Calories in an Arby's Roast Beef: Full Nutrition Breakdown

The Arby's Classic Roast Beef sandwich features thinly sliced, slow-roasted beef piled on a toasted sesame seed bun. At approximately 360 calories with 23 grams of protein, it is one of the lighter options in the fast food burger and sandwich category. Arby's signature roast beef is a leaner protein source than ground beef patties, which helps keep the fat content relatively moderate compared to most fast food competitors.

Calories by serving size:

The Classic Roast Beef is one of the more balanced fast food sandwiches available, with a relatively favorable protein-to-calorie ratio. Sodium is the main nutritional concern across all Arby's roast beef options, with even the Classic version containing 970 mg, and the Half Pound Roast Beef reaching 1860 mg — over 80% of the recommended daily limit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does the Classic Roast Beef compare to the Double?

The Classic Roast Beef has 360 calories with 23 grams of protein, while the Double Roast Beef jumps to 510 calories with 34 grams of protein. The Double version adds an extra portion of roast beef along with more fat and an additional 450 mg of sodium. If you want more protein without too many extra calories, the Double offers a reasonable upgrade at just 150 additional calories for 11 more grams of protein.

How does Arby's compare to Subway for roast beef?

An Arby's Classic Roast Beef has 360 calories and 23 grams of protein, while a Subway 6-inch Roast Beef sandwich has about 320 calories and 25 grams of protein. Subway's version is slightly lower in calories and higher in protein, partly because the bread is lighter and the sandwich includes more vegetables by default. However, Arby's typically offers more generous meat portions, and Subway's calorie count can climb quickly with cheese and sauces.

Is Arby's roast beef a healthy fast food option?

The Classic Roast Beef is one of the better fast food choices at 360 calories with 14 grams of fat and 23 grams of protein. The roast beef itself is a lean protein source compared to fried chicken or ground beef patties. The main downside is the sodium content at 970 mg per sandwich, and adding curly fries and a drink can easily push a meal over 1000 calories.

How many calories does Arby's sauce add?

A single packet of Arby's signature sauce adds approximately 15 calories and 3 grams of sugar, making it one of the lower-calorie dipping sauce options in fast food. Horsey Sauce, Arby's other popular condiment, adds about 60 calories and 5 grams of fat per packet. If you are watching calories closely, Arby's sauce is the better condiment choice, though multiple packets will add up.

How does the Beef 'n Cheddar compare to the Classic Roast Beef?

The Beef 'n Cheddar has 450 calories compared to the Classic Roast Beef's 360 calories, an increase of about 90 calories. The extra calories come from the cheddar cheese sauce, red ranch sauce, and the onion roll that replaces the sesame seed bun. The Beef 'n Cheddar also has significantly more sodium at 1300 mg versus 970 mg, making the Classic the leaner and lower-sodium option by a clear margin.