Are Arby’s Steak Nuggets Actually Worth the Hype?

Fast food chains are constantly trying to outdo each other with wild new menu items. While most competitors have spent the last few years fighting over who makes the best fried chicken sandwich, Arby’s decided to take a completely different route. Staying true to their famous “We Have the Meats” slogan, they introduced a unique twist on a drive-thru classic: Steak Nuggets.

What Are Arby’s Steak Nuggets?

Arby’s Steak Nuggets are bite-sized, hand-cut pieces of steak that are seared, smoked, and seasoned with garlic and black pepper. Unlike traditional fast-food nuggets, they are entirely unbreaded. This makes them highly reminiscent of slow-cooked brisket burnt ends rather than typical crispy, deep-fried snacks.

Arby’s launched these nuggets nationwide in late 2025, and they have remained a highly debated menu item into 2026. Because they lack a breaded exterior, they cater to a slightly different demographic than the usual fast-food crowd. They are essentially pure protein bites packed with a strong, smoky barbecue flavor.

What Are the Arby’s Steak Nuggets Menu Options?

You can order Arby’s Steak Nuggets in three distinct ways: as an à la carte entrée, inside a toasted sandwich, or layered on top of a white cheddar macaroni and cheese bowl. Each option provides a completely different texture and flavor experience for customers.

Steak Nuggets (À La Carte)

The standard à la carte option allows you to experience the meat all by itself. You can order these in a 5-piece or 9-piece serving. They are served plain with a side of Hickory BBQ sauce for dipping. This is the best choice if you want a low-carb snack or simply want to taste the garlic and pepper seasoning without any distractions.

Steak Nugget Sandwich

The Steak Nugget Sandwich takes five smoked steak nuggets and places them on a toasted bun. It is topped with melted Havarti cheese, crispy fried onions, tangy pickles, and a generous spread of mayonnaise (or Arby’s signature Horsey Sauce). The combination of the creamy cheese, rich mayo, and acidic pickles helps balance the smoky, chewy texture of the beef.

Steak Nugget Bowl

The Steak Nugget Bowl features a bed of creamy white cheddar mac and cheese topped with a generous portion of steak nuggets and a sprinkling of crispy onions. This hearty bowl attempts to blend the rich, cheesy comfort of pasta with the backyard barbecue flavor of the smoked steak pieces.

How Much Do Arby’s Steak Nuggets Cost in 2026?

What is the current price of Arby’s Steak Nuggets?
As of 2026, the 5-piece Steak Nuggets cost approximately $5.29, while the 9-piece option is priced at $9.29. The Steak Nugget Sandwich costs around $8.29, and the loaded Steak Nugget Bowl will run you about $9.29. Prices may vary slightly based on your local restaurant.

Here is a quick breakdown of the pricing:

• 5-Piece Steak Nuggets: $5.29
• 9-Piece Steak Nuggets: $9.29
• Steak Nugget Sandwich: $8.29
• Steak Nugget Bowl: $9.29

Note: These prices do not include a drink or fries. You will need to upgrade to a meal combo if you want those additions, which generally adds a few dollars to the total.

What Are the Calories and Nutrition Facts for Arby’s Steak Nuggets?

A 5-piece serving of Arby’s Steak Nuggets contains 340 calories, 27 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and 17 grams of protein. Because they lack a breaded coating, they are relatively low in carbohydrates, making them a suitable option for customers monitoring their carb intake.

If you are tracking your macros, here is how the 5-piece serving stacks up:

The sandwich and bowl formats significantly increase the calorie and carbohydrate counts due to the toasted bun, macaroni, cheese, and mayonnaise.

How Do Arby’s Steak Nuggets Actually Taste?

Arby’s Steak Nuggets have a very strong, smoky flavor similar to peppered beef jerky or brisket burnt ends. While the flavor is robust, the meat can lean on the dry and chewy side because it lacks a protective breaded coating to lock in moisture during the cooking process.

Our honest review reveals a mixed bag of results based on how you order them.

• The À La Carte Nuggets: The smoke flavor hits you immediately. However, without a bun or sauce, they can feel a bit tough. You will definitely want to utilize the provided BBQ sauce to add some necessary moisture.
• The Sandwich: This is arguably the most successful format. The excessive moisture from the mayonnaise and melted Havarti cheese perfectly masks the dryness of the steak. The pickles provide a sharp, acidic crunch that cuts through the heavy smoke flavor.
• The Mac and Cheese Bowl: While it sounds incredible on paper, the bowl struggles slightly. The steak flavor can quickly overpower the delicate white cheddar pasta. Many reviewers found that adding a drizzle of BBQ sauce over the top helps tie the dish together.

