My Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe | foodiecrush.com (2024)

This classic reuben sandwich features homemade corned beef and sauerkraut, melty Swiss, and a rich, creamy Russian dressing, all sandwiched between the best marbled rye bread. Pass the napkins.

It’s a sandwich in the classical sense of sandwiches. But itis so much more than that.

It’s grilled. It’s cheesy. It’s crunchy and gooey all at the same time. It begs to be dipped into matzo ball soup, and in our family, it is.

And it’s probably the only sandwich I honestly, seriously crave.

I bet you knowthat feeling. That gut-wrenching, I DON’T CARE IF I’M ON A DIET, mouth-watering-when-you-think-about-it CRAVING!!!. For the love of God, just give me a bite!

And more napkins. Lots more napkins.

I became a reuben aficionado in 4th grade or so. That’s about the time my mom and I started going onshopping dates. We would drive to the big city of Salt Lake to window shop where I’dtry to convince her to buy meaniron-on-Farrah Fawcett-emblazoned t-shirt, and she’d try to convince me to wearculottes. Annnnnnd, they’re back.Ugh.

After shopping we always made time for lunch. I think that secretly that shopping was just an excuse to lunch. We most always ended up at The Pub, normally for adults only, but because I was with mom, I got in too.

That’s where I had my first Reuben. It was life-altering and spoiled me for any other sandwich eclipsing that meaty, sauerkraut bite between two slices of rye bread. Others would solidly stand forever in the shadows of it’s sandwich greatness.

So when it comes time for the St. Patrick’s Day and the opportunity to break out the slow cooker to makemy favorite slow cookercorned beef, I ALWAYS plan on sandwiches after.

Yes, I’ll even gyp family members on theirserving of corned beef if I see we’re running low on leftovers for sandwich fixins’.

They always thank me later.

About the Recipe

To start off thiskiller sandwich, I always opt forcorned beef rather than pastrami. As I mentioned above, I start off with homemade corned beef rather than what you might find at the deli. I simply prefer the meatier chunks instead of thin, shaved slices. If I have extra jus left over from cooking my corned beef, I save it separately and warm the corned beef in the jus to moisten and flavor it before layering it on the bread. Otherwise a quick zap in the microwave works for warming it up for me.

My version of the best reuben is all about the fixins’, of which there are few, making it a very simple sandwich to make.

One of the key ingredients is a really good rye bread. It can sometimes be a challenge to find a decent, thick sliced rye bread but if you search out a local bakery, you will hopefully find yourself in luck. The rye seeds with bits of caraway add the unique herby flavor to any reuben. I found my Rye Swirl Pullman bread from our local Stoneground Bakery. I imagine it’s more plentiful during March when reubens are in higher demand so it’s easier to find.

Next up is the cheese. I used a sliced swiss cheese for this sandwich and put a slice on both the bottom piece of the bread and the top piece of bread. The melted cheese acts as a barrier so your bread won’t get soggy if you happen to add a little extra jus or sauerkraut juice. Just sayin’ you might.

A homemade Russian dressing ties this sandwich together. I sort of gag at the thought that I used to make this salad dressing for myself at dinner time as a kid and called it Thousand Island dressing, slathering it on iceberg lettuce and cucumbers. So gourmet!These days I save it especially for this sandwich. My secret ingredient is a tablespoon of pickle juice. It adds just the right vinegar kick.

Be sure to drain the sauerkraut well so your sandwich isn’t soggy. If you aren’t a fan of sauerkraut, try using coleslaw instead. This is my favorite homemade coleslaw recipe.

Remember to butter the outsides of your bread before stacking your sandwich high and butter the outside of the bread so the dents and crevasses of your break align as if they were still in loaf formation.

I use a cast iron skillet and cook my sandwiches over medium low heat, just high enough to melt the cheese and gently toast the bread.

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave aMy Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe | foodiecrush.com (7)My Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe | foodiecrush.com (8)My Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe | foodiecrush.com (9)My Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe | foodiecrush.com (10)My Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe | foodiecrush.com (11)rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo andtag me on Instagramwith #foodiecrusheats.

My Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe | foodiecrush.com (12)

Print

4.07 from 62 votes

My Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe

This classic reuben sandwich features homemade corned beef and sauerkraut, melty Swiss, and a rich, creamy Russian dressing, all sandwiched between the best marbled rye bread.

Course Sandwich

Cuisine Irish

Keyword reuben

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 makes 2 sandwiches

Calories 532kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle juice
  • 1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon horseradish cream
  • 4 slices marbled rye bread
  • 3-4 tablespoons butter , softened
  • 4 slices swiss cheese
  • ½ pound cooked corned beef , warmed
  • ½ cup sauerkraut , drained

Instructions

  • Mix the mayonnaise, pickle juice, pickle relish, lemon juice and horseradish cream in a small bowl and set aside.

  • Preheat a frypan on medium to medium-low heat. Butter one side of each of the slices of bread and place the buttered sides together. On one set of bread, lay a slice of swiss cheese on the bread, then top with half of the warmed corned beef, then half of the drained sauerkraut and half of the Russian dressing. Place the sandwich buttered side down in the frypan and top with another slice of cheese and the other side of the bread, buttered side up. Cover with a lid and cook until the cheese melts and the bread is golden. Flip and cook on the other side. Repeat with the makings of the other sandwich.

