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Ranking Arby’s Sauces from Worst to Best

Arby’s has long made a name for itself as a unique take on the fast-food restaurant menu. With their signature roast beef, turkey, and chicken sandwiches, there’s no denying that Arby’s definitely “has the meats.”

To complement their popular menu options, Arby’s has 16 different sauces, including four dipping sauces. Twelve of Arby’s sauces are included as toppings or sides to their menu items, while the four dipping sauces are paired with chicken nuggets and chicken tenders.

We’re ranking all 16 Arby’s sauces from worst to best, so read on to see where your favorite sauce ranks and what menu items have which sauce.

16. Marinara Sauce

Arby’s Marinara Sauce comes as the side sauce with the order of mozzarella sticks.

Whether you order 4-piece or 6-piece mozzarella sticks, they will be served with this simple, basic, tomato-based sauce.

The Marinara Sauce at Arby’s is a blend of tomato puree and spices, like garlic, salt, and onion. A serving size is considered 28 grams, and each serving is 20 calories.

There’s nothing exciting or flavorful about Arby’s Marinara Sauce, but as an accompaniment to their mozzarella sticks, it works.

This sauce is prepackaged, and you can order it on its own if you prefer to do so.

15. Dijon Honey Mustard Sandwich Sauce

Dijon Honey Mustard Sandwich sauce is only found on Arby’s Chicken Bacon and Swiss sandwich. It has your typical honey mustard flavor with a hint of spice.

Arby’s Dijon Honey Mustard Sandwich sauce contains eggs and is not available for ordering on its own.

We’ve ranked it low because it is used sparingly, and while it adds to the flavor of the Chicken Bacon and Swiss Sandwich, this sauce serves a very niche purpose on their menu.

14. Smoky Q Sauce

Another of Arby’s sandwich-only sauces, the Smoky Q sauce, is a BBQ sauce served as a topping on the Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich.

The flavor of this sauce comes from vinegar, tomato, garlic, onion, molasses, and smoke flavoring.

It is sweeter than you might expect, but the Smoky Q Sauce adds the traditional smokehouse feel you would expect when ordering their Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich.

Smoky Q sauce contains no known allergens on its own, but the sandwich does contain egg, milk, soy, and wheat.

13. Brown Honey Mustard Sauce

One of the things we discovered when writing this article was how many Arby’s Sauces are made specifically for certain menu items.

The Brown Honey Mustard Sauce at Arby’s is only available as a topping on Roast Turkey and Swiss Sandwiches and Roast Turkey and Swiss Wrap.

The Brown Honey Mustard sauce combines mustard, vinegar, egg, and horseradish for spiciness.

It does complement the sharpness of the swiss cheese well on the wrap and the sandwich.

It also has a noticeable flavor and is less sweet than most honey mustard sauces.

The Brown Honey Mustard Sauce at Arby’s contains eggs and should be noted for anyone with allergies or dietary restrictions.

12. Cheddar Cheese Sauce

You may have thought this Arby’s staple sauce would have ranked higher.

Not only does Arby’s Cheddar Cheese Sauce come on several of their menu items, like the Double Beef and Cheddar Sandwich, the Loaded Curly Fries, and the Classic Beef and Cheddar Sandwich, but you can also order a side of this sauce to add to your order.

While it is a basic cheese sauce thickened with milk, Arby’s Cheddar Cheese Sauce has a texture that resembles fast-order nacho cheese.

It is heavy, dense, and drowns out the texture of the meat on the sandwiches.

We like it as an alternative for dipping French fries, but it is certainly not a standout for flavor, and it is not unique in any way.

The serving size of Arby’s Cheddar Cheese Sauce is 48 grams and contains 50 calories per serving.

11. Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch Sauce

You can only find the Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch Sauce on Arby’s Roast Turkey Ranch and Bacon Sandwich, the Roast Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and the Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.

The Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch Sauce contains both eggs and milk, and its buttermilk base is blended with spices, egg yolks, and other flavors.

When paired with a buffalo chicken menu item, it has the same cooling effect you would expect from a Ranch dressing.

The buttermilk gives this sauce enough thickness to cover almost every bite.

