Serves: 4 sandwiches
Total Time: 20 minutes
Recreate the iconic Arby’s Beef & Cheddar at home! This copycat recipe features tender deli roast beef, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, and tangy horseradish on a toasted onion roll. It’s the perfect balance of savory flavors and textures – juicy beef, sharp gooey cheese, and that signature sweet-tangy kick, all without leaving your kitchen.
Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Copycat
Recreate the iconic Arby’s Beef & Cheddar sandwich at home! Tender roast beef, creamy cheddar sauce, and tangy horseradish on a toasted onion roll deliver all the flavor of the fast-food favorite in just 20 minutes.
Equipment
- Skillet
- Griddle or skillet for toasting
- Lid for steaming
- Small saucepan (for cheese sauce)
Ingredients
- 1 lb deli-sliced roast beef ultra-thin slices work best
- 4 onion sandwich rolls or Kaiser rolls
- 1 cup cheddar cheese sauce store-bought or homemade
- 0.25 cup creamy horseradish sauce
- 0.25 cup Arby’s-style red ranch sauce optional but authentic
- 1 tbsp butter for toasting buns
Instructions
- Heat the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of water with the roast beef. Cover and steam for 3–4 minutes until heated through.
- Toast the rolls: Butter the insides of each roll. Toast on a hot skillet or griddle until golden and crisp.
- Add sauces: Spread about 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Add red ranch sauce if using.
- Stack the beef: Pile the warm roast beef generously over the sauced buns.
- Add cheese: Heat the cheddar cheese sauce and drizzle about ¼ cup over each sandwich.
- Finish and serve: Top with the toasted bun and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Use ultra-thin sliced roast beef for the most authentic texture. Steam the meat instead of frying to retain moisture. Toasting the rolls adds crucial crunch and prevents sogginess.
Ingredients
- 1 lb deli-sliced roast beef (ultra-thin slices work best)
- 4 onion sandwich rolls or Kaiser rolls
- 1 cup cheddar cheese sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup creamy horseradish sauce
- ¼ cup Arby’s-style red ranch sauce (optional but authentic)
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Heat the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of water with the roast beef. Cover and steam for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
- Toast the rolls: Butter the insides of each roll. Toast on a hot skillet or griddle until golden and crisp.
- Add sauces: Spread about 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Add red ranch sauce if using.
- Stack the beef: Pile the warm roast beef generously over the sauced buns.
- Add cheese: Heat the cheddar cheese sauce and drizzle about ¼ cup over each sandwich.
- Finish and serve: Top with the toasted bun and serve immediately while hot.
What Makes This Recipe Work
- Perfect texture balance – tender beef, gooey cheese, crispy bun
- Authentic flavor – horseradish and red ranch recreate that signature taste
- Quick and easy – ready in just 20 minutes
- Restaurant-quality at home without the drive-thru wait
Variations
- Spicy twist: Use pepper jack cheese or spicy cheese sauce
- Protein swap: Try turkey or brisket instead of beef
- Flavor boost: Use garlic butter on the rolls
- Deluxe version: Add caramelized onions or crispy fried onions
Pro Tips
- Use ultra-thin beef slices for authentic texture
- Steam, don’t fry – covering the skillet keeps beef tender and moist
- Toast the rolls – prevents sogginess and adds crucial crunch
- Serve immediately while everything is hot for best results
- Complete the experience with seasoned curly fries or a side salad
The secret to nailing that Arby’s experience is in the preparation – steamed beef stays moist, toasted rolls add crunch, and the right sauce ratio delivers that nostalgic flavor every time!