This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
This Arby’s Ham and Cheddar Melt with Arby’s Sauce copycat recipe is one you are going to love! A quick and easy dinner recipe for the whole family.
Featured with this recipe
These Arby’s Ham and Cheddar Melts are one of my kids favorite lunches. They prefer them over any fast-food burger, chicken nuggets, or anything else. The bad news for my kids is that we really don’t eat out that often. The good news for them is that we make this super easy sandwich recipe with the Arby’s Sauce Copycat at home. They love the melts just as much as when we go to Arby’s. Now everyone is happy, and I know exactly what to make for lunch!
Ingredients
Sandwich:
- Thinly sliced deli ham
- Onion buns
Cheddar cheese sauce:
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Hand-shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper
Arby’s sauce:
- Ketchup
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Water
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion Powder
- Frank’s Red Hot Sauce – this is optional
Arby’s Sauce Copycat Recipe
A sandwich recipe for an Arby’s melt wouldn’t be complete without the Arby’s sauce (which is one thing that I personally love). On the rare occasions we do go to Arby’s, I always ask for an extra few packets, and whatever we don’t use that day, we just keep in our fridge for when we make these at home. However, a couple weeks ago, I was browsing and found a recipe for Arby’s Sauce! I was so excited to try it, unfortunately it wasn’t quite right. After making a few adjustments I had it, just like the original! No more storing away little packets of Arby’s Sauce. Now I can make it at home, and so can you!
How To Make Arby’s Beef and Cheddar Melt
If you want to make an Arby’s Beef and Cheddar melt, simply switch out the ham for some thinly sliced roast beef. Super easy sandwich recipe substitution. You can go as fancy or as cheap as you want on these– it all depends on the quality of deli-meat that you buy. Obviously the more you are willing to spend on quality deli meat, the better the sandwich will be. Now, go get yourself some curly-fries and enjoy your Arby’s copycat sandwiches and Arby’s sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions
Close, but no. Arby’s sauce is much thinner and also packs much more of a vinegar and pepper-y punch with some different spices.
Yes! You can buy Arby’s sauce in a bottle at some stores, however, if you can’t find it, or you want to try your hand at making your own, give our recipe a shot!
More or less, it’s ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and a splash of hot sauce (depending on the level of heat and flavor you want).
Other Great Copycat Recipes
If you’re looking to make more great restaurant food in the comfort and control of your home, check out these great copycat recipes:
How to make Arby’s Ham and Cheddar Melt
Arby’s Ham and Cheddar Melt (Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 pound deli ham thinly sliced (I like black forest ham– but any kind will work)
- 1 cup Arby’s Sauce to taste (see below)
- 8 onion buns
For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 3/4 cup milk or more if needed
- 1-2 cups cheddar cheese shredded by hand, not pre-packaged
- salt & pepper to taste
For the Arby's Sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Frank's Red Hot Sauce to taste (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, cook deli ham until heated through (spray the pan with cooking spray to reduce sticking).
- Spread Arby’s sauce on one side of each bun and place ham on the bun.
- Spoon on cheddar cheese sauce (see below) and serve.
For the Cheese Sauce:
- Melt butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour (whisking constantly) and cook for about 1 minute forming a roux.
- SLOWLY whisk in milk until reaching desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese.
- Add salt and pepper, to taste
For the Arby's Sauce:
- In a small sauce pan combine all the Arby's sauce ingredients.
- Simmer over medium heat for a couple of mintues.
Notes
- Add red onion for a fresh kick
- Place on some lettuce leaves for crunch and freshness
- Jalapeños (pickled or fresh) for spice
- Slices of ripe tomatoes can make this slider very interesting
- Fried onion rings will add crunch and flavor
Nice job Erica! Having spent considerable time recreating the Arby’s Roast Beef sandwich and the Ham and Cheddar sandwich at home, the absolute key to your recipe is “thin sliced” ham or beef. In deli terms, thin sliced means ~1/16”.
Thin slices, as your picture illustrates, allows you to pile high the ham or beef and have a tender mouthful of sandwich. Any more than 1/8” and you’re asking for a chewy sandwich.
Again, great job Erica, recommending thin sliced makes this a success. Oh, very cool on the sauce recipe. It’s delicious!!!
I don’t eat out much lately, so an easy and tasty recipe like this one is a perfect alternative. Tysm!
So yummy! Glad I can have this any time at home when I’m craving an arby’s sandwich. Thanks for this easy to make recipe!
Why can’t you use the pre-shredded cheese, why hand shredded?
The hand shredded melts much better
Made these for the family tonight! As a family of six, getting out to Arby’s doesn’t happen very often. They were ecstatic! I used roast beef. Also, after reading many comments about the sauce being “red ranch” aka french or Catalina dressing, I opted to try Organicville’s French dressing, as the ingredients looked promising. It was dead.on. I couldn’t be happier! Thanks for the recipe!
SO happy you liked it! Great idea using Catalina– will definitely have to try that next time! Thank you!
You do want to use Catalina dressing.. years and years ago, I asked what the red sauce was and that’s what they told me, they get it in in huge tubs. Nowadays, they call it ‘zesty red ranch’, but trust me, its Catalina. 🙂
haha very good to know! I had no idea!
1/2 cup Ketchup
2 tablespoons water
1/4 TSp Garlic powder
1/4 Tsp Onion powder
Mix it all together. I was skeptical, ut tried it and its the EXACT taste of the red sauce thats on their beef n cheddars.
Yum! We will have to give this a try next time we make these sandwiches 😀 Thank you for sharing!
YUM!!! I cannot wait to try it with ham!!!