Arby’s, sign and BBQ sauce
South San Francisco Arby’s, photographed 1991
I have a soft spot for Arby’s.
The food isn’t great. But when I was a kid, there wasn’t an Arby’s nearby – so heading to the South City location, which showcased a super cool flashing chuckwagon-themed neon sign, was always a special trip.
It was years before I even tasted what REAL sliced roast beef was – who knew it wouldn’t have a salty, lunchmeat-like boiled flavor?
Back then, Arby’s house BBQ sauce was sold in take home bottles; which today I’ve replaced with a knockoff recipe. The trick to a good sauce is a long, slow simmer and the right non-HFCS ketchup. Trader Joe’s Organic makes a great base.
steve’s alternative to arby’s sauce
ingredients
2 cups Trader Joe’s Organic Ketchup
a splash of water
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Dash each of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, sumac, ground coriander seed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black and white pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
A few dashes of Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon Tabasco Pepper Sauce
Dash of Rooster Sauce (Chili Garlic preferred)
to make
Combine all in a small saucepan and bring to a light boil, stirring constantly. Simmer on low heat for around an hour or more, add more water if necessary.
Store in a canning jar, keep in fridge. Will hold up for a month or two.
Enjoy on Genuine Arby’s Food or any non-Arby’s edible that needs a sweet, spicy tang.
Recipe adapted from Todd Wilbur’s Top Secret Recipe site; mason jar photo found via Flickr
