Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (2024)

by Traci ·

5 from 20 votes

Total 15 minutes minutes

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This Reuben sandwich recipe shows you how to make a classic Reuben with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and zesty Reuben sauce. Make this delectable, deli-quality sandwich right in your own kitchen!

Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (1)

Table of Contents hide

1) Why you'll love this recipe

2) What's on a Reuben sandwich?

3) What kind of meat goes on a Reuben?

4) How to make a Reuben sandwich

5) Storage and reheat instructions

6) Recipe tips and variations

7) Perfect Reuben sandwich sides

8) 📖 Recipe

9) The BEST Reuben Sandwich Recipe (with Easy Reuben Sauce)

Why you'll love this recipe

  • The grilled Reuben is a hugely popular, scrumptious deli sandwich and you'll learn exactly how to make it deli-style and right at home – all toasty and dreamy.
  • You only need 5 simple components for this delectable sandwich: corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese, Reuben sauce, and bread.
  • A Reuben sandwich is a great way to use corned beef leftovers especially after St. Patrick's Day. But, it's also an excellent reason to make homemade corned beef, even when it's not a holiday.

What's on a Reuben sandwich?

  • corned beef - You can use deli-sliced meat for convenience, but it pays in quality and price to know how to cook corned beef for Reuben sandwiches, especially when you make more than a few.
  • sauerkraut - The tangy flavor contrasts nicely with savory corned beef on a Reuben. Packaged kraut is super convenient for this recipe.
  • Swiss cheese - This adds a deliciously sweet, nutty flavor and comforting texture, especially on a grilled Reuben.
  • Reuben sauce - Whip up this easy Reuben dressing with ketchup, mayonnaise, sriracha, horseradish, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. It's also called Russian dressing and no Reuben sandwich should be without it. Of course, thousand island dressing is also a popular choice.
  • bread - Use any rye bread for a traditional Reuben such as Jewish rye, Russian rye, Sourdough rye, or marbled rye.
  • butter - Since grilled Reuben is made on a griddle like grilled cheese, you need a small amount of fat, such as butter or oil, to brown the bread.
  • (recommended) pickles - Garnish your delicious Reuben with homemade pickles or any store-bought dill pickles.
Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (2)
Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (3)

What kind of meat goes on a Reuben?

A classic Reuben sandwich is made with corned beef. However, an equally delicious, less traditional Reuben, aka Rachel, is made with beef pastrami, turkey pastrami, or lean roast turkey breast in place of the corned beef.

How to make a Reuben sandwich

These step-by-step photo instructions show you how to layer and cook a classic Reuben using a griddle or skillet. You'll find details in the printable recipe card below.

Recommended: Before layering the Reuben, gently warm the corned beef using any method to bring out its juicy, delectable flavor.

Step 1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, horseradish, ketchup, sriracha, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper to make Reuben sauce. Set aside.

Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (4)
Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (5)

Step 2. Preheat the griddle or skillet over medium heat. To make the sandwich, spread butter on either side of each bread slice. Place butter-side down on the preheated griddle. Spread Reuben sauce on the sides facing up.

Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (6)

Step 3: Add sandwich ingredients in layers from the bottom up. Start with Swiss cheese, then pile up the corned beef, add a spoonful of Reuben sauce, a pile of sauerkraut, and more cheese if desired. Close the sandwich.

Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (7)

Step 4. Grill the Reuben until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown and toasted, flipping as needed. Serve warm and garnish with a pickle and extra dipping sauce.

Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (8)

Storage and reheat instructions

Allow the sandwich to cool down and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 days. Replace bread, if desired, and reheat the Reuben loosely covered in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven, toaster oven, or air fryer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until warmed through. A medium heat setting on a stove griddle or panini grill is also effective for reheating.

Recipe tips and variations

  • As mentioned in the how-to section above, I recommend gently warming the meat before assembly because it softens the corned beef, which makes it even more juicy and delectable. It also helps melt the cheese.
  • Use provolone or mozzarella as a substitute for Swiss cheese, if desired.
  • Substitute the sauerkraut with fresh classic coleslaw piled up on the grilled Reuben or enjoy as a refreshing side dish.
  • I recommend sourdough bread or sliced French for your non-rye people.

Perfect Reuben sandwich sides

  • pickled beets
  • potato chips
  • french fries
  • smashed potatoes
  • potato salad

📖 Recipe

Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (9)

The BEST Reuben Sandwich Recipe (with Easy Reuben Sauce)

How to make a classic Reuben sandwich with corned beef, sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and a zingy Reuben dressing.

