Copycat Arby's Beef and Cheddar

This copycat Arby's Beef and Cheddar sandwiches are so delicious, you won't believe they're homemade. Complete with homemade Arby's cheese sauce, homemade Arby's red ranch sauce, and razor-thin shaved roast beef, all piled onto an onion poppy seed bun.

Skip the drive-through-- because you won't believe this copycat Arby's Beef and Cheddar sandwich is homemade, and not from the drive-through.

It's everything you love about the original Arby's Beef and Cheddar sandwich, (including the fact that it's quick and easy), but from scratch.

This recipe shows you how to duplicate the Arby's cheese sauce, the famous Arby's red ranch sauce, and how to assemble thin-sliced roast beef piled onto a signature onion poppy seed bun.

The bonus is that you get to control the quality of the ingredients by making them homemade when you purchase the ingredients.

Ingredients

Roast beef- Ask your neighborhood deli to slice your roast beef for you (usually at no charge).

Request that it is sliced on the absolute thinnest setting, resulting in razor-thin shaved beef just like at Arby's.

Buns- Choose your favorite large hamburger buns; if you can find onion buns, great!

Otherwise, the recipe includes instructions on how to add onions and poppy seeds to the bun tops.

Cheese- Use a combination of sharp or extra sharp cheddar and American (if you're worried about quality, opt for Organic American cheese-yes, it does exist).

The sharp cheddar is for flavor, and the American is what will make the copycat Arby's cheese sauce saucy and smooth.

Apple cider vinegar- can substitute white vinegar, but apple cider is preferred. Don't use balsamic.

Half and Half- Can substitute milk.

Paprika- use regular paprika, which is usually labeled as sweet paprika or Spanish paprika. Don't use smoked paprika if you want the sandwich to taste like an original Arby's Beef and Cheddar.

Roast Beef

Warm up the roast beef.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap the roast beef in foil, and keep warm in the oven while you prepare the rest of the components of the sandwich.

The roast beef can stay in the oven until it's time to assemble the sandwiches.

Arby's Cheese Sauce

The homemade Arby's cheese sauce recipe is very easy, but it does require a certain ratio of ingredients and a slow melt.

The cheese sauce should be started first because the cheese needs to be melted slowly.

The rest of the recipe can be prepared as it is melting and becoming smooth.

Shred the cheese off the block. See recipe notes below (right before the recipe card) for more instructions on, and how to choose American cheese.

Add the cheese, half and half, and seasonings to a small saucepan and heat on medium-low heat.

Cover, and stir every 5-10 minutes until melted and smooth, then reduce heat to the lowest setting while preparing the rest of the recipe.

Note: if you don't want to make the cheese sauce from scratch, you can use pre-made, canned cheddar cheese sauce, heated up on the stovetop.

Arby's Sauce (Red Ranch)

Getting the Arby's sauce right is key. It's important to cook the spices and allow the flavors to marry.

Add the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and spices, and water to a small saucepan and simmer on medium-high heat for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, stir in mayonnaise, and set aside.

Note: If you don't want to make the Arby's red ranch sauce from scratch, you can substitute Catalina or Dorothy Lynch dressing.

See recipe notes for preparing the Arby's sauce in the microwave.

Onion Buns

Heat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit if it isn't heated already (the first step was to heat the roast beef in the oven).

Arrange the buns on a baking sheet.

Whisk egg white (or butter, although egg white will make things stick much better) and brush on the tops of the buns.

Sprinkle the minced, dried onion and poppy seeds on the buns; bake for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and the onions and seeds are sticking.

Wrap the buns in foil to keep warm, and set aside.

Assembly

To assemble the sandwich, remove the warm buns from the foil.

Spoon on some of the red ranch sauce.

Then, pile with shaved roast beef.

Spoon a spoonful of the Arby's cheese sauce over the top of the roast beef. Follow with another splat of Arby's red ranch sauce, then the top bun.

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