Reuben sandwich is an absolute favorite for parties and 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.
Reuben Sandwich
My best Reuben sandwich recipe is one that is loaded with sauce, cheese, and warm sauerkraut in perfectly buttered rye bread. If this is you then you’ll be pleased with this recipe. Honestly, I think hubby and I would be the happiest couple of all the happies out there if I made these everyday for the rest of our married life.
Molten Swiss cheese will absolutely spill out the sides of your sandwich, as will drips of sauce and add to that the salty zesty factor that comes along with the sauerkraut. You’ll get a voice in your head that will say ” this is my moment.. a real yum moment.”
Reuben Sandwich FAQs
What sauce to use in a Reuben sandwich?
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.
What side dish goes with a Reuben sandwich?
You can serve this sandwich with potato salad, dill pickles, chips, and coleslaw. But seriously it is very satisfying on its own.
Is a Reuben made with pastrami or corned beef?
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.
Reuben sandwich step by step:
- Spread sauce generously over one slice of bread.
- Top that with a slice of Swiss cheese.
- Then another two slices of corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese and finally another bread slice.
- Repeat the process to make 4 of these sandwiches.
- In a cast iron or non stick skillet, melt a tablespoon of butter then place the sandwiches.
- When they are golden and crunchy, flip them over to the other side. If you feel it needs more butter then add another tablespoon.
- Repeat to finish the 4 sandwiches. And that’s it, easy and quick dinner/lunch idea.
Wait till you get a bite of this, so addicting and so delicious 😋. 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.
A final note though: 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.
You may need:
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A cast iron skillet is one of the handy dandy tools in my kitchen. I love Lodge and this skillet has been with me for years now… very durable.
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Reuben Sandwich Recipe
Reuben sandwich recipe is one of our most requested recipes. Melted swiss cheese, loads of sauce, salty sauerkraut and corned beef all perfectly combined.
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter.
- 8 slices of rye bread.
- 8 slices Swiss cheese.
- 1/2 cup Big Mac sauce or thousand island dressing.
- 8 slices 12-16 oz sliced corned beef.
- 1 cup sauerkraut squeezed dry and warmed in the microwave.
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Spread 4 slices of bread each with almost 2 Tablespoons of sauce and add 1 slice of cheese on top.
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Add two slices of corned beef then top that with another slice of cheese.
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Place another slice of bread on top to make a total of 4 sandwiches.
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Place a cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt 1 Tablespoon of butter, swirl to coat.
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Cook two sandwiches until golden brown and crisp.
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Flip the sandwiches and cook on the other side, add more butter if needed.
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Repeat with the other two sandwiches and cook on both sides until cheese melts and bread is crisp and golden
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Serve with additional dressing and pickles.
Nutrition facts does not include the sauce. For details about my sauce, check out my recipe here.
Other Sandwiches you might like
Merchant pockets
Eggplant Grilled Cheese
Delicious! made some with pastrami too.
Neil, that’s terrific to hear. Thanks
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!
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.
Made it as is no changes at all came out so delicious and very filling.
Kelly, thank you so much for your feedback, I am happy you liked it.
I used thousand Island dressing and used sourdough bread- perfect.
Lydia, thank you for trying this recipe. Happy you liked it.
One of the best things about St. Patrick’s Day is having leftover corned beef. Great for making a Ruben like yours.
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 😉
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.
Count me in for your Big Mac sauce! I’ve never made a Reuben sandwich before, but it looks easy and delicious!
It is so easy and very delicious too. Can be made with deli pastrami cuts if you feel lazy.