Reuben Sandwich

This Reuben Sandwich is a classic American hot sandwich loaded with corned beef, sauerkraut and thousand island dressing! It’s undeniably satisfying and exceptionally easy to make. 

I had a craving for a reuben sandwiches last week and couldn’t stop thinking about it so I just HAD to make them again. This classic reuben sandwich recipe is incredibly easy to make and loaded with flavor. In only 11 minutes you can have this monster sandwich ready to eat. It’s definitely one to add to your repertoire.

Made with your choice of corned beef or pastrami, bold Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, tangy thousand island dressing and the bread of your choice, This reuben sandwich is super satisfying and perfect for lunch or dinner.

What is a reuben?

The Reuben sandwich is a traditional American grilled sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing – grilled between slices of rye bread. While Russian dressing is the time-honored dressing of choice, it is extremely common to find thousand island dressing being used as well.

Ingredients

Keep scrolling down to the recipe card for a list of FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump the Recipe” button at the top of the page!

• Bread – I used dark rye bread because I like the flavor it adds but feel free to use your favourite type of bread.
• Swiss Cheese – A staple in reuben sandwiches, shredded or sliced.
• Thousand Island Dressing – You can make this homemade version or use a store bought version.
• Sauerkraut – I found mine at my local grocery store. If you have a problem finding the sauerkraut, you can use coleslaw!
• Meat – Corned beef or pastrami, thinly sliced.
• Butter – I always use unsalted butter.

Russian dressing vs thousand island dressing

Russian dressing and Thousand Island dressing are often confused because both begin with a base of mayonnaise and ketchup or a ketchup-style chili sauce – resulting in a pink hued salad dressing. While they are extremely similar there is a slight difference between the two.

• Thousand Island – is a bit more on the sweet side and studded with pickle relish.
• Russian Dressing – is on the spicier side, with a hint of heat from horseradish and hot sauce. 

Both are exceptional choices to use on a reuben sandwich, it just depends on your preference.

How to make a reuben sandwich

I used a panini maker here, but if you don’t have one, here are the instructions on how to make it in a skillet.

1. Assemble the sandwich: Lay out 2 slices of bread on a cutting board. Top each with Swiss cheese, either shredded or sliced. Drizzle some thousand island dressing on each slice, then top with half of the corned beef on each. Finish with half of the sauerkraut on each slice then top each with another slice of bread. Spread about 1 tbsp of butter on the outside of the top slice.
2. Toast the sandwich: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place both sandwiches with the buttered bread down in the skillet and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Spread the remaining butter on the outside of the top slice of bread, flip the sandwich and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until golden.
3. Serve – Serve right away.

How to serve a Reuben

The ingredients in this sandwich are simplicity at its finest – the key is the assembly! Make sure to add a heaping helping of sauerkraut and corned beef or pastrami! The melted Swiss and warm thousand island dressing spread onto the toasted dark rye, truly ties the reuben together. Serve as is with a crunchy dill pickle or with a side of chips, fries or salad and you’ve got the ultimate sandwich combo.

The difference between corned beef and pastrami

While very similar, there are a few differences in these two meats.

• While both of the meats are cured, corned beef is then boiled while pastrami is smoked. Pastrami may also be rubbed with spices again before the smoking process.
• Corned beef is typically brisket: meat cut from the breast of an animal. While pastrami can also be brisket, it usually comes from the navel, which is the cut next to the brisket, closer to the belly than the breast

Both are traditional sandwich meats that you can find in your local deli or you can also make my homemade corned beef recipe – either choice will work well on this reuben.

How to store leftovers

Store ingredients separately in the fridge. Follow best before dates on ingredients.

More delicious recipes to try:

• Instant Pot Corned Beef
• French Dip Sandwiches
• Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Stromboli
• The Grilled Works
• Cucumber Sandwich Bites
• Chicken Fajita Sandwiches
• Hawaiian Cola Turkey Sandwiches
• BBQ Ranch Chicken Sandwiches
• Chicken Salad
• Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese