Copycat Arby’s Horsey Sauce Recipe You Can Make at Home

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Copycat Arby’s Horsey Sauce Recipe


Bowl of creamy copycat Arby’s Horsey Sauce with a roast beef sandwich, fries, pickles, and veggie sticks on a wooden table.
Whip up this cool, creamy copycat Arby’s Horsey Sauce and give roast beef sandwiches, fries, and snacks that tangy horseradish kick everyone remembers.

If you love that cool, creamy, zippy sauce from Arby’s, this easy copycat Arby’s Horsey Sauce recipe is about to become a favorite in your kitchen. It’s tangy, a little sharp, a little sweet, and incredibly good on roast beef sandwiches, burgers, fries, and even as a dip for veggies.

The best part? You can make this homemade horsey sauce in just a few minutes with simple ingredients from the grocery store. No special tools. No complicated steps. Just stir, chill, and enjoy.

What Is Arby’s Horsey Sauce?

Arby’s is an iconic fast food chain in the USA, best known for its roast beef sandwiches and bold sauces. One of the most loved condiments on the menu is Horsey Sauce®. It has a creamy base with the punch of horseradish, giving it a cool-and-spicy flavor that wakes up every bite.

That’s really what makes it stand out. It’s not hot like buffalo sauce, and it’s not smoky like barbecue sauce. Instead, it has a smooth, rich texture with a nose-tingling kick that feels bright and refreshing. Spread on a warm roast beef sandwich, it melts into the meat just enough while still adding that unmistakable bold flavor.

This recipe is a copycat version inspired by the restaurant favorite. We are not claiming it is the original or exact recipe, just a tasty homemade version that captures the same creamy, tangy, horseradish-forward feel people love.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Horsey Sauce Recipe

  • Quick to make — ready in about 5 minutes.
  • Easy ingredients — nothing fancy here.
  • Perfect for sandwiches — especially roast beef.
  • Customizable — make it sharper, sweeter, or creamier.
  • Better fresh at home — you can control the flavor exactly how you like it.

If you’ve ever asked for extra Horsey Sauce packets at the drive-thru, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients for Homemade Horsey Sauce

Here’s what you’ll need to make this copycat Arby’s Horsey Sauce at home:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, drained well
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Optional:

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for extra tang
  • 1 teaspoon sour cream for a softer, extra creamy finish

Ingredient Notes and Helpful Tips

Prepared horseradish is the key ingredient here. This is not the same as plain fresh horseradish root. Prepared horseradish comes in a jar and usually has vinegar added. Be sure to drain it well so your sauce does not get watery.

Mayonnaise gives the sauce its smooth texture. Use a good-quality mayo for the best flavor. Since this recipe is not cooked, freshness matters.

Sugar helps round out the sharp horseradish bite. Don’t worry, the sauce will not taste sweet. It simply helps balance everything, kind of like adding a pinch of sugar to tomato sauce.

Serving Size, Prep Time, and Nutrition

  • Prep time: 5 minutes
  • Chill time: 30 minutes recommended
  • Total time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: About 3/4 cup
  • Serving size: 2 tablespoons
  • Servings: About 6

Approximate nutrition per serving:

  • Calories: 90
  • Fat: 9g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Sodium: 140mg
  • Sugar: 1g

Nutrition values are estimates and can vary based on the exact brands you use.

How to Make Copycat Arby’s Horsey Sauce

This recipe is wonderfully simple, but a few small details make a big difference.

  1. Drain the horseradish.
    Open the jar of prepared horseradish and spoon out 2 tablespoons. Let some of the extra liquid drip off before adding it to your bowl. This helps keep the sauce thick and creamy instead of runny.
  2. Add the ingredients to a small mixing bowl.
    Add the mayonnaise, drained horseradish, white vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. If you want a little extra tang, add the Dijon mustard now. If you want a creamier and slightly milder sauce, add the sour cream.
  3. Whisk until smooth.
    Use a small whisk or spoon and stir until everything is fully combined. Make sure there are no pockets of mayo or clumps of seasoning left behind. The sauce should look smooth and pale with tiny bits of horseradish throughout.
  4. Taste and adjust.
    Give it a taste. Want more kick? Add another teaspoon of prepared horseradish. Want it a little brighter? Add a few drops of vinegar. Want to soften the sharpness? Add just a touch more mayo.
  5. Chill before serving.
    Cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes. This step really helps. The flavors blend together, and the sauce becomes more balanced and more like the restaurant-style version.
  6. Serve cold.
    Spoon onto roast beef sandwiches, sliders, wraps, burgers, or use it as a dipping sauce for fries and onion rings.