Prep TimePrep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook TimeCook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total timeTotal Time: 15 minutes mins

Yield 2 sandwiches

5 from 20 votes

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Ingredients

  • pound Cooked Corned Beef divided
  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Horseradish
  • ½ teaspoon Sriracha
  • teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • pinch Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Butter softened
  • 4 slices Rye Bread
  • 4 slices Swiss Cheese
  • ½ cup Sauerkraut drained

Instructions

  • (Recommended) Before layering the Reuben, gently warm the CORNED BEEF using any method to bring out its juicy, delectable flavor.

  • In a small bowl, make the Reuben sauce by whisking together MAYONNAISE, KETCHUP, HORSERADISH, SRIRACHA, WORCESTERSHIRE, SALT, and PEPPER. Set aside.

  • Preheat the griddle or skillet over medium heat.

  • To make the sandwich, spread BUTTER on either side of each RYE BREAD slice. Place butter-side down down on the preheated griddle. Spread Reuben sauce on the sides facing up.

  • Add sandwich ingredients in layers from the bottom up. Start with SWISS CHEESE, then pile up the CORNED BEEF, add a spoonful of REUBEN SAUCE, followed by SAUERKRAUT, and more CHEESE if desired. Close the sandwich.

  • Grill the Reuben until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown and toasted, flipping as needed.

  • Serve warm. Garnish with a pickle and extra dipping sauce.

Final step

Click stars to vote. Please visit 'Comments' below for reviews.

5 from 20 votes

Video

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Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 689kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1901mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 464IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 371mg | Iron: 4mg

Course Dinner, Lunch, Sandwich

Cuisine American

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Comments

  1. Alison Libby says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (10)
    I make mine the same way, but thanks for the tip to warm the meat first. Makes perfect sense. I will try your sauce in the future. And I am a 2 cheese cook, top and bottom. I think it makes flipping easier.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay! So glad you're enjoying my method. And yes to the Reuben sauce! It's my favorite. Thanks for sharing your experience!

  2. Ana F. says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (11)
    My hubby is a loves a good Reuben Sandwich and this one did not disappoint! He's asking for me to make it again already lol! The sauce came out so good. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  3. Maayke says

    I've never had a Reuben sandwich before but it looks fantastic! I will definitely try this recipe!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay! So glad you can enjoy this one 🙂 Thanks so much. Enjoy!

  4. Jill says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (12)
    Well now I'm hungry! I appreciate that your recipe has a homemade sauce. That totally puts it over the top. Thank you for the recipe!!

    Reply

  5. Shashi says

    That sauce is money! This is one heck of a good looking Reuben!

    Reply

  6. Ned says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (13)
    My boy and I made these and totally enjoyed em! Thank you for an awesome sandwich recipe that I can keep coming back to. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Awesome, Ned! Glad to hear it was enjoyed by both of you 🙂 Thanks for saying so! Cheers!

  7. Stephanie says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (14)
    I had my first reuben at 46 years old. My daughter had ordered food, and they brought her a reuben instead of what she ordered. So I ate it. And it was AMAZING! I haven't had one in a while, but I'm definitely making this shortly!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay! I'm glad you can enjoy this one. Enjoy!

  8. Dannii says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (15)
    I never knew that was how the sauce was made. I can't wait to give this a try.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Thanks! I'm glad you can enjoy this one. Enjoy!

  9. Amanda says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (16)
    What a perfect sandwich, with just the right amount of crunch and meat.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yes! I'm glad you can enjoy this one. Thanks so much!

  10. Kushigalu says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (17)
    LOve the combination of flavors in this sandwich recipe. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      You're so welcome! The Reuben sandwich is definitely known for flavor which is why it's one of my favorites, for sure! Enjoy!

  11. Sara Welch says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (18)
    This was everything a gourmet sandwich should be, and then some! Easily, a new favorite recipe; hands down delicious!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay! So glad you love it as much as I do 🙂 It's an easy fav here too! Thanks. Enjoy!

  12. JB says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (19)
    This grilled Reuben is as good as any you'd get in a deli. You don't really think you need a Reuben sandwich recipe ... until you go to make one LOL. I love your step by step instructions and your Russian dressing knocks it out of the park! Another winner KG!

