Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar sandwich is a fast food icon, beloved by many for its simple yet tasty combination of ingredients. This popular menu item has been satisfying customers for decades, becoming a signature sandwich for the restaurant chain. But what exactly comes on the Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar? Let’s take a closer look at the components that make this sandwich so crave-worthy.
A Summary of the Main Ingredients
The Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar gets its name from the two primary ingredients:
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Roast beef – Thinly sliced roast beef is the star of the sandwich Arby’s roasts their beef in-house to get maximum tenderness and flavor
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Cheddar cheese sauce – A creamy, gooey cheddar sauce adds a punch of cheesy flavor. Real cheddar cheese gives it a authentic flavor.
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Sesame seed bun – The sandwich comes served on Arby’s signature sesame seed buns, lightly toasted. The seeds provide texture and nutty flavor.
So in essence, it’s tender roast beef and real cheddar cheese sauce served on a soft, toasted bun. But there are a few other toppings that complete this sandwich as well.
The Supporting Ingredients and Toppings
In addition to the main ingredients of roast beef and cheddar sauce the Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar also contains
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Red ranch sauce – A tangy, creamy ranch sauce is spread on the bun for moisture and flavor.
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Shredded lettuce – Crisp shredded lettuce provides freshness and crunch
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Tomato slice – A slice of ripe tomato adds juiciness.
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Onion strings – Fried onion straws give a savory crunch.
These supporting ingredients complement the beef and cheese nicely. The cool lettuce, juicy tomato and crunchy onion strings balance out the warmth and richness of the roast beef and cheese sauce. The ranch sauce acts as a flavor binder, bringing all the components together.
The Signature Sesame Seed Buns
One of the distinguishing features of Arby’s sandwiches are the sesame seed buns. These buns have a signature look and taste. Here are some key facts about the buns used for the Beef ‘n Cheddar:
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Made fresh in-house – Arby’s takes pride in baking their own buns from scratch daily.
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Soft and pillowy – The buns have a soft, pillowy interior perfect for soaking up sauces and juices.
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Toasted – The buns are lightly toasted before sandwich assembly, giving a warm crunch.
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Sesame seeds – Poppy and sesame seeds coat the tops for texture and nutty flavor.
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Holds up well – Despite being soft, the buns are sturdy enough to contain the hearty sandwich ingredients without falling apart.
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Adds sweetness – Subtle sweetness from the bun balances the savory beef and cheese.
The Arby’s sesame seed buns are more than just a vehicle for the sandwich fillings. Their taste and texture are an essential part of what makes the Beef ‘n Cheddar so enjoyable.
Customizing Your Beef ‘n Cheddar
One of the great things about Arby’s is you can customize your sandwiches to suit your preferences. Here are some popular ways to tailor your Beef ‘n Cheddar:
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Add bacon – Get some extra savory crunch by adding bacon strips.
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Extra cheese sauce – Request an additional ladle of gooey cheese sauce to satisfy your cheese cravings.
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More onion strings – If you love the crispy onion garnish, ask for extra to pile on.
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Substitute cheddar sauce for Swiss or pepper jack – Change up the cheese flavor profile if you prefer.
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Light sauce – Ask for light ranch and cheese sauce if you want less mess.
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No onion or tomato – Omit either if raw veggies aren’t your thing.
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On a pretzel bun – For a heartier option, order your sandwich on a pretzel bun.
Part of the fun of the Beef ‘n Cheddar is tweaking it to get the perfect sandwich constructed just the way you like it.
Nutrition Facts and Calorie Count
If you’re minding your calorie intake, here are the nutrition facts for an Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar:
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 24g
- Carbs: 34g
- Protein: 29g
The high protein from the roast beef helps make it relatively filling for the calorie count. Just go easy on special sauce additions to prevent it becoming too calorie-dense.
Deals and Promotions for Beef ‘n Cheddar Lovers
Arby’s frequently runs special offers on their Beef ‘n Cheddar sandwich to provide savings for customers. Here are some current and recent deals:
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2 for $6 – A popular recurring deal allowing you to get two Beef ‘n Cheddars for just $6 total.
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BOGO half off – Buy one Beef ‘n Cheddar, get a second one for half price.
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Beef ‘n Cheddar meal deal – Get the sandwich as part of a meal with curly fries and a drink at a discounted bundle price.
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Mobile app deals – The Arby’s app regularly offers Beef ‘n Cheddar coupons and exclusive app-only deals.
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Happy Hour discounts – Certain locations offer the Beef ‘n Cheddar at a lower price during afternoon and late night Happy Hour.
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Loyalty club savings – Sign up for their loyalty club to earn points and qualify for Beef ‘n Cheddar rewards and bargains.
Taking advantage of these promotions allow you to satisfy your Beef ‘n Cheddar craving while sticking to your budget.
How the Roast Beef is Prepared
Arby’s doesn’t just slice any old roast beef for their signature sandwich. They pride themselves on their in-house roasting method that results in exceptionally tender, moist and flavorful roast beef every time. Here’s a quick look at how they prepare it:
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Selecting cuts – Only high-quality top round or top sirloin beef cuts are used.
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Seasoning simply – The beef is seasoned with just a touch of salt, unlike many overly-seasoned deli meats.
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Slow roasting – Meat is roasted low and slow, up to 8 hours, to break down connective tissues.
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Roasted in-house – Roasting is done daily in each Arby’s location, for the freshest beef.
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Sliced thin – Beef is sliced paper-thin to maximize surface area for sauces to cling to.
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Kept warm – Sliced beef is held in warmers until assembling to preserve heat and moisture.
