Easy Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar Copycat Recipe You’ll Crave

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Copycat Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar® (Easy Homemade Version)

If you’ve ever craved that warm, cheesy, tangy Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar® sandwich at home, you’re in the right place. This easy copycat Beef ’n Cheddar recipe brings all the flavors you love — soft bun, melty cheese, tender roast beef, and that zingy red sauce — straight to your own kitchen. No fancy tools. No long list of hard-to-find ingredients. Just simple, cozy comfort food.

A Quick Background: Arby’s & the Iconic Beef ’n Cheddar®

Arby’s opened back in the 1960s with a simple idea: serve something different from the usual burgers. Thinly sliced roast beef piled high on soft buns ended up becoming their calling card. Over time, they grew into one of America’s favorite fast-food roast beef spots. The Beef ’n Cheddar® has become one of Arby’s most famous sandwiches. It’s all about layers of texture and flavor:
  • Soft, slightly sweet bun that squishes gently when you bite in
  • Warm, juicy sliced roast beef with a savory, beefy aroma
  • Creamy cheddar-style cheese sauce that melts and oozes around every bite
  • Tangy, slightly sweet red sauce that wakes up your taste buds
This recipe is a homemade version inspired by Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar®. The name Beef ’n Cheddar® is a registered trademark of Arby’s IP Holder, LLC. We’re not claiming this is the original formula — just a fun, tasty way to recreate that experience at home using simple, everyday ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Beef ’n Cheddar Recipe

  • Fast – About 20–25 minutes from start to finish.
  • Simple ingredients – Mostly pantry and grocery-store staples.
  • Family-friendly – Great for game day, busy weeknights, or casual get-togethers.
  • Customizable – Adjust the cheese, sauce, and size to fit your taste.
Ever wanted to enjoy your favorite fast-food sandwich without leaving the house (or changing out of sweatpants)? This is your recipe.

Ingredients for Copycat Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar®

Homemade copycat Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar sandwich with melted cheese sauce and roast beef on a toasted bun.
Copycat Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar—an easy homemade version with melty cheese sauce and tender roast beef

Yield: 4 sandwiches Serving size: 1 sandwich

For the Sandwiches

  • 1 lb thinly sliced deli roast beef (preferably rare or medium-rare)
  • 4 onion sandwich buns (or regular hamburger buns if you prefer)
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (for toasting buns)
  • 2–3 Tbsp water or beef broth (to steam/warm the beef)

For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce

For the Tangy Red “Arby’s Style” Sauce

Estimated Nutrition (Per Sandwich)

These are rough estimates and will vary based on your specific ingredients.
  • Calories: ~620
  • Protein: ~33 g
  • Total Fat: ~30 g
  • Carbohydrates: ~52 g
  • Sugar: ~13 g
  • Fiber: ~2–3 g
  • Sodium: ~1600 mg

Prep & Cook Time

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: about 25 minutes

Step-by-Step: How to Make Copycat Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar®

1. Make the Tangy Red Sauce

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together:
    • 1/2 cup ketchup
    • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
    • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 1/4 tsp onion powder
    • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
    • Pinch of salt
  2. Taste and adjust. Want it sweeter? Add another teaspoon of brown sugar. Want more tang? Add a touch more vinegar.
  3. Set aside so the flavors can mingle while you make the cheese sauce.

2. Make the Cheddar Cheese Sauce

This is basically a quick cheese gravy, also called a béchamel with cheese.
  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 Tbsp butter.
  2. Whisk in 2 Tbsp flour. Cook, whisking constantly, for about 1 minute. It should look like a smooth paste (a roux) and smell a bit nutty, not burned.
  3. Slowly pour in 1 cup milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens, 3–4 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.
  4. Turn the heat down to low. Add 1 cup shredded cheddar, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  5. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If it feels too thick, whisk in a splash of milk. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a minute or two longer.
  6. Turn heat to the lowest setting or off, cover, and keep warm. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t form a skin.
Food safety note: Keep the cheese sauce warm but not boiling. If you need to reheat, do it gently over low heat and stir often to prevent scorching.

3. Warm the Roast Beef

We’re just heating the deli roast beef through; it’s already cooked.
  1. Add 2–3 Tbsp water or beef broth to a large skillet and heat over medium-low until steaming.
  2. Add the sliced roast beef in loose piles. Use tongs to separate the slices slightly so they warm evenly.
  3. Cover with a lid and let the beef steam for 2–3 minutes, just until warmed and slightly juicy. Stir once or twice.
  4. Turn the heat to low to keep it warm without overcooking or drying out.
Food safety tip: Deli roast beef is fully cooked, but for safety the USDA recommends reheating leftovers to at least 165°F. If you’re reheating leftovers or homemade roast beef, use a food thermometer and check the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

4. Toast the Buns

That soft, toasty bun is a key part of the Beef ’n Cheddar experience.
  1. Slice the onion buns if they’re not pre-sliced.
  2. Spread the cut sides lightly with softened butter (about 2 Tbsp total).
  3. Place the buns, cut side down, in a skillet over medium heat, or on a hot griddle.
  4. Toast 1–3 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers feel warm and slightly crisp.
You want them lightly toasted — not dark and crunchy.

