The Ultimate Reuben Sandwich

This Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich is the perfect combination of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing on Rye bread, creating a depth of flavor that’s both complex and perfectly balanced.

When it comes to sandwiches that pack a flavorful punch, the Corned Beef Reuben stands out as a timeless classic. It’s one of my favorite things to eat and since I don’t frequently buy corned beef, it also feels like a treat, just like these pork belly sandwiches I adore.

This recipe takes you through the steps of creating the perfect Reuben Sandwich, ensuring each bite brings a blend of savory, tangy, and creamy flavors that will have you coming back for more.

Why You’ll Love It

• Rich Flavor Profile: The combination of corned beef with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing creates the perfect sandwich.
• Texture Contrast: The crispness of the grilled rye bread against the tender corned beef and melting cheese offers a satisfying texture with every bite.
• Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this sandwich is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a quick lunch or a hearty dinner.

Ingredients You Need

• Rye bread – There are many types of rye you can buy. Marble rye is the best in my opinion. I’m often only able to find dark rye or Russian rye. Any version is fine to use.
• Butter – The butter needs to be softened so you can spread it on the bread.
• Corned beef – You can make your own corned beef, which is something we do every year in the spring or near St. Patrick’s Day, or you can buy it pre-made. Pastrami is also an option. Thicker cut corned beef is the ultimate though. Thinly sliced pastrami is good, but not AS good.
• Sauerkraut – You can use any brand of sauerkraut you like or make your own. I like Bubbies or Hengstenberg Bavarian Style Sauerkraut. Try it before you use it to make sure you like the taste.
• Swiss cheese – Again, make sure the brand you buy is one that you like.
• Thousand Island dressing – You can also make your own dressing (recipe included below) or buy it.

Helpful Tips

• To avoid a soggy sandwich, make sure to drain the sauerkraut thoroughly before adding it to your sandwich.
• Buttering the outside of the bread not only prevents it from sticking to the skillet but also gives the rye bread its signature golden crust.
• Cooking the sandwich on a griddle or in a skillet allows for even heat distribution, ensuring your sandwich cooks evenly and the cheese melts perfectly.

How to Make a Reuben Sandwich

Step 1: Prepare the bread

Butter one side of 2 slices of bread. Lay them buttered-side-down on the skillet.

Spread a layer of Thousand Island dressing on the tops of those pieces of bread. This dressing acts as a flavor-packed glue, holding all the delicious fillings in place.

Step 2: Assemble the sandwich

Now put the corned beef, a generous helping of sauerkraut, and two slices of Swiss cheese on top of the bread, in that order; it doesn’t just affect the taste, it ensures the cheese melts into the sauerkraut and beef, binding everything together.

Spread Thousand Island dressing on the other slices of bread and place them dressing-side-down on the sandwiches. Lastly, spread butter on the top piece of bread. Just like you would a grilled cheese sandwich. The butter on the outside of the sandwich will help get a crispy, crunchy exterior.

Step 3: Cook

Now turn on the heat under the skillet – you want it at a medium heat. This ensures your sandwich cooks through without burning.

Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until you see the bread turn a beautiful shade of golden brown and the cheese starts to ooze.

Once cooked, remove the sandwiches and let them sit for a minute before cutting them in half. This short wait helps the flavors meld together even more.

How to Make Thousand Island Dressing

If you want to make your own Thousand Island dressing, it’s very easy and you likely already have the ingredients on hand. Here is our recipe:

• 1/3 cup mayo
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.

Storing & Reheating

I don’t really recommend storing and reheating your sandwiches because the components can make them soggy when they sit for an extended period of time. It would be best to keep all the components separate and put together another sandwich with the leftovers right before eating it.

However, I realize you might find yourself with a partial sandwich leftover. You can store it in the refrigerator, properly wrapped, and reheat it on the stovetop when you’re ready to eat it again. Just beware that it will likely become soggy in the meantime, and that internal sogginess can’t really be undone, though the exterior will become crispy again.

Questions About the Recipe

Like it, Love it, Want Some More of It? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. We really love it when you save our recipes to Pinterest 😊