The first time I tried Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce, I was surprised by how different it was from traditional ranch dressing. This isn’t your typical creamy white sauce, but rather a bold, sweet-and-tangy condiment that bridges the gap between French dressing and barbecue sauce. After countless attempts to recreate that distinctive flavor at home, I’ve perfected this copycat recipe that captures every nuance of Arby’s beloved sauce. This sauce is not used on their roast beef sandwich, but is used on their beef n cheddar sandwiches.
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What makes Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce so special?
People love its zesty flavor, but many question how different Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce is from the original one the chain has been serving for decades. Well, when it comes to an Arby’s Red Ranch vs Arby’s Sauce match-up, there are significant differences.
The Red Ranch Sauce leans closer to a French or Catalina-style dressing, with its consistency and sweet, tangy flavor, while the original sauce at Arby’s is more of a traditional BBQ variety. Although not a typical ranch sauce, the bold taste of Red Ranch Sauce makes it a great choice when you want something that can stand up to big flavors.
Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce ingredients and what they add to this sauce
For this copycat recipe for the Red Ranch Sauce from Arby’s, you’ll need:
- Ketchup – serves as the base of the sauce, providing some of the sweetness and a mild tang.
- Apple cider vinegar brightens the sauce with its acidity, helping to balance out the sweetness from the ketchup and sugar.
- Worcestershire sauce – adds a good dash of umami flavor and a hint of smokiness.
- Water thins out the sauce to prevent it from becoming too thick during simmering, allowing the sugar to dissolve.
- Sugar – sweetens the sauce to help balance the acidity of the vinegar.
- Garlic powder – gives the sauce a faint aromatic warmth.
- Onion powder provides a slight sweetness and depth of flavor that complements the ketchup well.
- Smoked paprika – offers a mild smokiness and intensifies the sauce’s color.
- Ground black pepper – imparts a mild warmth.
How to prepare Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce
To make this sauce:
- Add all the sauce ingredients to a small saucepan and place it over low heat.
- Whisk the sauce until the sugar completely dissolves. It can take up to five minutes, so be patient.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature. It will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Transfer the room-temperature sauce to an airtight container and chill for at least an hour before using.
How to use homemade red ranch sauce?
How can you use this as a dipping sauce for curly fries, but we also love to use this red ranch sauce recipe on burgers. Below are three dishes that will benefit from a smear or dip of this tasty concoction.
Arby’s Beef and Cheddar – This classic sandwich from Arby’s combines thinly sliced warm roast beef with a rich and creamy cheese sauce, served on a soft onion roll. But what takes this dish to the next level of yum is the Red Ranch Sauce with its bold flavors and sweet tang.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork – Are you someone who loves the taste and versatility of pulled pork but doesn’t have the time to make it the traditional way? This Instant Pot method cuts hours of cooking time and still yields tender, fall-apart pork. Stir the Red Ranch Sauce into the pulled pork, and you have the base of an amazing Pulled Pork Sandwich.
Crispy Ritz Crackers Chicken Tenders – Skip the frozen tenders and make your own with this easy recipe. What sets these chicken tenders apart from the rest is the use of crushed Ritz Crackers as the breading. This small switch adds an extra buttery taste to these tenders, which pairs wonderfully with Red Ranch Sauce.
Storage & shelf life for homemade Arby’s red ranch sauce
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in airtight containers for up to 10 days. Always use clean utensils to prevent cross-contamination.
- Portioning method: Pour needed amounts rather than dipping utensils directly into the container to maintain freshness.
- Temperature stability: Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and consistency.
More copycat recipes for Arby’s sauces
Favorite fast food sauces
Check out more of my easy sauce recipes and the best fast food copycat recipes right here on CopyKat!
Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk continuously for about 2 to 5 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve and the flavors to blend. Remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes.
- Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
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