Nutrition

Calories: 532kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1357mg | Potassium: 278mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 442IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 2mg

My Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe | foodiecrush.com (13)

We send good emails.Subscribe to FoodieCrushand have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.

Follow me onInstagram,Facebook,PinterestandTwitterfor more FoodieCrush inspiration.

As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There may be affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.

My Favorite Reuben Sandwich Recipe | foodiecrush.com (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a Reuben sandwich not soggy? ›

Reubens traditionally rely on rye bread, which is dense and can soak up any extra juices — so don't swap it for another variety if you can manage. To further fight sogginess, toast the rye bread so that it holds up to the sauerkraut's texture along with ingredients like the sauce and melted cheese.

Should a Reuben have pastrami or corned beef? ›

A Reuben sandwich is typically made with corned beef. It would taste great with pastrami too, it just wouldn't be a classic Reuben! Bottom line: You can't go wrong with either of these flavor-packed deli meats.

Is a Reuben still a Reuben without sauerkraut? ›

You can certainly make a sandwich without sauerkraut, but it won't be a reuben sandwich since one of the ingredients that defines the sandwich as being a reuben is sauerkraut.

What was on the original Reuben sandwich? ›

He decided to try something new for his friends and put together the first reuben sandwich using swiss cheese, corned beef, sauerkraut, and his special deli sauce on rye. It was such a big hit with his poker group, he decided to include it on the menu of a nearby hotel and it grew in popularity ever since.

Should a Reuben be pressed or toasted? ›

In some cases, this rule works for melts, which is what a Reuben technically is. But with the Reuben, I prefer to revert to single-side toasting, because I like the inner surfaces of the bread in a Reuben to be slightly steamed and tender, the whole thing partially fusing together.

What animal is pastrami? ›

Pastrami is made from beef brisket that has been cured, coated in spices, cold smoked and then steamed. Pastrami's thick coat of spices typically includes crushed black pepper, coriander, mustard seeds, garlic and other spices that might be included in a pickling spice mixture.

Is Arby's Reuben real corned beef? ›

About the Sandwich

Marbled rye bread filled with freshly sliced corned beef, melty Swiss Cheese, tangy sauerkraut and creamy Thousand Island dressing. This is a Reuben sandwich inspired by the New York standard.

What is a substitute for Swiss cheese in a Reuben sandwich? ›

Swiss cheese: Swiss cheese is generally used for a Reuben Sandwich because of its mild flavor. You may also try mozzarella or provolone cheese, two more mild-tasting kinds of cheese.

Do Jews eat Reuben sandwiches? ›

As a Reuben combines both meat and dairy ingredients in the same meal, it is not kosher. However, it is frequently served at kosher style restaurants. Kosher versions may be made using non-dairy imitation cheese, or substitute vegetarian corned beef, or omitting the meat or the cheese.

What is the difference between Thousand Island and Russian dressing for Reuben? ›

The main difference is that Russian dressing has a little horseradish in it and thousand island dressing doesn't. Nothing wrong with mustard instead of Russian dressing on a Reuben but if that's what you want you'd better order it that way because that's not the classic treatment.

What is a cape cod Reuben? ›

Fried Haddock filet, Swiss cheese, homemade coleslaw & Russian dressing served on marble rye.

What is a Katz Reuben? ›

Your choice of pastrami, corned beef or turkey breast with melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and homemade Russian dressing, all on grilled rye bread... Order Online.

Is Russian dressing the same as Thousand Island? ›

The ingredient that differentiates Russian dressing from Thousand Island is—drumroll, please—horseradish. When you have Russian dressing accenting a hearty sandwich like a Reuben, the horseradish can be hard to detect, especially when you've got the sharp, funky flavors of sauerkraut to contend with.

What is a fun fact about the Reuben sandwich? ›

According to Omaha lore, the combination of rye bread, corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut had been dreamed up in 1925 to feed participants in a late-night poker game at the Blackstone Hotel in downtown Omaha by a local grocer, Reuben Kulakofsky.

How do you make sandwiches not soggy ahead of time? ›

Use. Parchment paper checks all the boxes: It's slightly porous and absorbs some moisture that other materials don't. Be sure to employ the double-wrap technique: Wrap your sandwich in one layer, cut the sandwich in half through the parchment paper, and then wrap it again for extra security.

How do you keep a sandwich crispy? ›

Toast the bread

A light toast (don't go too crazy here) is the first step in creating a moisture barrier for your sandwich. Bonus: By toasting your bread, you will not only cut down the sog-factoro, you'll help create another crisp crunchy texture element in the sandwich.

How do you add moisture to a sandwich? ›

The spread adds flavor and moisture, mayonnaise and butter add richness. The spread also creates a moisture barrier, so the bread doesn't get soggy. The main types of spreads are mayonnaise, salad dressing, butter, and variety spreads such as hummus, pesto and cream cheese.

How do you make a breakfast sandwich less dry? ›

Condiments are important.

A dry sandwich is a bad sandwich. It's super disappointing to bite into a breakfast sandwich that falls apart as you eat. Spread on a layer of aioli, pesto, smashed avocado, hot sauce, or pesto, or get a little fancy and try some spicy maple butter.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5842

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.