Roast beef sits in an odd place on Subway's menu: it is the leanest red meat they sell, one of the highest-protein options per calorie, and almost always among the two or three most expensive subs. Whether that is worth it depends entirely on what you are optimising for.
What you get
Thin-sliced, oven-roasted beef, portioned cold — typically four slices on a 6-inch and eight on a Footlong. It is the same beef that appears in #11 Subway Club, #10 The Beast and #3 The Monster, which is why those three carry the highest price tags in the Series.
Calories and macros
| Build | Calories | Protein | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-inch, veg, no cheese or sauce | ~290–320 | ~24 g | ~5 g |
| 6-inch, cheese and mustard | ~340–380 | ~28 g | ~9 g |
| Footlong, standard | ~590–650 | ~48 g | ~11 g |
| No Bready Bowl | ~170–210 | ~23 g | ~5 g |
Roughly 24 g of protein for under 320 calories is the best ratio on the cold side of the menu — better than tuna, better than ham, comparable to double turkey. Only rotisserie-style chicken beats it. Context is in the nutrition guide.
Price and value
Expect $7.29–$9.49 for a 6-inch and $11.99–$15.49 for a Footlong. It rarely appears in the Sub of the Day rotation and is often excluded from Footlong promotions, so the app is where discounts happen — see coupons.
Against Steak & Cheese: roast beef is leaner, higher in protein and eats better cold; steak is warmer, cheesier and usually a dollar or two cheaper. If you are eating for macros, roast beef wins. If you want comfort food, it does not.
How to build it
- Cold, on hearty multigrain. Toasting dries thin roast beef out.
- Spinach, red onion, tomato, pickles. Onion and beef is the pairing that matters.
- Horseradish-style heat: yellow mustard plus black pepper is the closest Subway gets.
- Skip cheese if you want the leanest version; provolone if you don't care.
- Double meat on a 6-inch beats a standard Footlong for protein per dollar.
Frequently asked
Is Subway roast beef healthy?
By fast-food standards, yes — lean, high protein, moderate sodium. The sauces and cheese are what change that.
Is roast beef available everywhere?
No. Some franchises drop it for low turnover; check your store in the Subway app before travelling for it.
Prices and nutrition are approximate 2026 US figures and vary by franchise. Confirm in the Subway app.
