Roast beef that is cooked just right is always a special meal—Nigella Lawson, the “domestic goddess,” calls it “a proper, stand-up-and-clap feast” because it is so tasty, tender, and full of flavor. If you like your meat medium-rare or well-done, it’s hard not to cut into another slice, whether it’s the star of a holiday meal or a cozy family dinner.
From tenderloin, prime rib, and strip loin, which are more expensive, to slow-cooked pot roasts, there’s no doubt that roast beef takes time and work. Its the kind of dish that makes every guest appreciate the chefs hard work. Quite often a large cut of meat also means there are leftovers. And while cold roast beef certainly has its place, nothing beats it hot. But it can also be a little daunting if youre not confident about reheating it properly.
If you don’t put your roast beef back in the oven the right way, it can dry out and lose its juicy, tender texture. Really, you should just heat it up again without cooking it any more. You don’t want to make your perfectly roasted meat dry and tough. So what should you do to make it taste just as good the second time? You can use a microwave, a skillet, the oven, or a Crockpot. But which one works best?
Arby’s is known for their tender, juicy roast beef sandwiches piled high with warm, thin-sliced meat. But like any leftover, the sandwiches can lose their appeal after a day or two in the fridge. The potato bun gets stale, the cheese congeals, and the roast beef dries out.
However, with the right reheating method, you can revive those leftovers to be nearly as delicious as they were fresh from the restaurant. The key is using your oven to gently warm the sandwich components without overcooking the meat or turning the bread into cardboard.
Follow this simple guide to reheating Arby’s roast beef sandwiches in the oven so you can keep enjoying your favorite menu items.
Benefits of Oven Reheating
Reheating Arby’s sandwiches in the oven has a few advantages over the microwave
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The oven surrounds the food with gentle, ambient heat that warms evenly. The microwave can create hot and cold spots.
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It keeps the interior moist without making the bread soggy
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Oven heat crisps up the exterior of the bun.
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Lower temperatures prevent the sensitive roast beef from toughening up.
Step-by-Step Oven Reheating
Preparing your Arby’s sandwich for the oven is simple:
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Preheat oven to 300°F to ensure even, gentle heating.
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Unwrap sandwich fully and place roast beef side up on baking sheet.
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Cover with foil. Crimp tightly around edges to seal in steam.
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Heat for 10 minutes. Use 12-15 minutes if sandwich is cold from fridge.
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Uncover and brown bun by switching oven to broil for 1-2 minutes if desired. Watch closely to avoid burning.
The relatively low oven temperature brings the sandwich up to temp without overcooking it. The foil cover traps in moisture. Quick broiling adds back crunch to the toasted bun exterior.
Reheating Tips for Best Results
To get the best results when reheating Arby’s sandwiches, keep these tips in mind:
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Allow refrigerated sandwiches to sit at room temperature 10-15 minutes before heating to prevent a cold center.
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Use heavy duty foil and seal tightly to lock in steam and prevent drying.
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Flip sandwich over halfway through heating to warm roast beef side evenly.
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Check temperature before eating and reheat 1-2 minutes more if needed. Beef should reach 165°F.
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Add a tablespoon of water or Au Jus sauce to the foil packet if beef seems dry.
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Don’t reheat more than once to maintain quality.
With the oven method, your Arby’s sandwich will taste freshly made once again!
Maintaining Safety
When reheating any leftovers, food safety is also essential. Follow these guidelines:
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Discard sandwiches left at room temperature over 2 hours.
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Store tightly wrapped sandwiches for just 3-4 days maximum in the fridge.
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Only reheat sandwiches once to prevent bacteria growth.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the roast beef. It must reach 165°F.
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Don’t let reheated sandwiches sit out over 1 hour before eating.
Proper storage and reheating prevents foodborne illness.
Oven Roasting vs Microwaving
While the microwave may seem like the quicker option, the oven is superior for evenly reheating Arby’s sandwiches without turning the bun to rubber or meat to leather:
Oven Reheating
- Heats gradually for tender beef
- Crisps bun exterior
- Prevents moisture loss
- Allows resting time
Microwaving
- Cooks unevenly
- Makes bun soggy
- Leads to dry roast beef
- No resting time
Take the extra few minutes to use the oven for far superior results.
