Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Copycat: Your Favorite Fast Food at Home!
Craving that classic combination of thinly sliced roast beef, gooey cheddar sauce, and tangy red ranch on a soft onion bun? You’re in luck! This copycat recipe brings the iconic Arby’s Beef & Cheddar right to your kitchen. Forget the drive-thru, you can recreate this satisfying sandwich with ease and customize it to your heart’s content.
Why Make Your Own?
- Freshness: You control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a fresher and often more flavorful sandwich.
- Customization: Adjust the amount of beef, cheese, and sauce to your liking.
- Cost-Effective: Making sandwiches at home is typically more budget-friendly than frequenting fast food chains.
- Dietary Needs: Easily adapt to gluten-free buns or dairy-free cheese alternatives if needed.
What You’ll Need
Here’s a comprehensive list of ingredients to assemble your ultimate Arby’s Beef & Cheddar copycat:
For the Arby’s Sauce (Red Ranch):
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar for a sharper tang)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a subtle kick)
- Pinch of salt
- (Optional: ¼ teaspoon ground cloves for a more authentic Arby’s flavor, as some claim to taste it!)
For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk (or 2% milk)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or a mix of sharp and mild for balance)
- ¼ cup Cheez Whiz (for that authentic processed cheese consistency and flavor – highly recommended for true copycat results)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of smoked paprika (for color and depth)
For the Sandwich Assembly:
- 4 onion buns (with poppy seeds if you can find them!)
- 1 pound thinly sliced deli roast beef (look for “shaved” or “extra thin” for the best texture)
- 2 tablespoons butter (for toasting buns)
Instructions
Let’s get down to building this masterpiece!
1. Make the Arby’s Sauce:
In a small saucepan, combine the ketchup, water, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt. Whisk everything together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
2. Prepare the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
In another small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Continue whisking until the mixture begins to thicken and simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Cheez Whiz (if using). Keep stirring until both cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add a pinch of salt and smoked paprika, stirring to combine. Keep the sauce warm over very low heat, or rewarm gently just before assembling.
3. Prepare the Roast Beef:
Layer the thinly sliced roast beef in a non-stick skillet. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of water to the skillet. Cover the skillet and heat over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, just until the beef is warmed through and tender. Be careful not to overcook the beef, or it will become tough.
4. Toast the Onion Buns:
Slice the onion buns in half. Spread a thin layer of butter on the inside of both the top and bottom halves of each bun. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the buttered sides of the buns down and toast for 1-2 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and warmed through.
5. Assemble the Sandwiches:
On the bottom half of each toasted onion bun, spread a generous layer of the Arby’s Sauce. Pile a quarter of the warmed roast beef onto the sauce. Drizzle a liberal amount of the warm cheddar cheese sauce over the beef. Place the top bun on the sandwich.
Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your homemade Arby’s Beef & Cheddar sandwiches immediately, perhaps with a side of homemade curly fries for the full experience!
Tips for Success
- Thinly Sliced Roast Beef is Key: This is crucial for replicating the Arby’s texture. Ask your deli to shave the roast beef for you.
- Don’t Overcook the Beef: Just warming it through is enough. Overcooked roast beef will be dry and tough.
- Warm the Sauces: Keeping the sauces warm ensures a melty, delicious sandwich experience.
- Storage: Store the Arby’s sauce and cheese sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently before assembling.
- Add Horsey Sauce: For an even more authentic experience, consider adding a drizzle of homemade Horsey Sauce (mayonnaise mixed with prepared horseradish and a touch of sugar) to your sandwich.
Enjoy recreating this fast-food favorite in the comfort of your own home! It’s a surprisingly simple way to satisfy that Arby’s craving.