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Demystifying Arby’s Roast Beef: The Truth About What Their Signature Sandwich is Made From

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Most likely, Arby’s is one of the first places that comes to mind when you want a juicy, meaty sandwich. It has a long list of foods, but the roast beef sandwich is what this fast food place is known for.

Though, you might notice that an Arby’s signature sandwich doesn’t taste like the roast beef you buy at the store when you bite into it. Thats because the meat between those buns is not traditionally-made roast beef. Delish says that the real thing is made by seasoning a big piece of beef, roasting it until it’s soft, and then cutting it into thin, tender slices.

Arbys does things a little differently. An Arby’s worker said in a 2021 Reddit thread about the worst fast food items to never order that the chain’s sandwiches are made with “a compressed block of beef scraps.” They also said that the scraps are heated up in a bag of beef broth until they are ready to be served.

Arbys Quality Assurance Manager Jim Lowder told Snopes in 2005 that the roast beef is made of “beef and a self-basting solution, which contains just enough water to keep the product juicy during our restaurants’ 3-hour roasting process and during slicing.” It’s always good to know where your food comes from, even if that makes you feel gross.

Arby’s roast beef sandwiches are an iconic fast food option that have been satisfying hungry customers since 1964. With its thin slices of tasty roast beef piled high on a sesame seed bun, the Arby’s roast beef sandwich has earned its place in the pantheon of classic American fast food.

But for years there have been rumors myths and urban legends questioning exactly what goes into Arby’s famous roast beef. Is it real beef or something more dubious? Let’s peel back the curtain and reveal what Arby’s roast beef is really made out of.

The Persistent Myth: Is it Real Meat?

One of the most enduring urban legends about Arby’s roast beef is that it’s not actually made from real beef at all. Rumors have swirled for decades that the meat is a manufactured concoction of liquids, gels or meat-flavored paste extruded into slices.

This myth has been circulating since at least 1997. It likely started because the frozen raw roast beef shipped to Arby’s locations does look a bit strange – grayish in color and mushy in texture before it’s cooked.

Adding fuel to the fire is Arby’s own reticence to reveal their production process. However multiple sources from within Arby’s, including employees who work directly with the meat have confirmed that Arby’s roast beef starts out as real beef before becoming sandwich filler.

The Reality: Yes, It’s 100% Real Beef

While the exact blend of cuts that go into Arby’s roast beef is proprietary, they have verified it is 100% real beef, with no artificial fillers, gels or pastes. The confusion stems from Arby’s unique cooking process, not the meat itself.

Arby’s has also clearly stated that all their roast beef is made from only beef and basic meat preservatives like water, salt, sodium phosphates, and sodium erythorbate. The latter two help retain moisture and color. There are no mystery ingredients or beef substitutes used.

So while the pre-cooked appearance is strange, once roasted Arby’s signature product is most definitely real roast beef. Customers can enjoy their sandwiches knowing it’s quality meat and not a meat-like food science experiment.

Why the Strange Look Pre-Cooking?

While it’s established that Arby’s roast beef starts as authentic beef, some clarity on its atypical look and feel pre-cooking will help explain the rumors.

Arby’s roasts their beef using a unique process that contributes to the gray, mushy appearance:

  • Meat is vacuum-sealed in an airtight bag
  • Bag contains beef suspended in broth for extra moisture and flavor
  • Entire bag is cooked for 4+ hours to roast the meat
  • Result is tender, sliced beef saturated in natural juices

So that pale, mushy raw meat is actually beef bathing in its own juices and broth before getting sliced up and served. The process essentially braises the meat inside the bag as it cooks low and slow.

Once roasted, sliced and put on a sandwich, any dubiousness gives way to authentic, delicious roast beef flavor.

Why Roast Beef Instead of Burgers?

When Arby’s started in 1964, hamburgers dominated the fast food landscape. So why did they build their brand around roast beef instead of burgers?

There were a few savvy reasons behind founder Leroy Raffel’s roast beef decision:

  • Differentiated Arby’s from burger-centric competition
  • Roast beef perceived as more upscale and novel
  • Higher price point than burgers signaled quality
  • Elevated fast food experience beyond burgers

In other words, serving roast beef instead of hamburgers allowed Arby’s to stand out from McDonald’s and other burger joints of the time. It reinforced that Arby’s offered a premium product at a higher cost.

The gamble clearly paid off, as Arby’s celebrates over 50 years as a beloved roast beef purveyor. Their commitment to roast beef consistency over the decades has paid dividends.

Why is Arby’s Beef Unique?

While confirmed to be real beef, Arby’s roast beef does have a distinct look, texture and flavor. What makes it different than what you might roast at home?

Arby’s credits their proprietary slow-cooking method for the roast beef’s uniqueness. The key characteristics stem from braising it gently in a broth-filled bag:

  • Tender, fall-apart texture from long cooking time
  • Imbued with extra moisture and beefy flavor
  • Faintly pink with a soft consistency
  • Distinct salty seasoning permeates the meat
  • Hints of smoke from high heat searing

The total time in the hot broth gives it an almost pot roast-like tender texture you don’t find in other fast food roast beef. It also allows the seasoning to really soak into the meat.

