diff --git a/_modules/node.py b/_modules/node.py
--- a/_modules/node.py
+++ b/_modules/node.py
@@ -117,6 +117,31 @@
     return role in list('roles', nodename)
 
 
+def filter_by_role(pillar_key, nodename=None):
+    '''
+    A function to filter a dictionary by roles.
+
+    The dictionary must respect the following structure:
+      - keys are role to check the current node against
+      - values are list of items
+
+    Returns a list, extending all the filtered lists.
+
+    CLI Example:
+
+        salt * node.filter_by_role web_content_sls
+    '''
+    roles = list('roles', nodename)
+    dictionary = __pillar__.get(pillar_key, {})
+    filtered_list = []
+
+    for role, items in dictionary.iteritems():
+        if role in roles:
+            filtered_list.extend(items)
+
+    return filtered_list
+
+
 def get_wwwroot(nodename=None):
     '''
     A function to determine the wwwroot folder to use.
diff --git a/_tests/data/forests.yaml b/_tests/data/forests.yaml
--- a/_tests/data/forests.yaml
+++ b/_tests/data/forests.yaml
@@ -7,9 +7,19 @@
   egladil:
     forest: lothlorien
     hostname: egladil.lothlorien.forest
+    roles:
+      - treecity
   entwash:
     forest: fangorn
     hostname: entwash.node
+    roles:
+      - border
+
+items_by_role:
+  treecity:
+    - Caras Galadhon
+  border:
+    - Onodlo
 
 shellgroups_ubiquity:
   - ubiquity
diff --git a/_tests/modules/test_node.py b/_tests/modules/test_node.py
--- a/_tests/modules/test_node.py
+++ b/_tests/modules/test_node.py
@@ -22,3 +22,25 @@
                          node.get_wwwroot())
         self.assertEqual("wwwroot/entwash.node/www",
                          node.get_wwwroot('entwash'))
+
+    def test_filter_by_role(self):
+        node_key = self.grains['id']
+
+        self.assertEqual(['Caras Galadhon'],
+                         node.filter_by_role('items_by_role'))
+
+        self.assertEqual(['Onodlo'],
+                         node.filter_by_role('items_by_role', 'entwash'))
+
+        # No role
+        self.pillar['nodes'][node_key]['roles'] = []
+        self.assertEqual([],
+                         node.filter_by_role('items_by_role'))
+
+        # More than one role
+        self.pillar['nodes'][node_key]['roles'] = [
+            'border',
+            'treecity'
+        ]
+        self.assertEqual(['Caras Galadhon', 'Onodlo'],
+                         sorted(node.filter_by_role('items_by_role')))