This Homemade Arby Melts allows you to recreate the mouthwatering flavors and textures of Arby's signature sandwich right in your kitchen, with the bonus of using high-quality ingredients and customizing it to your liking.
You can whip up this fast-food favorite in your very own kitchen, using quality ingredients and without any drive-thru lines or greasy wrappers
Making these sandwiches at home also allows you to control the quality of the ingredients. You can choose premium deli roast beef, freshly baked buns, and your favorite brand of cheese,
Why You Will Love This Homemade Arby Melts
Here are some reasons why you will love this unique and delicious dish:
Iconic flavor combination: The combination of thinly sliced roast beef, tangy Arby's sauce, and creamy cheddar cheese sauce is a beloved flavor profile that many people crave. Making it at home allows you to enjoy those classic flavors whenever you want.
Customization: By preparing the sandwich yourself, you have control over the ingredients and proportions. You can adjust the amount of roast beef, cheese sauce, and Arby's sauce to your liking.
Quality ingredients: Making it at home lets you select high-quality roast beef and cheese. You can opt for premium deli roast beef and your preferred cheddar cheese for the sauce.
Freshness: Preparing the sandwich fresh at home means the bun will be soft, the roast beef will be warm, and the cheese sauce will be gooey and melty. You can assemble it right before eating for optimal taste and texture.
Fun and satisfaction: Many people enjoy the process of recreating their favorite restaurant foods at home. It can be a fun cooking project and there is satisfaction in making a delicious copycat recipe from scratch.
INGREDIENTS
Here’s what you need for this irresistible dish:
- Onion Buns: These provide the classic Arby's sandwich base with a slightly sweet onion flavor.
- Thinly Sliced Deli Roast Beef: The star ingredient, thinly shaved roast beef is essential for replicating Arby's signature sandwich.
- American Cheese Slices: Melted into a creamy sauce, American cheese gives the iconic cheddar flavor.
- Milk: Used to create the smooth, pourable cheese sauce consistency when combined with the cheese slices.
- Garlic Powder: Adds aromatic garlic notes to both the cheese sauce and Arby's signature sauce.
- Ground Black Pepper: Provides a touch of spicy heat and depth of flavor to the cheese sauce.
- Ketchup: Forms the base of the tangy, signature Arby's sauce.
- Water: Thins out the ketchup to create the right sauce consistency.
- Onion Powder: Enhances the savory, onion flavor in the Arby's sauce.
- Salt: Brings out and balances all the flavors in the sauce.
How To Make This Copycat Beef And Cheddar Sandwich
Here are the easy steps for making Homemade Arby Melts:
Step1.Preheat your skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced deli roast beef and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the meat warm through for about 5 minutes.
Step2.While the beef is warming, prepare the Arby's signature sauce. In a small bowl, mix the ketchup, water, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt until well combined. Set the sauce aside.
Step3.In a small saucepan, combine the American cheese slices, milk, garlic powder, and black pepper over medium-low heat. Stir the mixture frequently until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Step4.Spread a generous amount of the prepared Arby's sauce on the inside of each onion bun.
Step5.Once the roast beef is heated through, use tongs to place a portion of the meat on the bottom half of each sauce-covered bun.
Step6.Spoon a generous amount of the melted cheese sauce over the roast beef on each sandwich. If desired, add an extra drizzle of Arby's sauce on top.
Step7.Place the top half of each onion bun onto the cheese-covered roast beef to complete the sandwiches.
Step8.Serve the Homemade Arby Melts immediately, alongside some curly fries for an authentic Arby's experience.
Tips For The Best Homemade Arby Melts
With these top tips, you'll be serving up a mouthwatering masterpiece
- Use thinly sliced deli roast beef for the most authentic texture. Ask the deli counter to shave the roast beef as thin as possible, or look for pre-packaged rare roast beef that's very thinly sliced.
- Warm the roast beef in simmering beef broth or water for just a couple of minutes. This will heat it through without overcooking and drying it out.
- Make the cheese sauce just before assembling the sandwiches so it's nice and warm. If it gets cold and you reheat it, the sauce may break.
- Toast the onion buns lightly if you want to add a little texture and prevent sogginess. Arby's buns are usually slightly toasted.
- Assemble the sandwiches right before serving to keep the buns from getting soggy. Spread sauce on the buns, pile on the warmed roast beef, and generously drizzle with the warm cheddar cheese sauce.
- Serve immediately with curly fries, mozzarella sticks, or jalapeño poppers on the side for the full Arby's experience. You can find these in the frozen foods section of most grocery stores.
How To Store
Here’s how to store copycat Arby's beef and cheddar sandwich.
To Store: Wrap each assembled sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To Freeze: Wrap each assembled sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped sandwiches in a freezer-safe, airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
To Reheat: Unwrap the sandwich and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
Homemade Arby Melts
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Ingredients
- 7 onion hamburger buns 315g
- 1.75 lbs thinly sliced deli roast beef 790g
- 7 slices American cheese 175g
- 3 tablespoon whole milk 45ml
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Black pepper to taste
For the Arby's Signature Sauce:
- ¾ cup ketchup 180ml
- 1 tablespoon water 15ml
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, add the roast beef slices and cover with a lid. Reduce heat to medium-low and warm through, about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the Arby's sauce by mixing the ketchup, water, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the American cheese slices, milk, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and black pepper to taste. Stir frequently until the cheese is fully melted and smooth.
- Spread some of the Arby's sauce on the insides of the onion buns. Layer the warmed roast beef onto the bun bottoms.
- Spoon the melted cheese sauce over the roast beef. Add more Arby's sauce if desired.
- Top with the remaining bun halves and serve immediately with curly fries for an authentic Arby's experience.
Notes
- Ask the deli counter to thinly slice the roast beef for you.
- For the cheese sauce, you can substitute shredded cheddar or Velveeta for the American cheese slices.
- If you don't want to make the Arby's sauce, use bottled Catalina dressing instead.
- Find frozen Arby's curly fry bags in most grocery stores to complete the meal.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese for the sauce?
Yes, you can substitute shredded cheddar or Velveeta for the American cheese slices in the sauce.
What should I do if the cheese sauce gets too thick?
If the cheese sauce thickens too much, you can thin it out by adding a splash of milk and whisking until it reaches the desired consistency.
Can I use a different type of bread instead of onion buns?
While onion buns are traditional for Arby's sandwiches, you can use any type of hamburger bun or bread you prefer.
Elena
My husband suggested I look up a recipe for these because we had some leftover roast beef from a sub party. Since we both love beef and cheddar sandwiches, I thought it was a great idea too. And it was! We just finished eating them and are already excited to make them again. Absolutely delicious!
Thank you!