat and sinew

  • 1 tbsp. crushed black peppercorns

  • 1 tbsp salt

  • 30g butter

  • 30ml olive oil

Dressing

  • 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped

  • 2 tbsp fresh tarragon, finely chopped

  • 3 green (spring) onions, thinly sliced

  • 1 tbsp capers, chopped

  • 2 tsp drained canned green peppercorns

  • 1 tsp hot English mustard

  • 125ml (1/2 cup) tarragon or French white wine vinegar

  • 125ml (1/2 cup) extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • Parsley leaves for garnish

 

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C.  Roll beef in salt and crushed peppercorns. Press the peppercorns in well.  Heat butter and oil in a heavy-based roasting pan over medium heat on the stove.  Add the beef and cook on all sides until seared and browned.  

Place the beef in the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes for medium-rare. A meat thermometer will read 55°C. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Alternatively, you can wrap it in plastic film and chill for several days.

While the beef is cooking make the sauce by placing all the ingredients for the dressing into a glass jar, seal the lid and shake vigorously until the sugar has dissolved. Check for seasoning. Slice beef thinly and arrange on serving dish in overlapping rows.  Top with dressing, garnish with extra parsley leaves. 

Scroll down for printable recipe.


Servings: 8
Author:
Cold Roast Beef Fillet with Herb Dressing

Cold Roast Beef Fillet with Herb Dressing

Serve it warm, serve it cold. Serve it with sparkling shiraz. Serve it on Christmas Day as an alternative to a hot roast or entertaining guests when you want to do the cooking before everyone arrives. This is a country classic that has been doing the rounds of farmhouse kitchens for over half a century and still tastes fresh and delicious. Serve with salads, especially potato salad and fresh tomatoes.

Ingredients

Beef Fillet
  • 1.5-1.8 kg beef eye fillet, trimmed of fat and sinew
  • 1 tbsp. crushed black peppercorns
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 30g butter
  • 30ml olive oil
Herb Dressing
  • 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh tarragon, finely chopped
  • 3 green (spring) onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp capers, chopped
  • 2 tsp drained canned green peppercorns
  • 1 tsp hot English mustard
  • 125ml (1/2 cup) tarragon or French white wine vinegar
  • 125ml (1/2 cup) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Parsley leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Roll beef in salt and crushed peppercorns. Press the peppercorns in well. Heat butter and oil in a heavy based roasting pan over medium heat on the stove. Add the beef and cook on all sides until seared and browned.
  2. Place the beef in the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes for medium-rare. A meat thermometer will read 55°C. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Alternatively, you can wrap in plastic film and chill for several days.
  3. While the beef is cooking make the sauce by placing all the ingredients for the dressing into a glass jar, seal the lid and shake vigorously until the sugar has dissolved. Check for seasoning. Slice beef thinly and arrange on serving dish in overlapping rows. Top with dressing, garnish with extra parsley leaves.
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Sarah Lang

I’m the founder of The YBR Agency, a branding, strategy and creative agency based in regional Victoria, Australia. I built my first Squarespace website in 2011 and have been a passionate advocate for the platform ever since.

Over the years I’ve designed and launched hundreds of Squarespace websites for businesses of all shapes and sizes, and I’m proud to be recognised as both a Squarespace Gold Circle Partner and Marketplace Expert.

Later in 2026, I’ll be launching Squareform — a specialist Squarespace website studio focused exclusively on helping businesses create strategic, high-performing websites without the complexity that often comes with traditional web projects.

My approach combines strategic thinking, clear content and strong SEO foundations with streamlined systems that make the process simpler and more enjoyable for clients. The goal isn’t just to create beautiful websites; it’s to create websites that genuinely work for the businesses behind them.

One of the ideas behind Squareform is building a collaborative network of trusted Squarespace professionals who can support one another as projects, opportunities and life commitments ebb and flow. Whether that’s sharing knowledge, referring work, collaborating on larger projects or helping out when life inevitably throws a curveball, I believe our industry is stronger when we work together rather than compete in isolation.

Although I’m based in regional Australia, I work with clients throughout Australia and internationally, and I’m always happy to connect with fellow Squarespace professionals.

When I’m not immersed in Squarespace, you’ll find me writing about food, wine and travel, extolling the virtues of life in Daylesford, Victoria, and serving as chief-of-staff to Doogie the Bulldog, who remains convinced he is the town’s unofficial mayor, tourism mascot and most recognisable local identity.

http://www.yellowbrickroadagency.com.au/
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