The peppercorns give it just enough kick, and the parmesan provides enough bitterness to be a great accompaniment to the sandwiches Arby’s has chosen to add it.

You cannot order the Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch sauce on its own.

10. Buffalo Dipping Sauce

The Buffalo Dipping Sauce is one of four Arby’s sauces that you can choose when ordering chicken nuggets or chicken tenders. It can also be ordered on its own as a side sauce for any order.

The Buffalo Dipping Sauce doesn’t rank high on our list because those choosing a buffalo sauce are likely looking for heat, texture, and spice.

When it comes to buffalo sauces, this offering from Arby’s falls short. While it does have the heat you might expect, it lacks any complexity of flavor that buffalo sauce fans would expect.

However, if you are craving heat, this sauce will get the job done.

The Buffalo Dipping sauce contains milk and will add 10 calories per 28-gram serving to your order.

9. Ranch Dipping Sauce

At 100 calories per 28-gram serving, Arby’s Ranch Dipping Sauce is just that. It is a basic ranch dressing with garlic and herbs.

If you are a ranch lover, this sauce will not disappoint you, but it also won’t be an Arby’s sauce you will crave either.

Arby’s Ranch Dipping sauce contains milk and egg allergens and can be ordered with chicken tenders and nuggets or as a side to any other menu item.

8. Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

The Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce at Arby’s is another option you can get when ordering any of their chicken nugget or chicken tender menu items.

This sauce is more sweet than tangy and is comparable to Honey Mustard sauces at other restaurants.

It is sweet enough for kids and adults alike; however, if you are looking for a more robust mustard flavor, the sweetness in this sauce prevails.

The Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce has 130 calories per 28-gram serving and contains egg.

7. Gyro Sauce

Arby’s Gyro sauce comes on the Greek Gyro, Roast Beef Gyro, and Turkey Gyro.

This sauce has a buttermilk base, flavored with cucumbers and seasoned with spices like garlic, parsley, and onion.

The Gyro sauce is very well made and the perfect way to infuse traditional Greek flavors into all of Arby’s Gyro menu items.

Because this sauce is only available on their gyros, you should be aware that Arby’s Gyros contain eggs, milk, soy, and wheat.

Arby’s take on tzatziki sauce is flavorful, creamy, cooling, and does a great job introducing this Mediterranean staple to its customers.

6. Au Jus Sauce

Au Jus is a classic sauce at many restaurants and not just an Arby’s sauce. It is the DIP in a French Dip Sandwich.

Arby’s offers Au Jus sauce with their French Dip Sandwiches, and it can also be ordered as a side for any order.

The Au Jus Sauce at Arby’s is made from beef stock and beef fat with garlic. It contains milk, soy, and wheat.

Au Jus has a watery consistency, and Arby’s version has the saltiness you would expect from a traditional Au Jus.

They have done a great job creating the light, salty, and beefy flavor you want when dipping your sandwiches.

5. Tangy Barbeque Sauce

I would not have predicted that we would rank one of Arby’s Dipping Sauces so high on our list.

The Tangy Barbeque Sauce at Arby’s contains tomato paste, vinegar, molasses, onion and spices, and smoke flavoring.

When it comes to a Barbeque Sauce made for dipping in your chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, or fries, this Arby’s Sauce is a standout for sure. 

Arby’s Tangy Barbeque sauce does not contain any common allergens and has 45 calories per 28-gram serving.

If you are a barbeque sauce fan, you should try Arby’s Tangy Barbeque Sauce. You can also order it on its own or as a side sauce to any Arby’s order.

4. Red Ranch Sauce

Do not confuse Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce with Arby’s Sauce. While they are similar in color, they are not the same.

In fact, Arby’s Red Ranch Sauce isn’t a ranch sauce of any kind. It tastes more like the perfect combination of barbeque sauce and French dressing.

The Red Ranch Sauce has a tomato paste base and is flavored with paprika, vinegar, onion, salt, and other spices.

Arby’s Red Ranch sauce comes on the Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches, and you cannot order it on its own.

This tangy, thin, and flavorful sauce adds a unique flavor to Arby’s beef sandwiches and is likely why those sandwiches are so popular.

