Homemade Arby's Beef and Cheddar: Complete

Name: Homemade Arby's Beef and Cheddar Sandwich
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup ketchup; 1 teaspoon water; 1/8 teaspoon onion powder; 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons milk; 1 cup Cheez Whiz; 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 16 ounces sliced roast beef (higher quality lunch meat); 4 onion sandwich buns; 2 tablespoons butter

This copycat Arby's Beef and Cheddar sandwich recreates the fast-food classic with homemade red ranch and cheddar cheese sauces in just 30 minutes. The key to authenticity is balancing the tangy, slightly sweet red sauce with a creamy, sharp cheddar coating.

🍴Arby's Copycat

🌍American 🏷️Arby's beef and cheddar 🏷️Arby's recipes 🏷️Beef and cheddar sandwich

Homemade Arby's Beef and Cheddar: Complete Copycat Recipe

Total

30 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Hard

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Copykat

Ingredients

1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon water
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup Cheez Whiz
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 ounces sliced roast beef (higher quality lunch meat)
4 onion sandwich buns
2 tablespoons butter

13 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Combine the ketchup, water, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Stir to combine. Set aside.
2
Heat the Cheez Whiz, milk, and shredded cheddar cheese in a small saucepan on low heat until the cheese has melted. Reduce heat to a simmer.
3
Layer slices of roast beef in a nonstick skillet.
4
Sdd 1 tablespoon of water. Place the lid on the skillet. Turn the heat to medium and allow the beef to steam for 3 to 4 minutes.
5
In the meantime, slice the onion buns if necessary
6
Butter the inside of the buns, and toast in a hot skillet.
7
Build the sandwich by spreading about 1 tablespoon of Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce on the bottom bun. Add 1/4 of the roast beef to each sandwich, and top with Arby’s Cheese Sauce. Cover the sandwich with the top bun.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Layer the beef and sauces while the bun is still warm so the cheese sauce melts slightly and adheres better.
Use room-temperature deli beef and warm it gently to avoid toughening—overheating dries out the meat quickly.
Mix the red ranch sauce thoroughly to emulsify the vinegar and worcestershire for balanced tanginess without overpowering individual flavors.
Cheez Whiz mimics the original's texture better than block cheddar alone; if using block cheese, add milk or cream to reach a pourable consistency.

Substitutions

Apple cider vinegar → white vinegar (slightly sharper, use same amount)
Worcestershire sauce → soy sauce (use ½ teaspoon for less saltiness)
Cheez Whiz + shredded cheddar → all shredded sharp cheddar melted with 2 tablespoons heavy cream (richer flavor, less authentic texture)

Storage & make-ahead

Store assembled sandwiches wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat wrapped in foil at 350°F for 5–7 minutes. Sauces keep separately in airtight containers for up to 5 days.

Common Questions

Can I use regular sliced cheddar instead of Cheez Whiz?

Yes, but Cheez Whiz creates the signature creamy texture closer to Arby's. If substituting, melt shredded cheddar with a splash of milk for a smoother sauce.

What type of beef works best for this sandwich?

Thinly sliced deli roast beef or shaved beef works best. You can also slice leftover roast beef thinly or use quality deli counter beef.

Can I make the sauces ahead of time?

Yes. Store both sauces in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.