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Reuben Sandwich Recipe

The tangy Reuben Sandwich. Make this hot sandwich for a change up in your lunch or dinner menu. With a combination of Swiss cheese, corned beef, mustard, piquant sauerkraut and delicious 1000 Island dressing on rye bread; it’s a satisfying all in one meal.

This sandwich is a fantastic way to use up any leftover corned beef. The soft, shredded meat is easy to pile on and brings an insane amount of flavor that everyone loves.

Reuben Sandwich

What is a Reuben Sandwich made of?

The Classic Reuben sandwich is made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or thousand island dressing. Traditionally, marble or rye bread is used to serve the hot, melted mixture. 

The corned beef could be substituted with pastrami which will bring added flavor and may be easier to source, but, it wouldn’t technically qualify as a true Reuben Sandwich.

How do you make the Reuben Sandwich?

Try our favorite leftover corned beef and sandwich recipes

Click on any of the recipes below to explore more delicious meals. These are some of our favorite hot sandwiches, and the hash is perfect for a hearty start to your day.

What do you serve with a Reuben Sandwich?

Because hot sandwiches are quintessential diner food, they are usually enjoy alongside a plate of chips, potato salad, and maybe a pickle wedge. But, don’t let that stop you! There are so many delicious sides you can enjoy with this melted reuben sandwich. Here are some ideas to get you going.

We love the corned beef flavor bursting through the sauerkraut and Swiss. Any remaining corned beef leftovers can make a wonderful plate of Corned beef Hash and Eggs for breakfast the next day. 

The Reuben sandwich is a messy choice. Bring the napkins to the table, you will need them. It makes a fun option to serve at a guys night, a summer party, or tailgating event. Just plug in your sandwich press and pile everything on!

Rueben Sandwich

Who invented the Reuben Sandwich?

This traditional American Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich became a hit in the early 20th century. It’s now as traditional as apple pie. Corned beef season just begs for this sandwich. It’s a messy, juicy sandwich devoured all over the country in diners and homes. The story goes that a man named Rueben in Omaha Nebraska invented it one night for his friends at a poker game.

What does rye bread taste like?

Rye bread has an earthy, almost herbal flavor and is covered in caraway seeds. These seeds have a noticeable flavor that adds to the richness of this bread. Certain rye breads are made with a sourdough base which gives them a slight tang, while others are sweeter.

Reuben Sandwich

Reuben Sandwich ingredients

All you need to make this delicious hot sandwich is rye bread, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing. Those are the traditional ingredients used to make this hearty bite.

But, if you have been around our blog you know that we love to add our own spin. Sooo…if you are looking to spice things up, or change some of the ingredients to suite your preferences; we do too! We actually diced up some perpperoncinis and added them to the sauerkraut for some more spice, and add some delicious spicy brown mustard.

If you don’t care for marble or rye bread consider using a hearty sourdough slice. It will bring a rich flavor and hold together once it’s toasted together with the ingredients.

Reuben Sandwich Ingredients

How do you toast a hot sandwich?

Sandwich presses are the easiest option and will give you the best toasted crunch. You will get an even amount of pressure and heat distributed throughout the sandwich.

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The sandwiches can be cut into quarters and placed on a sandwich tray to pass around for parties. A little bit goes a long way. Definitely a delicious meal in a sandwich right here!

Reuben Sandwich Is A Favorite American Sandwich. Piquant Combination Of Swiss Cheese, Corned Beef, Sauerkraut And Delicious Dressing

Is the Reuben Sandwich healthy?

The Reuben sandwich calories are better qualified as ‘comfort calories’. This sandwich for sure doesn’t stand in the healthy category. The fats are high and the sodium from the corned beef isn’t great. Thousand island dressing is also high in fats and has few redeeming ingredients. But tasty? Oh it’s definitely that.

Reuben Sandwich Is A Favorite American Sandwich. Piquant Combination Of Swiss Cheese, Corned Beef, Sauerkrau
Yield: 1 sandwich

Reuben Sandwich Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

The Reuben Sandwich is a hot grilled combination of Swiss Cheese, corned beef, mustard, piquant sauerkraut and delicious dressing on rye bread. Great party food or a filling lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 slices Rye Bread
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 Tablespoon 1000 Island Dressing
  • 1 tsp. brown mustard
  • 1 Slice Swiss cheese
  • 1 pepperoncini pepper finely chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Sauerkraut
  • 1/2 Cup Corned Beef

Instructions

  1. heat the sauerkraut and corned beef and keep warm.
  2. Set a skillet to medium heat
  3. Butter the two slices of bread on one side only
  4. spread the 1000 island dressing on the other side of the two pieces of bread.
  5. Smooth the mustard over the 1000 island dressing
  6. Arrange the corned beef on one of the pieces of bread
  7. Lay the swiss cheese over the corned beef
  8. Carefully set the sauerkraut and pepperoncini over the swiss cheese
  9. Cover with the other piece of prepared bread and put into the skillet.
  10. Cook until the bread is browned and then flip the sandwich over with a spatula
  11. cook a few more minutes until the sandwich is golden on both sides and the cheese is melty.
  12. Remove from pan and serve

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Nutrition Information

Yield

1

Serving Size

1 large sandwich

Amount Per Serving Calories 796Total Fat 60gSaturated Fat 28gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 26gCholesterol 202mgSodium 2973mgCarbohydrates 30gFiber 5gSugar 7gProtein 33g

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Leftover corned beef? Reuben Sandwich! Make this incredible hot sandwich for a change up in your lunch or dinner menu. With a combination of Swiss Cheese, corned beef, mustard, piquant sauerkraut and delicious 1000 Island dressing on rye bread.

Reg galbraith

Monday 30th of April 2018

Awesome sandwiches... Couple of changes ( because I can't leave as is) My grilled cheese is buttered all sides, so l buttered all sides here. I screwed up and used ranch dressing instead of 1000 islands. Swiss cheese on both sides of the corned beef. Saurcrout on mine, but not for my wife My wife doesn't like corned beef but I got high praise from her. Mine was covered in saurcrout and was delicious Nice meal for sure

Diane

Monday 30th of April 2018

Hi Reg, The Reuben sandwich is hard to beat! I'm glad you could make it work for your personal style. And YAY that your wife enjoyed it too. Thank you for stopping by and letting us know how you enjoyed this iconic sandwich!Have a great day!

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