Enjoying Leftover Roast Beef Beyond Sandwiches
Don’t limit your leftover Arby’s roast beef to just sandwiches. You can give it new life in many creative ways:
- Pile onto nachos and melt cheese over top
- Chop and add to mac and cheese or baked potatoes
- Fold into omelets or scrambled egg breakfast tacos
- Use as pizza topping with cheese and ranch sauce
- Toss with pasta and veggies for dinner salad
- Layer into casseroles and covered dishes
Transform leftovers into completely new meals!
Reheating Arby’s French Dip Sandwiches
Arby’s French dip sandwiches separate the roast beef and Au Jus for reheating.
To reheat a French Dip:
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Wrap roast beef tightly in foil and heat at 300°F for 8-10 minutes.
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Pour Au Jus sauce into small saucepan and gently warm over medium-low heat until hot.
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Assemble heated beef on bun and serve Au Jus on the side for dipping.
This method keeps the bread from getting soggy from the sauce. Heat just until hot to preserve flavor.
Enjoying Cold Sandwiches
If you don’t want to bother reheating, Arby’s roast beef sandwiches can also be enjoyed cold:
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Allow refrigerated sandwiches to come to room temperature about 15 minutes for best flavor and texture.
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If bun is slightly soggy, crisping in the toaster oven for 1-2 minutes can refresh it.
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Add extra Horsey sauce, Arby’s sauce or shredded lettuce for extra moisture and crunch.
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Slice or tear sandwich into portions for easier eating.
Enjoy the flavors of cold sliced roast beef on occasion for a change of pace.
The Joy of Leftovers
Being able to revive leftover Arby’s sandwiches to their former glory is a delicious perk. With proper storage and reheating, you can enjoy roast beef for days without waste.
Use this guide to reheating in the oven for hot sandwiches bursting with juicy meat and crispy toasted buns just like new. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you!
Should you slice roast beef before reheating?
If your meat is already cooked all the way through, a skillet or microwave can be one of the easiest ways to warm it up without any special tools. Before putting the leftover roast beef in the fridge, it’s a good idea to cut it up into slices that you can heat up as needed. The meat will stay warm if you heat each slide for a few minutes on each side in a medium-hot skillet. If you want to use the microwave, reheat the sliced meat with its juices for 30 seconds at a time so you can keep an eye on it.
Another choice is to cook roast beef slices in a water bath, which is also called sous-vide in French. Before putting the meat in the water bath, you’ll need to seal it in a vacuum-sealed bag. This method keeps the meat from cooking too much, but it needs special tools.
And what if you want to reheat your roast beef whole? How do you stop a big hunk of beef from overcooking while still making sure its nice and hot? Using a Crockpot or slow-cooker is one method for reheating larger pieces of meat, just make sure that theres plenty of liquid added to keep it moist and use the warm setting. But, as the name suggests, its not a quick option — you could be looking at a few hours depending on the size, and its not always the safest or most effective way to reach the USDA recommended internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to reheat a Roast Beef Sandwich/ how to reheat Arby’s
FAQ
What is the best way to reheat Arby’s roast beef?
How do you reheat a roast beef without drying it out?
How long to reheat a roast beef sandwich in the oven?
What temperature is Arby’s roast beef cooked to?
How do you reheat roast beef?
Start by preheating your oven to a temperature of 250°F (120°C). This low heat ensures gentle reheating without drying out or overcooking your precious roast beef. While waiting for the oven to heat up, take out your leftover roast beef from the refrigerator. To protect your roast beef during reheating, wrap it tightly with aluminum foil.
What temperature should roast beef be reheated to?
For medium to well-done roast beef, the oven temperature should reach 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Reheating your roast beef to perfection just takes an oven — though one that’s turned off rather than on. Using a meat probe thermometer helps ensure it’s at the desired temperature before serving.
How do you reheat a pot roast?
To reheat a pot roast, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe level of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This method is especially useful for leftover pot roasts. If you’re short on time, you can use the microwave to reheat smaller pieces of roast beef.
How do you reheat roast beef in an air fryer?
To reheat roast beef in an air fryer, place it in a single layer and cook at medium-high heat for a couple of minutes. Be mindful not to overcook, as the goal is to maintain the meat’s tenderness while giving it a slight crispiness. The passage also mentions the fastest reheating method using a pressure cooker, but that is not the answer to the question.