The bottom line is Arby’s has perfected a unique take on roast beef over 50+ years. While odd pre-cooking, the final product is delicious and 100% beef.

Quality Control: Is Every Sandwich Consistent?

With thousands of Arby’s locations nationwide, how does the chain ensure roast beef quality and consistency across their vast network?

They start with centralized, commercial-scale manufacturing and distribution from designated meat processing facilities. This controls sourcing, cuts used, seasoning, cooking time and bulk shipping.

But much still comes down to properly training Arby’s employees at each restaurant. They must adhere to strict procedures for:

  • Safely handling raw roast beef
  • Recording fridge and freezer temperatures
  • Following cooking instructions precisely
  • Using cleaning regimens that eliminate cross-contamination
  • Slicing to order for each sandwich to prevent waste

Arby’s relies on proper employee training and oversight from franchise and corporate management to serve up safe, high-quality roast beef every time.

Trying New Things Beyond Roast Beef

While Arby’s built their brand on roast beef, in recent years they’ve tried to highlight menu items beyond their signature sandwiches. This is especially true as public health concerns push society away from red meat.

Attempts to showcase poultry, fish and vegetarian options have met with mixed success. Their core customer base still gravitates toward roast beef. But efforts like their “We Have the Meats” campaign aim to at least get the message out that there’s more than just beef on Arby’s menu.

Time will tell if these efforts boost lagging sales by bringing in new diners. But Arby’s allure for carnivorous customers will likely always center around their masterful roast beef.

Arby’s Roast Beef: An American Fast Food Icon

While the process may seem odd pre-cooking, Arby’s roast beef is undoubtedly the real deal. Its unique flavor and texture are a testament to over 50 years perfecting roast beef sandwiches.

For those who crave roast beef stacked high on a sesame seed bun, look no further than Arby’s. Their dedication to quality and consistency has made Arby’s roast beef a quintessential American fast food tradition.

what is arbys roast beef really made out of

Arby’s roast beef is ultra-processed

Some people may turn to Arbys thinking it is a healthier option than a hamburger joint. But the roast beef is ultra-processed, linking it to a higher risk of dying earlier from a variety of health concerns (via Nutrition Journal).

Although Arbys does offer some healthier choices like salads, the options are few and far between. When talking to Very Well Fit, Willow Jarosh, MS, R.D., said that most options there “dont fulfill a full veggie portion and are very high in sodium — some with more than a days recommended sodium.”

The traditional roast beef sandwich has 970 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the amount adults should eat every day. The half-pound roast beef sandwich has an amazing 2,040 milligrams of sodium, and some other menu items have even more. You can enjoy Arby’s once in a while, but make sure you don’t go too often and make sure you get enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.

The Truth About Arby’s Roast Beef

FAQ

Is Arby’s roast beef real beef?

No, it’s not liquid meat Nothing about it sounds good, and it’s a weirdly enduring story. They did some digging, and went straight to the source: Arby’s Quality Assurance. They confirmed there’s absolutely no truth the story, and said that their roast beef is, in fact, completely beef.

How unhealthy is Arby’s roast beef?

The classic roast beef sandwich contains 360 calories, 14g fat, 5g saturated fat, 0.5g trans fat, 970mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate, 5g sugar, and 23g protein. This sandwich gives you all the classic flavors of a roast beef sandwich without the sauces and up-sizing of other options.

What are the ingredients in Arby’s roast beef?

Roast Beef: Beef, Water, Salt, Sodium Phosphates. Roast Ham: Ham Cured With: Water, Salt, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Smoke Flavoring, Sodium Nitrite. Roast Turkey: Turkey Breast, Turkey Broth, Contains 2% or less of the following: Salt, Brown Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphate.

What part of the cow does Arby’s roast beef come from?

The “Arby’s we grew up on” was a Steamship Round. That is the entire “round primal” shown in diagram. However, several years ago they went to a processed version in order to make production more uniform, I believe it is likely still ‘mostly’ round that has been pressed and shaped.

What is Arby’s roast beef made of?

There’s a claim that Arby’s roast beef is actually imitation meat, made from gels, liquids, or pastes, formed into a vaguely meat-shaped lump then roasted, cooled, and turned into sandwich filler. Arby’s Quality Assurance was approached for clarification on this matter.

Does Arby’s roast beef have additives?

Yes, Arby’s roast beef is made from whole cuts of beef, which are carefully selected and slow-roasted to perfection. **Does Arby’s roast beef contain any additives or fillers?** Arby’s roast beef is free from any additives or fillers. It is made from pure, high-quality beef, without any artificial or processed ingredients.

What kind of beef does Arby’s use?

Arby’s roast beef is made from 100% USDA-inspected beef that is slow-roasted in its own juices, giving it a unique flavor and tenderness that sets it apart from other fast food chains.

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