Reuben Sandwich
About This Reuben Sandwich Recipe
I’m a HUGE fan of Reubens, but they are truly hit or miss at restaurants. Most places use thin slices of corned beef or pastrami, but recently I ordered one that used thick, juicy chunks of fresh corned beef—and it completely changed the game. That sandwich was the inspiration for this recipe.
I made my own corned beef so that I could slice it fresh and thick (your crockpot corned beef recipe is linked here), and of course, you have to make your own Thousand Island dressing. I like extra onions in mine for the flavor, but you can always adjust based on your preferences.
This is classic, decadent, melty, salty, tangy perfection. Enjoy!!
Why You’ll Love This
Thick-cut corned beef instead of thin deli slices
Easy homemade Thousand Island dressing
Perfect crispy buttery toast
Cozy deli flavors you can make at home
A great way to use leftover corned beef
Ingredients You’ll Need
Rye bread, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, homemade or store-bought corned beef, salted butter, and simple pantry staples for Thousand Island dressing.
How to Make
Toast rye bread in a skillet with butter. Mix and chill the Thousand Island dressing. Warm the corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, then assemble the sandwich with dressing and toasted bread. Slice and enjoy.
Tips for Success
Toast the bread first for better structure.
Use thick-cut corned beef for a restaurant-quality bite.
Warm the filling before assembling for perfect meltiness.
Drain sauerkraut well to avoid sogginess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pastrami?
Yes, pastrami works great if you prefer a smokier flavor.
Can I make the dressing ahead?
Yes—it tastes even better the next day.
Should the sauerkraut be heated?
I prefer heating it with the corned beef and cheese for even warmth.
What bread is best?
Seeded or unseeded rye works—just choose a sturdy loaf.
What to Serve With
Kettle chips, fries, a dill pickle spear, potato salad, or coleslaw.
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Reuben Sandwich
Ingredients
- Rye Bread
- Swiss Cheese
- Sauerkraut
- Corned Beef
- Salted Butter
- Thousand Island Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1/3 cup finely chopped white onion
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, chopped onion, vinegar or lemon juice, and sugar. Mix until well combined.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to your preference.
- Transfer the Thousand Island dressing to a jar or airtight container.
- Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
- Take 2 slices of bread for every sandwich that you plan on making, and butter one side of each slice of bread.
- In a medium or large pan on medium heat, fry the bread butter-side down until golden brown. Remove from pan and add a liberal amount of thousand island dressing to each piece of bread.
- I like to heat the corned beef in the microwave with the sauerkraut and Swiss cheese so that it heats evenly and gets melty enough. You can also assemble the sandwich and cook it like a grilled cheese in the pan.
- Slice and have the best time of your life!