How Do Steak Nuggets Compare to Chicken Nuggets at Arby’s?

Arby’s Steak Nuggets are unbreaded, smoked pieces of beef featuring a chewy, jerky-like texture, while Arby’s Chicken Nuggets are traditional, white-meat chicken coated in a crispy, deep-fried breading. The steak option offers a bolder barbecue flavor, whereas the chicken provides a classic fast-food crunch.

If you are trying to decide between the two, consider these points:

• Texture: Chicken nuggets win easily if you want a satisfying crunch. The steak nuggets are much denser.
• Dietary Needs: The steak nuggets are much more keto-friendly due to the lack of breading.
• Flavor Profile: The chicken nuggets are a blank canvas for sauces. The steak nuggets already have an aggressive garlic and pepper profile.

What Are the Best Dipping Sauces for Arby’s Steak Nuggets?

Hickory BBQ sauce is the official pairing for Arby’s Steak Nuggets, as it perfectly complements the smoky, burnt-end flavor profile. However, Arby’s signature Horsey Sauce is also a fantastic choice, providing a creamy horseradish kick that traditional steakhouses use for premium beef cuts.

Other great sauce options include:

• Arby’s Sauce: The classic sweet and tangy flavor works well with the salty beef.
• Cheddar Cheese Sauce: Dipping the nuggets in warm cheese mimics a Philly cheesesteak experience.

Are Arby’s Steak Nuggets Still Available in 2026?

Yes, Arby’s Steak Nuggets are still available on the menu in 2026 at participating locations. While they originally launched as a limited-time offering in late 2025, strong customer curiosity and robust sales have kept them in the current menu rotation for the time being.

Fast food limited-time offers (LTOs) are notoriously unpredictable. If you want to try the sandwich or the bowl, it is highly recommended to grab them before Arby’s cycles them out for a new seasonal promotion.

How to Order Arby’s Steak Nuggets

You can order Arby’s Steak Nuggets directly at the drive-thru, inside the restaurant, or by using the official Arby’s mobile app. Ordering through the app is highly recommended, as you can easily customize your sandwich toppings and often find exclusive digital coupons to lower your total price.

To get the best value, check the “Deals” tab on the app before you finalize your cart. Arby’s frequently offers promotions like percentage discounts or free sides that can offset the slightly higher price tag of these premium steak items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Arby’s Steak Nuggets real steak?

Yes, they are made from real, hand-cut pieces of beef steak that are seasoned, seared, and smoked to create a bold, meaty flavor profile.

How many calories are in 5 Arby’s Steak Nuggets?

A standard 5-piece serving contains exactly 340 calories, along with 27 grams of fat and 17 grams of protein.

How much do Arby’s Steak Nuggets cost?

The 5-piece entrée costs $5.29, the 9-piece costs $9.29, the sandwich is priced at $8.29, and the bowl costs $9.29 (prices may vary locally).

What sauce comes with Arby’s Steak Nuggets?

When ordered à la carte, the nuggets are served with a side of Hickory BBQ sauce to complement the smoked seasoning.

Are Arby’s Steak Nuggets keto?

Yes, the à la carte steak nuggets are very keto-friendly. Because they are unbreaded, a 5-piece serving contains only 5 grams of total carbohydrates.

What’s the difference between the Steak Nugget Sandwich and the Bowl?

The sandwich features the nuggets on a bun with Havarti cheese, mayo, pickles, and crispy onions. The bowl places the nuggets directly over white cheddar mac and cheese.

Are Arby’s Steak Nuggets still on the menu in 2026?

Yes, they are currently still available at participating locations nationwide as a continuation of their late 2025 limited-time promotional launch.

Do Arby’s Steak Nuggets come with sides?

No, the prices listed are for the entrées only. You must upgrade to a meal combo to receive curly fries and a fountain drink.

Can you order Arby’s Steak Nuggets on the app?

Absolutely. You can find all three steak nugget variations on the Arby’s mobile app for easy pickup or delivery.

Are Arby’s Steak Nuggets spicy?

They are not hot-spicy, but they are heavily seasoned with black pepper and garlic, giving them a robust, savory kick.