Copycat Arbys Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches Recipe

The Best Copycat Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Sandwich Recipe

Craving a mouthwatering copycat arby’s beef & cheddar sandwiches that brings restaurant magic right to your kitchen?

Passionate sandwich lovers know this classic combination never disappoints hungry crowds.

Soft onion rolls become the perfect canvas for succulent roast beef and melted cheese.

Recreating this iconic fast food favorite requires just a few simple ingredients and minimal kitchen skills.

Each bite promises a nostalgic flavor journey that transports you straight to your favorite drive-thru.

Weekend meal prep suddenly becomes an exciting culinary adventure with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Grab your apron and get ready to impress everyone at the table with these irresistible sandwiches.

Why Copycat Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches Satisfy Cravings

  • Whip Up Restaurant Magic: Recreate the classic Arby's Beef & Cheddar sandwich right in your own kitchen with simple ingredients and easy steps.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Personalize each sandwich by adjusting meat warmth, cheese sauce thickness, and mustard levels to match your taste preferences.
  • Speed into Satisfaction: Prepare a delicious copycat meal in just a few minutes, perfect for quick lunches, casual dinners, or sudden cravings without leaving home.
  • Master Homemade Deli Delights: Build confidence in creating restaurant-style sandwiches with straightforward techniques that require minimal cooking skills.

Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Copycat Ingredients

Main Protein:
  • Roast Beef: Thinly sliced meat that serves as the star of the sandwich.
Bread:
  • Slider Buns, Onion Rolls: Soft bread base for the sandwich.
Cheese and Sauce:
  • Cheddar Cheese Sauce: Creamy, warm sauce that adds rich flavor.
  • French's Classic Yellow Mustard: Tangy condiment for extra zest.
Cooking Fats:
  • Butter, Oil: Used for warming the meat and preventing sticking.
Optional Serving Sauce:
  • Arby's Sauce: Complementary dipping sauce for extra flavor.

Copycat Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches Method

Step 1: Prepare the Meat

Grab a large skillet and warm it over medium heat. Add a splash of butter or oil to the pan. Gently place thinly sliced roast beef into the skillet, warming it carefully for just 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent drying out the meat – you want it perfectly tender and warm.

Step 2: Toast the Bread

While the meat heats up, grab your slider buns or onion rolls. Lightly toast them until they develop a delicate golden crispness. This step adds a satisfying crunch and helps create a sturdy base for your sandwich.

Step 3: Create the Cheese Sauce

In a small saucepan, warm the cheddar cheese sauce over low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure smooth, even heating. The sauce should become silky and inviting, ready to pour over your beef.

Step 4: Build Your Sandwich

Assemble your masterpiece with these layers:
  • Bottom bun
  • Thin spread of classic yellow mustard
  • Warm roast beef
  • Cascading cheese sauce
  • Top bun

Step 5: Serve and Devour

Place your completed sandwich on a plate. For an extra flavor boost, serve with a side of zesty Arby’s sauce for dipping. Enjoy immediately while everything is warm and delicious!

Tips for Recreating That Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Flavor

  • Perfectly Warm Roast Beef: Heat meat gently in a skillet with butter to prevent drying out, ensuring tender and juicy slices without overcooking.
  • Smart Bun Toasting: Lightly toast buns to create a crispy texture that provides structural support and enhances overall sandwich experience.
  • Cheese Sauce Magic: Warm cheese sauce on low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain smooth consistency and prevent burning or separation.
  • Mustard Flavor Boost: Spread thin layer of yellow mustard before adding beef to create a tangy base that complements the rich meat and cheese.
  • Serving Pro Tip: Enjoy sandwiches immediately after assembly to maintain optimal temperature and prevent buns from becoming soggy.

Save Copycat Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches Right

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container, separating meat and buns to prevent sogginess. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • Wrap individual sandwiches tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Label with date for easy tracking.
  • Unwrap frozen sandwich, place on baking sheet. Warm at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, checking midway to prevent drying out. Restore crispness by covering with foil loosely.
  • Reheat meat and cheese sauce separately for best texture. Warm meat 30-45 seconds, cheese sauce 15-20 seconds. Reassemble sandwich immediately after heating to maintain warmth and prevent bread from getting tough.

