There may be food left over after your Arby’s meal, either because you bought too much or just don’t feel like eating it anymore.
Considering that Arby’s uses processed food, you may wonder if it’s safe to keep and reheat later.
Arby’s roast beef sandwiches are a quick and tasty meal, but like any leftover food, they have a limited shelf life. Knowing how long an Arby’s roast beef sandwich stays fresh can help you avoid wasting food and prevent potential foodborne illnesses. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the fridge and freezer life of Arby’s roast beef sandwiches.
Why Does a Roast Beef Sandwich Go Bad?
There are a few key factors that can cause an Arby’s roast beef sandwich to spoil
-
Bacteria growth – Deli meats like roast beef can allow bacteria like Listeria or Salmonella to grow if left at unsafe temperatures. These can cause food poisoning
-
** Mold/fungus** – If left in the open air, mold spores can settle on the bread and start multiplying. This gives the sandwich an unpleasant taste and texture.
-
Moisture loss – As the sandwich dries out, it becomes less palatable. The bun gets hard and the meat dries up.
-
Oxidation – Exposure to oxygen causes the lipids in the meat to break down, leading to rancidity.
Proper refrigeration is critical to slowing down these processes and keeping your Arby’s sandwich safe and appetizing.
Refrigerator Storage
Keeping your uneaten Arby’s roast beef sandwich stored in the fridge is the best way to extend its shelf life for a few days. Here are some fridge storage guidelines:
-
An unopened Arby’s roast beef sandwich will last 5-7 days in the fridge. Keep it in its original packaging.
-
A homemade Arby’s-style roast beef sandwich will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Store tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
-
Cooked roast beef deli meat by itself can last about 7-10 days refrigerated. Keep sliced meats sealed in zip top bags.
-
Raw roast beef deli meat should be eaten within 5-7 days. Cooked meats last longer.
The exact fridge life depends on the freshness of the ingredients when the sandwich was assembled and how often the fridge door is opened. Keep your fridge at 40°F or below.
Freezer Storage
For longer term storage, you can freeze an Arby’s roast beef sandwich. Here are some freezer guidelines:
-
An unopened original packaged Arby’s roast beef sandwich can be frozen for 2-3 months.
-
A homemade roast beef sandwich will last 1-2 months in the freezer. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
-
Raw or cooked roast beef deli meat can last 4-6 months in the freezer. Portion into airtight bags.
-
The bread will suffer some texture loss after freezing. It’s best to freeze just the meat.
To freeze, wrap your sandwich tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. This prevents freezer burn. Defrost in the fridge before eating.
Maintaining Freshness
Follow these tips to maximize the shelf life of your Arby’s roast beef sandwich:
-
Refrigerate promptly after purchasing – don’t leave it sitting out.
-
Check for gaps in packaging seals before freezing. Re-wrap if needed.
-
When freezing, exclude any lettuce, tomatoes, or veggies – they don’t freeze well. Add fresh after defrosting.
-
Defrost in the refrigerator, not at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
-
Discard if you notice an unpleasant smell, sliminess, or other signs of spoilage after defrosting.
-
Avoid introducing extra moisture when reheating roast beef in the microwave. Use low power.
-
Don’t refreeze thawed roast beef sandwiches or meats. Refreezing diminishes quality.
How To Tell If It’s Gone Bad
Watch for these warning signs that your Arby’s roast beef sandwich has spoiled:
-
Unpleasant sour or ‘off’ odors – Fresh roast beef has a mild beefy smell. Foul odors indicate spoilage bacteria.
-
Slimy texture or sticky surface – Deli meat shouldn’t be slimy. This signals bacterial growth.
-
Discoloration – Fresh sliced roast beef is reddish-pink. Gray, green or black spots indicate mold.
-
Dry, shriveled appearance – Sign of excessive drying out rather than bacteria, but undesirable nonetheless.
-
Weeping liquid or off-gassing – Leaking fluid and gases inside the packaging indicates microbial growth.
When in doubt, remember the old adage – “When in doubt, throw it out!” Don’t take chances with food safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you store roast beef before freezing?
For best quality, freeze roast beef within 1-2 days of purchasing. Cooked roast beef deli meat holds up better than raw when freezing.
Can you freeze an Arby’s sandwich twice?
It’s not recommended to freeze-thaw-freeze an Arby’s sandwich. The texture really suffers. Only refreeze if it has remained frozen continuously.
What’s the best reheating method?
For food safety, reheat fully to 165°F. The oven works best to crisp the bun and prevent sogginess. Microwaving can make bread soggy.
Can you eat Arby’s roast beef cold after fridge storage?
Yes, it’s safe to eat properly refrigerated roast beef cold without reheating. Just be sure it hasn’t exceeded the recommended fridge storage time.
How long can cooked roast beef stay out at room temperature?
Cooked roast beef should be refrigerated within 2 hours. After sitting out more than 2 hours, the bacteria risk makes it unsafe to eat.
Storing Other Types of Arby’s Sandwiches
Here are some other Arby’s sandwiches and how best to store them:
Arby’s Chicken Sandwich
- Fridge: 3-5 days
- Freezer: 1-2 months
Arby’s Turkey, Bacon & Swiss Sandwich
- Fridge: 3-5 days
- Freezer: 1-2 months
Arby’s Reuben Sandwich
- Fridge: 3-5 days
- Freezer: Doesn’t freeze well due to sauerkraut
Arby’s Club Sandwiches
- Fridge: 3-5 days
- Freezer: 1-2 months
Arby’s Gyro & Greek Sandwiches
- Fridge: 3-5 days
- Freezer: 1-2 months
Be sure to tightly wrap or seal any homemade sandwiches before fridge or freezer storage. Follow defrosting, reheating, and food safety guidelines.
The Bottom Line
The shelf life of an Arby’s roast beef sandwich comes down to proper storage and handling. Keep it refrigerated or frozen, keep an eye out for spoilage, and don’t take chances with potential foodborne illnesses. An Arby’s roast beef sandwich stored correctly should keep for up to a week in the fridge or 2-3 months in the freezer. Follow these guidelines, and your Arby’s sandwich can remain a tasty leftovers meal!
Can You Microwave Arby’s Wrappers?
You might want to put the whole thing in the microwave if you usually keep your sandwich in its wrapper when you put it in the fridge.
That isn’t a good idea.
The problem with Arby’s wrappers is that they contain grease.
The grease helps keep the food flavorful and moist.
If there’s grease on the wrapper, then it becomes a fire hazard.
Grease and your microwave do not mix.
Because it uses electromagnetic radiation, there’s a chance that the wrapper can catch fire.
Toss the wrapper in the trash and use tin foil to wrap your sandwich in instead.
It also helps to preserve your food better.
Can You Reheat Arby’s In The Oven?
Yes, you can reheat Arby’s in the oven.
This method is the best for reheating Arby’s because it makes it taste the freshest.
Like reheating in the microwave, you’ll need to spread each part of the sandwich out.
Place the deli meat on tin foil, then place the tin foil on a baking sheet.
Butter or grease the buns, then place them on the tin foil, too.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then place the food in the oven.
It won’t take long for the Arby’s to reheat.
As long as the Arby’s meal wasn’t frozen, it should only take five to ten minutes to cook.
Frozen Arby’s will need to thaw before it starts reheating.
It can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to reheat a frozen Arby’s meal.
You can put your sandwich back together and eat it once the buns are brown and the meat is hot all the way through.
The oven is an ideal way to reheat your Arby’s because it prevents sogginess.