This meticulous roasting process allows Arby’s to serve roast beef with unparalleled tenderness and juiciness, lifting the Beef ‘n Cheddar to new heights.
Recreating the Magic at Home
While the Beef ‘n Cheddar is hard to perfectly replicate at home, you can come close with high quality ingredients and a few clever tricks:
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Buy deli roast beef – Look for lower sodium, minimally seasoned roast beef at the deli counter.
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DIY cheddar sauce – Make your own sauce blend of cheddar, milk, flour and spices.
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Toast demi baguettes – For the best at-home version of Arby’s-style buns.
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Slice beef ultra thin – Use a very sharp knife to slice deli roast beef as thinly as possible.
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Quick pickle red onions – For fast, tangy onion strings.
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Use mayo and cheddar for ranch taste – Mix mayo and shredded cheddar for a quick ranch substitute.
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Grill beef and bun – Lightly grill sliced roast beef and buns in a panini press.
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Season beef lightly – Keep seasonings simple, just a bit of salt and pepper.
Follow these tips to build an Arby’s-esque Beef ‘n Cheddar without leaving your kitchen.
What to Pair with the Beef ‘n Cheddar
The Beef ‘n Cheddar combo meal from Arby’s comes with curly fries and a drink. But what other menu items pair well with this sandwich? Here are some tasty options:
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Mozzarella sticks – Gooey cheese sticks complement the cheddar flavors.
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Jalapeno poppers – Spicy cream cheese filling balances the beef.
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Jamocha shake – Cool and creamy chocolate-coffee milkshake.
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Chili – Hearty beef chili makes a filling meal companion.
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Corned beef slider – Double up on delicious roast beef.
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Greek gyro – Savory gyro meat pairs nicely with beef.
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Chicken tenders – Crunchy tenders satisfy if you want something lighter.
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Potato cakes – Crispy potato cakes are a nice change from fries.
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Market fresh side salad – Fresh greens help lighten up the meal.
With so many options for sides and combos at Arby’s, you could enjoy a different Beef ‘n Cheddar meal every time.
A Tasty Classic Done Right
The simplicity of a good roast beef sandwich is hard to beat, and Arby’s does it right with their Beef ‘n Cheddar. Juicy roast beef, real cheddar cheese sauce, soft bun, and classic sandwich toppings come together in perfect harmony. No wonder this signature menu item has been a favorite for decades. Understanding everything that goes into making this iconic sandwich so craveable makes it easy to see why people keep coming back for more. Next time you’re debating what to order at Arby’s, follow your instincts and go with this classic choice.
What Goes With Beef & Cheddars
Curly fries or Mozzarella Sticks are the classics that you can find at Arby’s. But at home you can serve with anything.
Copycat recipes are some of my favorite to make. They are always fun to make at home! Not only are they usually cheaper, but more often than not they are also healthier. Or you can make them that way. So you can have them more often!
And getting to have your favorites more often is always a win. These sandwiches are super easy, you are going to have them on repeat before you know it!
How To Make Arby’s Beef & Cheddar
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and instructions.
- Heat Roast Beef. The roast beef just needs to be heated in a large skillet with water over medium heat. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, until it is warmed through.
- Make Cheese Sauce. Mix everything together in a small saucepan until it is melted and smooth. Make sure to stir occasionally so it doesn’t burn.
- Make Red Ranch Sauce. Mix together all of the ingredients and warming in a small saucepan for 4-5 minutes until it is warm.
- Assemble. Spread some of the red sauce on the bun, piling on the roast beef, and then covering it with cheese.
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FAQ
What is on an Arby’s beef n Cheddar?
About the Sandwich
We took our famous roast beef, topped it with Cheddar cheese sauce and zesty Red Ranch and served it on a toasted onion roll.
What does Arby’s roast beef sandwich have on it?
Our Arby’s® Roast Beef Classic sandwich has thinly sliced, oven roasted beef piled high on a toasted sesame seed bun. Try it with our delicious Arby’s Sauce®, or for an extra kick go with the zesty Horsey Sauce®. What could make our signature sandwich even more delicious?
What is Arby’s red ranch sauce made of?
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Reddit · r/MimicRecipeshttps://www.reddit.comArby’s “red ranch” sauce (it’s not a ranch tho?) : r/MimicRecipes – RedditAug 2, 2020 — I used to work at Arby’s. Red Ranch is basically Catalina salad dressing. Our store was across the parking lot from a Walmart. One time we ran out of…
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YouTube · It’s Only Food w/Chef John Polittehttps://www.youtube.comArby’s Red Ranch Sauce | It’s Only Food w/ Chef John Politte – YouTubeMay 15, 2023 — so let’s add our ketchup. … our apple cider vinegar. and our garlic and onion powder. … yep it does have a lot of acidity from that um apple cid…
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Arbyshttps://cds.arbys.caArby’s® Menu Items and IngredientsRed Ranch Sauce: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soybean Oil, Corn-Cider Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Distilled Vinegar, Water, Salt, Paprika, Spice, Beet Juice (for color)
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Tasting Tablehttps://www.tastingtable.comWhat Exactly Is Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce (And Is It Actually Ranch)?6 days ago — The sauce is a bit of a misnomer, as the listed ingredients don’t include what you might otherwise expect out of a ranch-based recipe. Instead, the sa…
What is the difference between Arby’s roast beef and beef and cheddar?
Classic Beef ‘n Cheddar
There are two main differences between Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar and its Classic Roast Beef sandwich: The bun and the cheese sauce. While the Classic Roast Beef comes on a sesame seed bun, the Beef ‘n Cheddar sandwich comes on an onion bun.