Food safety tip: Because this sauce contains mayonnaise and is served cold, keep it refrigerated. Do not leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour if the room is very warm.

What to Serve with Horsey Sauce

This horseradish sandwich sauce is best known for roast beef, but don’t stop there. It can do a lot more than one job.

One of my favorite easy lunches is a deli roast beef sandwich on a soft bun with lettuce, tomato, and a thick swipe of this sauce. It instantly feels more special, like something you picked up on the way home.

Easy Home Kitchen Shortcuts

This recipe is already very easy, but here are a few ways to make it even more convenient:

  • Use a jar with a lid: Add all the ingredients to a small mason jar, close the lid, and shake until mixed.
  • Make it ahead: Prepare it the night before. It tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge.
  • Use packet mayo: If you’re making a single sandwich, you can mix a smaller batch with mayo packets and a spoonful of horseradish.
  • Turn it into a dipping sauce: Stir in a little sour cream to make it more mellow and dip-friendly.

This is one of those recipes that feels almost too easy, but the result is so good that nobody complains.

Allergy-Friendly and Diet Modifications

One thing that makes homemade sauces so useful is how easy they are to adjust. If you or someone at your table has a food sensitivity or dietary preference, here are some smart swaps.

For gluten-free:

  • The sauce ingredients are often naturally gluten-free, but always read labels on the mayonnaise, horseradish, mustard, and seasonings.
  • Serve with gluten-free bread, buns, or fries prepared in a gluten-free kitchen if needed.

For dairy-free:

  • This recipe is dairy-free as written if you skip the optional sour cream.
  • Double-check packaged ingredients since brands can vary.

For egg-free:

  • Use an egg-free mayonnaise alternative.
  • Choose one with a mild flavor so it doesn’t overpower the horseradish.

For vegan:

  • Use vegan mayo.
  • Use organic sugar if that matters to your household.
  • Make sure your prepared horseradish and mustard are vegan-friendly by checking labels.

For low-sugar:

  • Reduce the sugar to 1/2 teaspoon, or use a small pinch of a sugar substitute that measures like sugar.
  • The flavor will be a little sharper, but still tasty.

For low-fat:

  • Use light mayonnaise or a mix of light mayo and plain Greek yogurt.
  • Keep in mind this changes the flavor slightly and can make the sauce tangier.

For paleo-style eaters:

  • Use a paleo-approved mayonnaise.
  • Swap the sugar for a small amount of honey if your version of paleo allows it.
  • Check your prepared horseradish for added ingredients that may not fit your needs.

For extra mild sauce:

  • Cut the horseradish to 1 tablespoon.
  • Add 1 to 2 teaspoons sour cream or extra mayo.

For extra spicy sauce:

  • Add more prepared horseradish, 1 teaspoon at a time.
  • A tiny bit of cayenne can also add heat, though it changes the classic flavor.

Storage Tips

  • Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • It’s best used within 4 to 5 days.
  • Stir before serving, especially if any liquid separates.
  • Do not freeze. Mayo-based sauces usually separate after thawing.

If it starts to smell off, looks watery in a strange way, or has been left out too long, it’s best to toss it and make a fresh batch.

Common Questions

Is Horsey Sauce the same as horseradish sauce?

They are very similar, but not always exactly the same. Horsey Sauce® has a creamy, mild, slightly sweet profile. Traditional horseradish sauce can sometimes be sharper or more pungent.

Can I make it stronger?

Yes. Add more prepared horseradish a little at a time until it tastes right to you.

Can I use fresh horseradish?

You can, but the flavor will be much stronger and less like the fast food version. Prepared horseradish is the better choice for a classic copycat taste.

How long should I chill it?

At least 30 minutes is good, but 2 hours is even better if you have time.

Final Thoughts

This copycat Arby’s Horsey Sauce recipe is one of those simple kitchen wins. It takes just a few ingredients, but it adds a big burst of flavor to sandwiches and snacks. Creamy, tangy, and just spicy enough, it’s easy to see why this sauce has such a loyal following.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how you used it. Did you spread it on roast beef sandwiches? Use it as a dip for fries? Add your own twist? Leave a comment and share your version. And if you know someone who always grabs extra sauce packets, send this recipe their way.

Disclaimer

This recipe is a copycat recipe inspired by Arby’s Horsey Sauce®. It is not the original restaurant recipe, and no knowledge of the actual proprietary recipe is implied. This post is created for fans who want a homemade version with a similar taste and texture.

Simply Copycat Recipes is also an Amazon affiliate. That means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links, at no extra cost to you.

Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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