Arby’s Beef & Cheddar Copycat – Make This Fast Food Classic at Home!

Craving that iconic Arby’s Beef & Cheddar sandwich? Now you can skip the drive-thru and recreate this mouthwatering classic in your own kitchen! Tender roast beef, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, and tangy Arby’s-style sauce layered on a soft onion bun — it’s everything you love about the original, made fresh at home.

Whether you’re serving this for a weeknight dinner, game day treat, or a satisfying weekend lunch, this copycat recipe hits all the right notes. Bonus: it’s super easy to customize, and it’s sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

Ingredients

For the Arby’s Sauce:

½ cup ketchup
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp paprika
A pinch of garlic powder
A pinch of onion powder
A dash of cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup milk
1 tsp cornstarch (for thickness)
½ tsp Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sandwich:

1 lb thinly sliced roast beef (deli-style or homemade)
1 tsp butter or oil (for warming the beef)
4 onion sandwich buns (or regular burger buns)
Butter (optional, for toasting buns)

Instructions

Make the Arby’s Sauce:

In a small saucepan, combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne (if using).
Bring to a low simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently for 4–5 minutes.
Once thickened slightly, remove from heat and let cool. The flavor will deepen as it rests!

Make the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:

In a small saucepan, whisk the milk and cornstarch together over medium heat until it begins to thicken slightly.
Add shredded cheddar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Stir constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Keep warm or reheat gently before assembling.

Warm the Roast Beef:

In a skillet over medium heat, melt a little butter or oil.
Add the roast beef slices and warm for 1–2 minutes until heated through.
(Be careful not to overcook — you just want it warm and juicy.)

Toast the Buns (Optional but Recommended):

Split the onion buns in half.
Spread a bit of butter on the cut sides and toast in a skillet or under the broiler until golden brown.
This adds flavor and prevents the sauce from soaking into the bun too quickly.

Assemble the Sandwiches:

On the bottom bun, layer warm roast beef.
Drizzle a generous amount of cheddar cheese sauce.
Spoon on the homemade Arby’s sauce.
Top with the other half of the bun and serve hot!
Pro Tips & Variations

Don’t have onion buns? Use brioche buns or burger rolls and add crispy fried onions for that signature flavor.
Want extra tang? Add a few dill pickle slices or a smear of horseradish sauce.
Spicy version? Add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce to the cheese mixture.
Low-carb option? Serve in lettuce wraps or on a low-carb bun.