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)

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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)

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

FAQs

What is a redneck Reuben sandwich? ›

The Redneck Reuben Sandwich is the best BBQ sandwich on the planet! Pork, cheese, collard greens and Texas toast, what more could you need ...

Should a Reuben have pastrami or corned beef? ›

Corned beef originated in Irish communities and is commonly served on St. Patrick's Day alongside cabbage, as with this Corned Beef and Cabbage (pictured above). Corned beef is also a key ingredient in a Reuben sandwich and leftovers can also be used to make Corned Beef Hash.

How do you keep a Reuben from getting soggy? ›

Both kinds of meat are cured, but pastrami is then coated with a flavorful spice rub and smoked. Why is my Reuben sandwich soggy? The culprit is most likely the sauerkraut. Be sure to drain off as much liquid as possible from the sauerkraut before piling it onto your Reuben sandwich to prevent any sogginess.

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 is a Texas Reuben? ›

“a deli classic reinvented for. south Texas tastes…”

This Texas Reuben features our own lean smoked brisket thrown over some buttered and griddled rye bread. Our sauerkraut is cooked in-house and not like what you usually imagine when it comes to this German staple.

What is a Manhattan Reuben sandwich? ›

The Reuben Sandwich is an American classic made with savory corned beef piled on our favorite marble rye bread and topped with plenty of baby swiss cheese, crunchy, tangy sauerkraut, and zippy Russian dressing, then griddled to perfection until the cheese melts and the bread is toasted.

Is Thousand Island the same as Russian dressing? ›

While there are a lot of overlapping ingredients, there are also some key differences between these two iconic slathers. To start, both are mostly made from a mix of mayonnaise and ketchup, but generally, Russian dressing is a little spicy while Thousand Island tends to be on the sweeter side.

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.

Is Russian or Thousand Island better on a Reuben? ›

A good Reuben isn't anything too complicated. All you need is corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and rye bread—but the one ingredient that really ties the room together is the Russian dressing.

Are Reubens better hot or cold? ›

A Reuben can be served cold, but it's far better when it is served hot like the recipe calls for. The melted cheese blends all the ingredients together for a messy and delightful sandwich.

Does a Reuben have Thousand Island or Russian? ›

The Reuben sandwich is a North American grilled sandwich composed of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread. It is associated with kosher-style delicatessens but is not kosher, as it combines meat and cheese.

What is a Reuben without sauerkraut called? ›

The Rachel sandwich is one of several variations on the famous sandwich. Instead of the classic corned beef and sauerkraut, the Rachel is usually made with turkey or pastrami and coleslaw. Both sandwiches are made with Swiss cheese and rye bread.

Can you eat a cold Reuben? ›

The sandwich is traditionally made with sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on rye bread. It is usually fried like a grilled cheese sandwich and served hot, but it may be served cold.

What ethnicity is a Reuben sandwich? ›

The prototype for the Reuben sandwich goes back to the early 20th century in a New York Jewish deli called Reuben's Restaurant and Deli. They often hosted celebrities after a night out at the theater and in 1914, actress Annette Seelos came into the deli.

What is the original Reuben sandwich? ›

One origin story holds that Reuben Kulakofsky (his first name sometimes spelled Reubin; his last name sometimes shortened to Kay), a Lithuanian-born Jewish grocer residing in Omaha, Nebraska, asked for a sandwich made of corned beef and sauerkraut at his weekly poker game held in the Blackstone Hotel from around 1920 ...

What's the difference between a Reuben and a Rachel sandwich? ›

Perhaps owing to its absence of an exact origin story, the Rachel is certainly more of a pliable sandwich than the classic Reuben as far as ingredients are concerned. The first major difference is that the Rachel swaps brisket-based corned beef for pastrami, which comes from a comparatively leaner cut of the cow.

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.

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