The effects of time postmortem and binders on the quality of raw and cooked restructured beef rolls were determined. The use of prerigor meat (1–5 h postmortem) or Activa resulted in higher bind strength for both raw and cooked rolls than the use of postrigor meat (25 h postmortem) or alginate, respectively. Use of prerigor meat or alginate gave a higher cook yield compared to postrigor meat or Activa binder, respectively. Raw slices of product made with Activa were lighter in color, redder and more yellow (higher Hunter L*, a* and b* values) than products made with alginate. Binder had no effect on aerobic plate counts. Raw slices of Activa bound product had better color and overall appearance than product made with alginate; however, cooked rolls made with alginate were more tender and friable and had better overall eating quality, than Activa bound rolls.