These Crockpot Shredded Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches are easy to make and better than take out! This recipe was inspired by the flavors of a Beef and Cheddar sandwich from Arby’s. The sandwiches are made on toasted onion buns with shredded beef, cheddar cheese, and topped with Arby’s sauce and Horsey Sauce.

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Easy Copycat Arby’s Shredded Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches

If you love the flavors of an Arby’s Beef and Cheddar, you will love my Crockpot Shredded Beef and Cheddar Sandwich recipe!

These shredded beef sandwiches are piled high with tender beef, cheddar cheese, Arby’s sauce, Horsey sauce, and served on onion buns. Serve with curly fries!

My family loves these because they are delicious, honestly better than getting take out, and they aren’t hard to prep. The meat also reheats really well for leftovers.

If you are looking for other Crockpot Shredded beef recipes, check out my Crockpot Shredded Beef Sandwiches, Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches, and Street Corn Shredded Beef Tacos.

Ingredients

Chuck roast
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, Ranch seasoning, Montreal Steak seasoning
Olive oil
Beef broth
Minced garlic
Onion
Arby’s sauce
Horsey sauce
Onion Buns
Cheddar cheese

Make Crockpot Shredded Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches

To start making this recipe, season a chuck roast on all sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to a large skillet and heat to medium high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned.

Once the roast is browned on all sides, add the roast to a large crockpot with 2 cups of beef broth.

Next, season with 1 tbsp each of ranch seasoning, steak seasoning, and minced garlic. I used Montreal Steak Seasoning, but any steak seasoning will work.

Last, add some Arby’s sauce on top. I didn’t use exact measurements for the sauce, just add enough to cover the roast. Top with the sliced onions.

Roast with Arby's sauce and sliced onions in crockpot

Cover with the lid and cook on low for 8 hours.

Once the roast is cooked and tender, remove the roast from the crockpot, shred the meat with two forks, and discard any extra fat.

Add a little bit more Arby’s sauce to the meat and stir well.

Toast the onion buns in a skillet over medium heat if desired. This step will help the sandwich hold up to all of the delicious toppings.

To build the sandwiches, lay out the buns on a sheet pan.

Add a scoop of the meat to the bottom bun, add some of the sliced onions from the crockpot, and top with Arby’s sauce and cheddar cheese.

Place the sandwiches in the oven under broil to melt the cheese and toast the buns. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!

Once the buns are starting to get toasty and the cheese is melted top them with a little drizzle of Horsey sauce.

Serve Shredded Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches

Once the Crockpot Shredded Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches are built it’s time to eat!

I usually serve these with curly fries! The recipe is also good with a salad on the side.

Crockpot Shredded Beef and Cheddar sandwich plated with curly fries and ketchup

Store any leftovers of the meat in an air tight container in the refrigerator. The leftovers reheat well! The shredded beef also freezes well if you want to store extras in a freezer bag in the freezer.

You will love this recipe, because it’s SO good, easy to make, and they are better than fast food!

Tips and Substitutions

I used about 3 pounds of Chuck Roast for this recipe.
I’ve found that cheddar cheese slices works best on this recipe because as the cheese melts it helps hold the whole sandwich together.
You could use the canned nacho cheese if you prefer, I just think they are a little more messy.
I really prefer to sear the roast before adding it to the crockpot. Searing helps lock in the juices and helps make the meat tender. If you have the time, don’t skip this step.
I seasoned the roast with Montreal Steak seasoning, but you can use any steak seasoning you have in your pantry.
The onion buns give this recipe the ultimate Arby’s vibes (in the best way), but you could use normal hamburger buns.
This recipe makes at least 8 sandwiches depending on how full you fill them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of beef is best for shredded beef sandwiches?

My personal favorite is a chuck roast! Chuck roast has high fat marbling which turns fork tender and juicy when cooked low and slow. If you need to use a different cut you can use rump roast or round roast. These may turn out less juicy/flavorful, though.

Can I cook this recipe on high?

I don’t actually recommend cooking chuck roast on high. It turns out much more tender when cooked on low all day (at least 8 hours). If you choose to cook on high, it would need 5-6 hours and might turn out drier and less tender.

Do I have to sear the roast first?

I prefer to always sear the roast first. It helps the meat be more flavorful and get a nice browned crust. If you honestly don’t have time, you can skip it.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can use any cheese you’d like! When testing this recipe, I found that the cheddar cheese slices melt to the meat and help hold the sandwich together. If you prefer to use nacho cheese you can, it just might be a little bit more messy. I’d recommend Ricos Premium Cheddar Cheese if picking nacho cheese.

Can I make the shredded beef ahead of time?

Yes, the shredded beef can be made ahead of time. The beef reheats really well. I would not recommend building the sandwiches ahead of time though. They will get soggy and are best made right before serving.

Can I freeze the shredded beef?

Yes, this shredded beef recipe freezes really well. I usually keep extras in a freezer bag in the freezer. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before heating.

What should I serve with Crockpot Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches?

I like serving these sandwiches with curly fries and a salad! These would also be good with tater tots, chips, or any vegetable your family likes.

More Family Dinner Recipes

If you make this easy Crockpot Shredded Beef and Cheddar Sandwich recipe, I hope it’s a huge hit with your family! If you enjoy it please leave me a review or save this recipe to your Pinterest account!