Reuben sandwich is an absolute favorite for parties or weeknight dinners. This Reuben sandwich recipe is easy with tips and step by step to make it perfect. Hands down, it is the best way to use leftover corned beef .
Wonder how to make a delicious corned beef, here is a slow cooker corned beef recipe.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- A great way to use up any leftover corned beef.
- Great for parties, tailgating or an easy dinner idea.
- Take about 5-10 minutes max and it is done.
- Minimal effort is required for a delicious meal bursting with flavors especially when paired with this homemade sauce.
📝 Ingredients
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Spread sauce generously over one slice of bread then top with a slice of Swiss cheese.
- Top with two slices of leftover corned beef and sauerkraut.
- Add another slice of cheese and top with a slice of bread.
- In a cast iron or non stick skillet, melt butter then brown sandwiches on both sides until golden brown.
👍 Amira's Tips
- Make sure to drain sauerkraut well and warm it up first in the microwave before adding to the sandwich or else it won't be warm enough when the sandwich is ready.
- If you like the tangy taste, we do, do not rinse the sauerkraut.
- When toasting if you feel it needs more butter then add another tablespoon.
- If you are in a hurry you can use thousand island or Russian dressing other than that I feel my big mac sauce is way better.
- However if you do not like any of these sauce feel free to just use mayonnaise.
- I loved mine super crunchy took me about 4-5 minutes on each side. For the no-crunch kids I have, just 1-2 minutes was enough.
- Most people make their Reuben sandwiches by buttering the bread first. Personally. I've found that this way uses more butter than necessary and messy. If this is your thing then for sure go ahead.
💬 FAQs
Well, many people use the thousand island, others prefer to use Russian sauce. I like to use my own homemade one. You know I am crazy about this homemade sauce and I use it now on, in and above every sandwich I made. The point is all the ingredients are there in the fridge I just pull them out and make a batch, easier and quicker than going to the store to buy a whole bottle of whatever sauce I need.
You can serve this sandwich with potato salad, dill pickles, chips, and coleslaw. But seriously it is very satisfying on its own.
Some people do not have a preference, others say that corned beef is the one. you'll find people saying pastrami just makes it tastier while others may say a Reuben sandwich made with pastrami is just a pastrami sandwich and lacks authenticity. So it depends on you and what you prefer to have in a Reuben sandwich.
📣 Related Recipes
- A Pizza Burger is a delicious sandwich that combines melty pizza topping and juicy, flavorful meat. An incredibly simple dinner option that is a party favorite.
If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.
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🥣 Equipment
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Reuben Sandwich with Leftover Corned Beef
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 slices of rye bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- ½ cup Big Mac sauce or thousand island dressing.
- 8 slices sliced corned beef (12-16 oz)
- 1 cup sauerkraut squeezed dry and warmed in the microwave.
Instructions
- Spread 4 slices of bread each with almost 2 Tablespoons of sauce and add 1 slice of cheese on top.
- Add two slices of corned beef on each slice.
- Top with about ¼ cup of warmed sauerkraut on each bread slice.
- Top that with another slice of cheese on each bread slice.
- Place another slice of bread on top to make a total of 4 sandwiches.
- Place a cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt 1 Tablespoon of butter, swirl to coat.
- Cook two sandwiches until golden brown and crisp.
- Flip the sandwiches and cook on the other side, add more butter if needed.
- Repeat with the other two sandwiches and cook on both sides until cheese melts and bread is crisp and golden
- Serve with additional dressing and pickles.
Notes
- For more notes and tips check the post above.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
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Neil
Delicious! made some with pastrami too.
Amira
Neil, that's terrific to hear. Thanks
Sam
This was soooo good with your big mac sauce! Wow! I never want a Reuben any other way from now on. One question though, why microwave the sauerkraut? Seems like it loses flavor from doing that, anyway the sandwich was good - thanks for sharing!
Amira
Sam, Thanks for trying this recipe out I am happy you've liked it. For the microwaving part, it is done to warm up the sauerkraut and tenderize it a bit, feel free to skip this step if you like it straight from the jar.
Kelly
Made it as is no changes at all came out so delicious and very filling.
Amira
Kelly, thank you so much for your feedback, I am happy you liked it.
Lydia
I used thousand Island dressing and used sourdough bread- perfect.
Amira
Lydia, thank you for trying this recipe. Happy you liked it.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
One of the best things about St. Patrick's Day is having leftover corned beef. Great for making a Ruben like yours.
Evelyne CulturEatz
OK that is a killer looking sandwich Amira, looks amazing and the cheese...yum. But I would have to put it in a challenge against a Montreal smoked meat sandwich 😉
John / Kitchen Riffs
Love a good Reuben sandwich! Not something I ever make at home, though -- always something I order when out. I need to change that! This looks terrific -- thanks.
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
Count me in for your Big Mac sauce! I've never made a Reuben sandwich before, but it looks easy and delicious!
Amira
It is so easy and very delicious too. Can be made with deli pastrami cuts if you feel lazy.