5. Assemble the Sandwiches

Now for the fun part.
  1. Spread a generous spoonful of the tangy red sauce on the bottom half of each bun.
  2. Top with a warm pile of roast beef (about 1/4 lb per sandwich).
  3. Spoon a good amount of cheddar cheese sauce over the beef. Don’t be shy — it’s called Beef ’n Cheddar for a reason.
  4. Place the top bun on, pressing gently to help everything settle into place.
Serve right away while the buns are warm, the beef is juicy, and the cheese is still luxuriously melty.

Food Safety Tips

  • Keep cooked meats out of the “danger zone” (40°F–140°F) for no more than 2 hours total.
  • If using leftover homemade roast beef, reheat to at least 165°F in the center.
  • Store leftover beef and sauce separately in the fridge and use within 3–4 days.
  • Reheat cheese sauce gently over low heat, stirring in a splash of milk if it thickens too much.

Even Easier Version (For Super Busy Nights)

Some nights you want the full cooking experience. Other nights you just want dinner on the table fast. Here are a few shortcuts to simplify this copycat Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar.

Air Fryer Toasted Buns

  • Spread buns lightly with butter.
  • Place in the air fryer cut side up at 350°F for 2–3 minutes, until lightly toasted.

Microwave Cheese Sauce Shortcut

If you don’t want to mess with a roux:
  1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine:
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar
    • 1/3 cup evaporated milk (or whole milk)
    • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
    • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  2. Microwave in 20–30 second bursts, stirring after each, until smooth and melted.
  3. Season with salt to taste.
It won’t be quite as silky as a stovetop version, but it works very well in a pinch.

Crock-Pot / Slow Cooker Party Option

Feeding a crowd on game day? Turn this into a “Beef ’n Cheddar bar.”
  • In a slow cooker: Add 2–3 lbs sliced roast beef with 1 cup beef broth. Warm on LOW for about 1–1.5 hours until steaming hot.
  • Keep the cheddar sauce in a small slow cooker or a warm pot on the lowest setting.
  • Set out toasted buns and the red sauce so everyone can build their own sandwiches.

Allergy-Friendly & Special Diet Swaps

Everyone should be able to enjoy a cozy, cheesy roast beef sandwich. Here are some common adjustments.

Gluten-Free Option

  • Use gluten-free burger buns instead of onion buns.
  • Swap the all-purpose flour in the cheese sauce for:
  • Confirm your Worcestershire sauce and deli roast beef are labeled gluten free.

Dairy-Free Option

You won’t get an exact Beef ’n Cheddar clone, but you can get very close.
  • Use a plant-based butter or oil to toast the buns.
  • Swap cheddar cheese for a dairy-free cheddar shreds and use unsweetened almond, oat, or soy milk for the sauce.
  • Use dairy-free buns if needed.

Lower-Carb / Keto-ish Tweaks

  • Use a low-carb bun or lettuce wrap.
  • Replace brown sugar in the red sauce with a low-carb sweetener (like erythritol or monk fruit).

Not Ideal for Vegan or Paleo

This particular recipe is built on beef and cheese, so it’s not a great fit for strict vegan or paleo diets. You could experiment with:
  • Thinly sliced seitan or jackfruit for vegan “beef”
  • Paleo-style cashew “cheese” sauce
…but at that point you’re moving into a completely different (though still tasty!) recipe.

Serving Ideas & Leftover Tips

  • Serve with: curly fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, or a simple side salad.
  • Leftover roast beef: Use it in quesadillas, grilled cheese, or breakfast hash.
  • Extra cheese sauce: Drizzle over fries, nachos, or steamed broccoli.
If you’ve ever dipped fries into the cheese sauce at the restaurant, you already know this is a good idea.

Let’s Chat — Did You Try This Copycat Beef ’n Cheddar?

I’d love to hear how this homemade Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar copycat turned out in your kitchen. Did you tweak the sauce? Did you double the cheese? Did you serve it for game day or a quick weeknight dinner?
  • Leave a comment below with your tips, questions, or favorite variations.
  • Share this recipe with a friend who loves Arby’s as much as you do.
  • Pin or save it so you can make it again whenever the craving hits.

Disclaimers

This recipe is a copycat-style, homemade version inspired by Arby’s Beef ’n Cheddar® sandwich. Beef ’n Cheddar® and Arby’s® are registered trademarks of Arby’s IP Holder, LLC. Simply Copycat Recipes is not affiliated with or endorsed by Arby’s or any of its parent companies. No knowledge of the actual proprietary recipe, ingredients, or preparation methods is implied or claimed.

Affiliate Disclosure: Simply Copycat Recipes is an Amazon Associate and may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you when you use our affiliate links. This helps support the site so we can keep bringing you more copycat recipes.

Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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