SaveThis Arby’s sauce recipe recreates, at home, the thin, tangy, slightly sweet red sauce people squeeze onto roast beef sandwiches. Ketchup, water and cider vinegar simmer with brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and a few drops of hot sauce for about 20 minutes, until the flavors come together and the sauce thickens a little. It’s inspired by the restaurant’s sauce, not its official recipe. Below you’ll find what each ingredient does, how it differs from barbecue sauce, and how to adjust the sweetness and heat.
What Is Arby’s Sauce?
Arby’s sauce is the chain’s signature red sauce for roast beef sandwiches. Copycat versions share a simple formula: a ketchup base thinned with water, sharpened with vinegar, sweetened with a little brown sugar, and seasoned with onion, garlic and a touch of hot sauce. The result is tangier, thinner and less smoky than a typical barbecue sauce, so it soaks into a sandwich instead of sitting on top.
Arby’s sauce vs. honey BBQ sauce
| Arby’s sauce (copycat) | Honey BBQ sauce | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Ketchup thinned with water | Ketchup with honey |
| Flavor | Tangy, lightly sweet, peppery | Sweet, smoky, sticky |
| Smoke | None | Smoked paprika |
| Texture | Thin, pourable | Thick, glaze-like |
| Best with | Roast beef sandwiches, fries | Ribs, wings, grilled chicken |
For a thick, sweet, smoky sauce for grilling, make our honey BBQ sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ketchup (1/2 cup): the tomato base, with sweetness and body.
- Water (1/4 cup): thins the sauce to its signature pourable texture.
- Apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon): the tang. White vinegar gives a sharper bite.
- Brown sugar (2 tablespoons): rounds out the vinegar. Use less for a tangier sauce.
- Onion powder and garlic powder (1/4 teaspoon each): savory depth that dissolves smoothly.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): seasoning; ketchup is already salty, so taste first.
- Hot sauce (4 to 5 drops): a little background heat, not real spiciness.
How to Make Arby’s Sauce
- Combine. In a small saucepan, whisk the ketchup, water, vinegar, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and hot sauce until smooth.
- Simmer. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then turn the heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens slightly and the vinegar smell mellows.
- Cool. Take the pan off the heat and let it cool. The sauce thickens a little more as it cools.
- Adjust. Stir in a splash of water if you want it thinner, then taste and adjust.
Adjusting Sweetness, Tang and Heat
| You want | Change |
|---|---|
| Tangier | Use 1 tablespoon brown sugar, or add 1 teaspoon more vinegar |
| Sweeter | Add 1 more teaspoon brown sugar |
| Spicier | Add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne |
| More savory | Add 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce |
| Thinner | Stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time |
Roast Beef Sandwiches and Other Uses
Drizzle it over thin-sliced roast beef on a soft bun, or pair it with a creamy horseradish spread for the classic “red and white” combination; our creamy horseradish sauce works well. It’s also good with fries, onion rings, chicken tenders and meatloaf sandwiches. Let the sauce cool before refrigerating it, and put leftovers in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking, keeping your refrigerator at 40°F or below, as the CDC advises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arby’s sauce made of?
Copycat versions combine ketchup, water, vinegar, a little sugar, onion and garlic powder, salt and hot sauce. This is a homemade version inspired by the restaurant’s sauce, not its official recipe.
Is Arby’s sauce the same as barbecue sauce?
No. It’s thinner, tangier and less smoky than most barbecue sauces.
Do I have to cook it?
Simmering blends the vinegar and spices and thickens the sauce slightly. You can stir the ingredients together cold for a quick version, but it will taste sharper.
What’s the difference between Arby’s sauce and Horsey sauce?
Arby’s sauce is a red, ketchup-based sauce. Horsey sauce is a creamy horseradish sauce. Many people use both on the same sandwich.
How should I store Arby’s sauce?
Cool it, then refrigerate it in a covered container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep your fridge at 40°F or below.
