Copycat Arby's Roast Beef Is Just One Seasoning Packet Away

America is home to a variety of famed fast food joints, but few offer an appeal quite like Arby's. While burgers and fried chicken dominate the drive-thru landscape, this chain has made a name for itself all upon a roast beef sandwich. The famed dish consists of thin meat slices, optionally flavored with an Arby's sauce, all contained in a sesame bun — a winning formula that can be reproduced at home, too.

For the cornerstone meat, swing by the supermarket or learn how to make roast beef from scratch. Yet no less crucial is the seasoning — the DIY version needs to mimic Arby's sandwich flavor, after all. So, for that dash of secret spice, simply grab a packet of Au Jus Gravy mix. Technically, such a flavoring isn't listed on Arby's ingredient list; the brand outlines its sandwich as solely meat and bread. Yet Arby's roast beef is made using meat that arrives at fast food outlets already in a marinating liquid – precisely the flavors and moisture that gravy serves to mimic.

Thankfully, you won't need to go through the trouble of marinating your roast beef. Instead, simply dissolve the gravy mix with water or beef broth, then bring to a low simmer. Right before serving,  quickly submerge slices of roast beef in the gravy. Just like that, you'll craft the moist, gently flavored, cooked-through beef that brought Arby's into the spotlight.

While foundational, gravy-dipped beef isn't the only unique element to an Arby's roast beef sandwich. To assemble the copycat with full authenticity, you'll want to note the details of the bread and sauce, too. Thankfully, the doughy vessel is easy: Arby's employs a toasted, sesame-covered burger bun. Just like with the roast beef, you can grab a pack of these at the store or rely on a homemade burger bun recipe.

Eat an Arby's roast beef sandwich as it comes, and no condiment is added to the build. Yet a touch of the chain's signature sauces is basically essential to the experience. For the most accurate rendition, simply buy a bottle of Arby's Original Sauce or Arby's Horsey Sauce online — the brand also distributes its condiments in retailers like Walmart. Alternatively, those dedicated to a fully scratch-made rendition can craft a copy of the chain's Original sauce by making a thinner barbecue sauce, seasoned with hot sauce, sugar, as well as onion and garlic powder. Meanwhile, a tasty Arby's Horsey Sauce dupe comes together using the right balance of mayo, horseradish, sugar, and salt. Don't forget to toast the bread, and enjoy one (or several!) Arby's roast beef sandwiches in the comfort of home.