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Make the deli favorite at home with this classic Reuben sandwich recipe! With layers of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing grilled between two buttered slices of rye bread, it’s a flavorful, satisfying meal that comes together in less than 20 minutes. Serve the sandwiches with a side of pickles and potato chips for an easy lunch or dinner!
Classic Reuben Sandwich
The Reuben sandwich is a classic American grilled sandwich that’s made with a combination of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on rye bread. While the origins of the sandwich are not clear, it’s widely associated with kosher-style delicatessens (even though it’s not actually kosher). Whether the first Reuben was served at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, or at Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City, one thing is certain: this popular sandwich has been a favorite since the early 20th century — and you can easily make it at home!
What is the difference between a Reuben and a Rachel sandwich?
While both the Reuben and the Rachel sandwich are grilled on rye bread with melted Swiss cheese, the Rachel includes turkey or pastrami and coleslaw, rather than the classic corned beef and sauerkraut combination that you find on a Reuben.
The Sauce
Since Russian dressing is the classic Reuben sandwich spread, I’ve included a quick homemade recipe for this sweet and creamy sauce. Just stir together mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, white vinegar, salt and pepper. If you prefer a shortcut, you can certainly substitute with your favorite brand of store-bought Russian or Thousand Island dressing instead.
Reuben Sandwich Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for a homemade Reuben sandwich. As always, the exact measurements and specific cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe at the bottom of the post.
- Bread: rye bread is a classic choice, but pumpernickel, marbled rye, or sourdough will all work well.
- Butter: for grilling the sandwiches.
- Corned beef: find this flavorful, thinly-sliced meat at the deli counter in your grocery store. You can substitute with pastrami, turkey or roast beef.
- Sauerkraut: refrigerated or canned will work, just make sure that you drain it really well. Coleslaw is also a nice substitute if you don’t like the fermented tang of sauerkraut.
- Swiss cheese: one large slice or two smaller slices per sandwich should be the perfect amount.
- Russian dressing: prepare the homemade spread shown here, or use store-bought Russian or Thousand Island dressing for a shortcut.
How to Make a Reuben Sandwich
This hearty and delicious sandwich is a satisfying lunch or a quick weeknight dinner. Best of all, it comes together in less than 20 minutes!
- Stir together the Russian dressing.
- Assemble sandwiches by layering sauce, corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese on 4 slices of buttered bread. Top with the remaining slices of buttered bread.
- Grill the sandwiches on a large griddle or cast iron skillet until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 4 minutes per side.
- Slice in half and serve!
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Reubens with either potato chips or French fries. Don’t forget the fountain drink, sweet tea, or fresh-squeezed lemonade, too! Here are some other easy sides that go well with the sandwiches:
- Three Bean Salad
- Carrot and Raisin Salad
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Coleslaw
- Pickles
- Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing or Caesar Salad
- Baked Potato Wedges
- Potato Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese or Baked Mac and Cheese
Reuben Sandwich Variations
- Use roast beef, turkey or pastrami in lieu of the corned beef.
- Swap out the sauerkraut and replace it with sweet, creamy coleslaw (like a Rachel sandwich)!
- Switch up the cheese and use Colby, American, sharp Cheddar or Pepper Jack cheeses instead of the Swiss.
- For an open-faced Reuben, skip the top slice of bread. Toast the bottom slice, pile it high with the dressing, meat, sauerkraut and cheese; then pop it under the broiler for a few minutes so that the cheese melts.
Tips for the Best Reuben Sandwich Recipe
- For even quicker prep, stir together the Russian dressing up to 4 days in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Cook the sandwiches slowly so that the inside of the sandwiches can heat through and the cheese can melt without the bread burning. If the bread is browning too quickly before the cheese melts, reduce the heat to low and cover the sandwiches.
- Use a sturdy bread that can stand up to a hearty grilled sandwich. Rye, pumpernickel, and sourdough are great options. I don’t recommend a simple white sandwich bread in this case.
- Cook the sandwiches in a cast iron skillet or on a larger cast iron griddle. These heavy skillets conduct heat really well and yield the crispiest bread.
More Sandwich Recipes to Try
- Classic Patty Melt
- Homemade Sloppy Joes
- Classic Tuna Melt
- Crispy Fried Fish Sandwiches
- Tomato Sandwich
- French Dip Sandwiches
Reuben Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
For the Russian Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Sandwiches:
- 8 slices rye or pumpernickel bread
- ¼ cup salted butter (or more less, to taste), at room temperature
- ¾ lb. thinly-sliced cooked corned beef
- 1 cup sauerkraut, drained (or use coleslaw)
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
Instructions
To Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, relish, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
To Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices, buttered-side down, on a cutting board. Spread 1 tablespoon of Russian dressing on each of the 4 slices. Top each slice with ¼ of the corned beef, ¼ cup of sauerkraut, and 1 slice of Swiss cheese. Top each sandwich with one of the remaining slices of bread, buttered-side up.
- Heat a griddle or large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the sandwiches to the griddle and cook until golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the sandwiches over and continue cooking until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 4 more minutes.
Notes
- For even quicker prep, stir together the Russian dressing up to 4 days in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Cook the sandwiches slowly so that the inside of the sandwiches can heat through and the cheese can melt without the bread burning. If the bread is browning too quickly before the cheese melts, reduce the heat to low and cover the sandwiches.
- Use a sturdy bread that can stand up to a hearty grilled sandwich. Rye, pumpernickel, and sourdough are great options. I don’t recommend a simple white sandwich bread in this case.
- Cook the sandwiches in a cast iron skillet or on a larger cast iron griddle. These heavy skillets conduct heat really well and yield the crispiest bread.
Blair you have saved my dinners again. I was totally over cooking and lost my desire this week until I saw this recipe. Thank you so much. So good! My hubby and sons loved it.
Oh, that’s so great to hear, Adela! I’m glad that the Reuben got you back in the kitchen. 🙂 It’s definitely one of my favorite sandwiches, so it’s nice to know that you can make it at home whenever you want, right?! Glad your family approved, too!