If you haven’t tried it yet, you might want to order yourself a Beef and Cheddar Sandwich on your next trip to Arby’s.

3. Arby’s Sauce

Among all the dipping sauces Arby’s offers, Arby’s Sauce is the most versatile and appeals to almost everyone’s palate. Arby’s Sauce has 15 calories per 14-gram serving and can be ordered on its own.

Arby’s Sauce contains no common allergens and is made with tomato paste, vinegar, onion, spices, and corn syrup.

It has the same flavor base as ketchup but with the additional tang of a barbeque sauce.

This sauce is not overly smokey or spicy, but it has an extra depth of flavor that makes Arby’s Sauce the perfect sauce for chicken nuggets, tenders, fries, curly fries, or to add on top of any Arby’s sandwich.

I could even see using this sauce at home on burgers, steaks, onion rings, and tater tots.

2. Bronco Berry Sauce

If you are not someone who orders Jalapeno Bites from Arby’s, then you may not even know this sauce exists!

The Bronco Berry Sauce from Arby’s comes as the side sauce for their Jalapeno Bites but can also be ordered on its own.

The Bronco Berry Sauce contains red peppers and jalapeno peppers and has 60 calories per 28-gram serving with no common allergens.

But don’t let the addition of jalapeno peppers fool you. This Arby’s sauce is bright in color and packed with flavor.

It has the texture and flavor of a sweet and sour sauce with a little extra kick.

Arby’s Bronco Berry Sauce is not only great with their Jalapeno Bites but also with chicken nuggets and French fries.

If you like sweet and sour flavors, you should ask for Bronco Berry Sauce at Arby’s!

1. Horsey Sauce

We know that horseradish is not for everyone, but Arby’s Horsey Sauce is one of the most original and flavorful sauces you can find anywhere. This is one of the most popular of Arby’s sauces, and with good reason!

For starters, if you are a horseradish lover, you know nothing compliments slow-roasted beef quite like the kick of horseradish.

Horsey Sauce is basically a combination of mayonnaise and horseradish. Its texture and punch elevate everything from Arby’s roast beef sandwiches to their chicken offerings.

What we love most about Arby’s Horsey Sauce is its versatility.

Even if it is too spicy on its own for your liking, you can add Horsey Sauce to Arby’s Sauce, Tangy Barbeque Sauce, or even Ketchup to customize its intensity and create your own perfect Arby’s Sauce.

Horsey Sauce contains 60 calories for every 14-gram serving and contains egg and vinegar.

If you haven’t tried it alone or mixed it with another Arby’s Sauce, you’re really missing out!

Honorable Mention: Spicy Three Pepper Sauce

Arby’s has another sauce that you may or may not have heard of. The Spicy Three Pepper Sauce at Arby’s gets some attention online; however, it is not available for purchase in every location.

The Spicy Three Pepper Sauce has 25 calories per 14-gram serving and is made of brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and a proprietary blend of peppers.

If you can order this sauce at your local Arby’s, its spiciness would be a great way to add heat to any other Arby’s Sauce as well as any Arby’s sandwich or wrap.

It was not available in our area to try, so while we could not rank the sauce, we wanted to include it on our list.

Conclusion

Arby’s sauces cover a wide range of flavors, textures, and uses. So the next time you order at Arby’s, be sure to add a side of their sauces, taste them all, and discover your new favorite Arby’s Sauce!

If you’re interested in learning more tips about Arby’s, check out the related articles below.

Related Articles:

Arby’s Has Sandwiches With More Than Just Roast Beef

Everything You Need to Know About Arby’s Gyros and the Gyro Sauce

What to Know About Arby’s Happy Hour (Time, Menu, and Other Specials)

How to Use Arby’s App to Get Coupons and Order Online

Arby’s Roast Beef: Everything You Need to Know About This Fan Favorite

About the Author

Alison Valsamis is a content creator with a passion for food, specifically cultural cuisine, family-friendly meal planning, and sustainable eating. When she is not working, she enjoys tending to her plant collection and having movie nights with her family.

 

By Alison Valsamis

November 12, 2022