What Complements Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches

  • Pair with Crisp Potato Companions: Serve alongside classic crinkle-cut fries or kettle-style chips for a crunchy textural contrast that complements the sandwich's rich, meaty profile.
  • Match with Bold Beverage Buddies: Grab an ice-cold root beer or amber ale to cut through the richness of the beef and cheese, providing a refreshing palate cleanser between bites.
  • Create Tangy Side Kick: Prepare a quick pickle spear or coleslaw to add brightness and acidity, balancing the sandwich's heavy flavor and providing a zesty counterpoint.
  • Elevate with Cool Dipping Delight: Whip up a quick horseradish sauce or garlic aioli for an extra layer of flavor that enhances the sandwich's savory notes and adds exciting depth.

Arby Sandwich Copycat Combos

  • Vegetarian Roast: Swap roast beef with grilled portobello mushrooms or seitan slices for a meat-free alternative that maintains a similar texture and protein content.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free rolls or lettuce wraps instead of traditional slider buns, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy the sandwich.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace buns with large lettuce leaves, creating a keto-friendly version that reduces carbohydrate intake while preserving the classic flavor profile.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute cheddar cheese sauce with nutritional yeast-based sauce or vegan cheese sauce to accommodate dairy-free dietary needs.

FAQs

  • What's the key to keeping the roast beef tender?

Warm the beef gently over medium heat for just 1-2 minutes. Avoid overcooking, which can dry out the meat and make it tough. Use minimal butter or oil and heat carefully to preserve its original moisture and texture.

  • Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

While best served fresh, you can prep components in advance. Keep roast beef and cheese sauce separately refrigerated, then reheat gently right before assembling the sandwiches to maintain optimal flavor and texture.

  • What type of mustard works best for this recipe?

French’s Classic Yellow Mustard is recommended, as it provides the traditional Arby’s flavor profile. However, you can substitute with a similar yellow mustard if that specific brand isn’t available.

  • Do I need special equipment to make these sandwiches?

No special equipment is required. A standard large skillet, small saucepan, and basic kitchen tools are sufficient to create these copycat Arby’s Beef & Cheddar sandwiches at home.

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Copycat Arbys Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches Recipe

Copycat Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches Recipe


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4.9 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Arby’s beef & cheddar sandwiches bring classic fast-food comfort straight to home kitchens with savory roast beef and melted cheddar cheese. Hearty meat piled high on warm onion rolls creates a nostalgic meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 1 pound (1 lb) thinly sliced roast beef

Bread:

  • 8 slider buns or onion rolls

Condiments and Cheese:

  • 1 packet French’s Classic Yellow Mustard
  • 1 packet Arby’s Sauce
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) butter or oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meat by gently warming thin slices of roast beef in a skillet with a touch of butter or oil, ensuring the meat remains tender and doesn’t dry out.
  2. Simultaneously, lightly toast the slider buns or onion rolls to create a crisp foundation for the sandwich.
  3. Carefully heat the cheddar cheese sauce in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally to maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
  4. Apply a delicate layer of yellow mustard across the bottom half of each toasted bun, creating a tangy base.
  5. Layer the warmed roast beef generously atop the mustard-coated bun, ensuring even coverage.
  6. Cascade the warm, velvety cheddar cheese sauce over the beef, allowing it to slightly drip down the sides.
  7. Crown the sandwich with the top half of the toasted bun, pressing gently to meld the flavors.
  8. Serve the sandwiches immediately, optionally accompanying them with Arby’s Sauce for an extra flavor dimension and dipping experience.

Notes

  • Keep roast beef slightly pink and moist by warming it quickly over medium heat, avoiding prolonged cooking that can make it tough and dry.
  • Lightly toast buns to create a crispy texture that prevents sogginess and provides a sturdy base for sandwich layers.
  • Stir cheese sauce frequently while heating to maintain a smooth, creamy texture without scorching or separating.
  • Use yellow mustard sparingly to add tangy flavor without overwhelming the beef and cheese’s rich taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 980 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Marcus Hale

Marcus Hale

Founder & Recipe Storyteller

Expertise

  • Demystifying knife work, sauce emulsification, and pastry basics.
  • Curating seasonal guides that adapt global recipes to local, in-season produce.
  • Crafting blog posts, videos, and social media tips.

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on global cuisine training emphasizes sustainable cooking and recipe development under accredited chefs.

Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.

At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.

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