Arby’s Steak Bites Review: Are Steak Nuggets Worth It?
Arby’s Steak Bites: My Honest Review After Trying Them Twice
I walked in expecting chicken nugget energy but with beef, and what I got from Arby’s steak bites was something completely different. If you’ve seen these show up on the menu and you’re wondering whether they’re worth your money, I’ve ordered them more than once and I’m going to give it to you straight.
Arby’s calls them Steak Nuggets on the official menu, but most people searching for them just call them Arby’s steak bites, so I’ll use both throughout this review since that’s genuinely what they are.
What Are Arby’s Steak Bites?
Arby’s steak bites are hand cut, bite sized pieces of steak seasoned with garlic and pepper, then seared and smoked. Unlike a chicken nugget, there’s no breading here. It’s just steak, served warm with a side of hickory BBQ sauce.
Arby’s marketing leaned into the idea that steak has always been inconvenient to eat on the go, and this was their fix. It’s a genuinely different concept for a fast food chain, and I respect that they tried something new instead of another chicken sandwich.
How Arby’s Steak Bites Are Served
You can order them a few different ways. There’s a straightforward 5 piece or 9 piece entree, a Steak Nugget Sandwich with havarti cheese, crispy onions, pickles, and mayo, and a Steak Nugget Bowl with white cheddar mac and cheese and crispy onions on top.
Arby’s Steak Bites Price & Options
Pricing shifts depending on your location, but here is a clear breakdown of what you can expect to pay across national markets in 2026:
| Menu Option | Estimated Price | Calories | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Piece Entree | $5.29 – $7.49 | ~340 kcal | Quick protein snack |
| 9-Piece Entree | ~$9.29 | ~610 kcal | Heavy protein meal |
| Steak Nugget Sandwich | ~$7.99 | ~680 kcal | Balanced dinner order |
| Steak Nugget Bowl | $8.99 – $9.50 | ~880 kcal | Maximum comfort food |
I paid close to $7 for my 5 piece order with a drink, which felt steep for a snack sized portion. This is not a budget menu item, and I think Arby’s knows that.
Is the Price Worth It?
Honestly, this is where I hesitate to give a full recommendation. For the price of a 5 piece order, you could get most of the way toward a full sandwich meal elsewhere on the menu. I’ll get into why that matters more once you know what’s actually in the container.
What Do Arby’s Steak Bites Actually Taste Like?
This is the part I want to be honest about instead of just cheerleading the product. The flavor of the seasoning is solid, garlic and pepper with a smoky finish that genuinely tastes like it spent time near real heat. That part impressed me.
The texture is where things get inconsistent. My first order had a few pieces that were tender, but a handful were dry and tough enough that they took real effort to chew through. This lines up with what other reviewers have reported too, so it doesn’t seem like an isolated bad batch.
My honest take: when you get a good piece, it’s genuinely tasty and reminds me of brisket burnt ends. When you get a dry piece, it’s a rough bite. The consistency needs work.
How Does the Sauce Help?
The included hickory BBQ sauce does a lot of heavy lifting here. It adds moisture and sweetness that covers up some of the dryness, so I’d recommend not skipping it, especially if you’re ordering the plain entree instead of the sandwich or bowl.
Arby’s Steak Bites Nutrition Facts
If you’re tracking protein or watching sodium, here’s what you’re working with for the 5 piece entree, which is the most common order:
- Calories: about 340
- Protein: about 17 grams
- Fat: about 27 grams
- Sodium: about 670 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: about 5 grams
The 9 piece jumps to roughly 30 grams of protein but also climbs past 1,200 milligrams of sodium, and the Steak Nugget Bowl is the heaviest option at around 880 calories and over 2,000 milligrams of sodium. If sodium is a concern for you, the plain 5 piece entree is the smarter choice out of the lineup.
Are Arby’s Steak Bites Good for a High Protein Diet?
They’re genuinely one of the more protein dense options on the menu, especially compared to sides like curly fries or mozzarella sticks. If you’re specifically hunting for protein and don’t mind the sodium trade off, this is one of the few Arby’s items built around that goal.
Arby’s Steak Bites vs Other Arby’s Proteins
I get asked how these stack up against Arby’s classic roast beef, and honestly, the roast beef sandwich still wins for me on consistency. If you want to see exactly why that sandwich has stayed a favorite for decades, I broke it down in my copycat Arby’s roast beef recipe, which covers the flavor profile in more detail.
Steak bites are more of a novelty snack you order when you want something different, not a replacement for the sandwiches Arby’s has built its reputation on.
Should You Order Arby’s Steak Bites?
If you’re curious and want to try something new off the menu, I think it’s worth one order just for the experience. If you’re expecting a consistently tender, sandwich replacing protein, temper your expectations a bit based on my experience and what other reviewers have found.
I’d personally order the sandwich version over the plain entree, since the extra ingredients help balance out any dry pieces you run into.
Before you head out, it’s worth checking this week’s Arby’s specials, since steak bites have shown up bundled into combo deals at some locations. And if breakfast is more your speed, I’ve also got a full guide to the Arby’s breakfast menu.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arby’s Steak Bites
What are Arby’s steak bites made of?
They’re hand cut pieces of real steak, seasoned with garlic and pepper, then seared and smoked. There’s no breading involved, unlike a traditional nugget.
How much do Arby’s steak bites cost?
A 5 piece entree typically runs between $5.29 and $7.49 depending on your location, with the 9 piece closer to $9.29.
Are Arby’s steak bites a limited time item?
Yes, they launched as a limited time offering, so availability can vary by location and may not last indefinitely. I’d check with your local store before making a special trip.
How many calories are in Arby’s steak bites?
A 5 piece entree has about 340 calories, while the 9 piece and the Steak Nugget Bowl run significantly higher.
Do Arby’s steak bites come with sauce?
Yes, the entree comes with a side of hickory BBQ sauce, which I’d recommend using since it helps with any dry pieces in the order.
Are Arby’s steak bites high in protein?
Yes, a 5 piece order has about 17 grams of protein, and the 9 piece has closer to 30 grams, making it one of the more protein dense items on the menu.
Is the Arby’s Steak Nugget Sandwich better than the plain entree?
In my experience, yes. The havarti cheese, crispy onions, and mayo help balance out the texture issues you can run into with the plain entree.
Are Arby’s steak bites gluten free?
The steak itself isn’t breaded, but the sandwich version includes a bun, so that option would not be gluten free. Always confirm with staff about shared prep surfaces if you have a sensitivity.
Final Verdict
Arby’s steak bites are a bold, different idea for a fast food menu, and I respect the attempt. The seasoning is genuinely good, but the texture consistency needs to improve before I’d call this a must order every time. Try it once, lean on the sauce, and set your expectations accordingly.
Have you tried Arby’s steak bites yet? I’d love to hear whether your order matched my experience or if you got a better batch than I did.