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      You're so right about needing a recipe, or at least the steps 🙂 I'm glad you love it as much as I do!

  13. Alisa Infanti says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (20)
    Such a classic. This recipe nailed it!

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Yay! Glad you enjoyed 🙂 Thanks!

  14. Tayler Ross says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (21)
    We made these reubens over the weekend and OMG were they fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Yayyy! So glad you enjoyed 🙂 They're one of my favorite sandwiches for sure! Thanks!

  15. Sara Welch says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (22)
    This was everything a gourmet sandwich should be, and then some! So hearty and delicious; easily, a new favorite recipe!

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Ohhh I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback. Reuben sandwich is one of my top favorites for sure! 🙂

  16. Jamie says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (23)
    This reuben sandwich made a hearty and satisfying lunch! My family loved it!

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Awesome!! Thanks for letting me know and glad everyone enjoyed 🙂

  17. Kris says

    Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (24)
    Absolute perfect textures and flavors! Thank you for another winner. 🙂

    Reply

    • The Kitchen Girl says

      Yayy! So glad you're enjoying it 🙂 Thanks!

Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Easy Reuben Sauce - The Kitchen Girl (2024)

FAQs

What is reuben sauce made of? ›

In a small bowl, make the Reuben sauce by whisking together MAYONNAISE, KETCHUP, HORSERADISH, SRIRACHA, WORCESTERSHIRE, SALT, and PEPPER. Set aside. Preheat the griddle or skillet over medium heat. To make the sandwich, spread BUTTER on either side of each RYE BREAD slice.

How do you keep a Reuben from getting soggy? ›

Why is my Reuben sandwich soggy? The culprit is most likely the sauerkraut. Be sure to drain off as much liquid as possible from the sauerkraut before piling it onto your Reuben sandwich to prevent any sogginess. It's also best to serve Reubens soon after griddling to keep the toasted bread nice and crisp.

Should a Reuben have pastrami or corned beef? ›

You could also opt for pastrami in place of the corned beef, which isn't the traditional meat in a Reuben, but it still tastes damned good. Typically at delis, the meat will be steamed whole, then carved by hand while it's still hot.

What was on the original Reuben sandwich? ›

He decided to try something new for his friends and put together the first reuben sandwich using swiss cheese, corned beef, sauerkraut, and his special deli sauce on rye. It was such a big hit with his poker group, he decided to include it on the menu of a nearby hotel and it grew in popularity ever since.

What is a dirty Reuben sandwich? ›

Dirty Reuben - Roast Beef, Dirty Dressing, Purple Slaw, American Cheese. Paul Reuben - Pastrami, Purple Slaw, French Dressing, Swiss Cheese.

Is Russian dressing the same as Thousand Island? ›

The key distinction between the two spreads lies in their flavor profiles. Russian dressing features horseradish and chili pepper, making it spicy. Sweet pickle relish is a key ingredient in Thousand Island dressing, which makes it sweet.

What's the difference between Reuben and New Yorker? ›

The New Yorker is made of 10 ounces of fresh steamed corned beef and pastrami, melted Swiss, and spicy brown mustard on toasted sliced marbled rye bread. California Turkey Reuben is Butterball Turkey, fresh, house-made coleslaw, melted Swiss, and a signature Thousand Island dressing on toasted sliced marbled.

Are Reubens better hot or cold? ›

A Reuben can be served cold, but it's far better when it is served hot like the recipe calls for. The melted cheese blends all the ingredients together for a messy and delightful sandwich.

Should a Reuben be toasted? ›

A Reuben is a classic deli sandwich made with rye bread, corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and either Russian or Thousand Island dressing. You could serve the sandwich cold, but it gains a warm, melty consistency when the sandwich is toasted.

What is a Reuben without sauerkraut called? ›

The Rachel sandwich is one of several variations on the famous sandwich. Instead of the classic corned beef and sauerkraut, the Rachel is usually made with turkey or pastrami and coleslaw. Both sandwiches are made with Swiss cheese and rye bread.

What is a Texas Reuben? ›

A staple in delicatessens throughout the country, a typical Reuben includes pastrami and vinegar-y sauerkraut on some rye bread. We knew that we could do better, and decided to experiment one weekend with our menu. This Texas Reuben features our own lean smoked brisket thrown over some buttered and griddled rye bread.

Is Arby's Reuben real corned beef? ›

About the Sandwich

Marbled rye bread filled with freshly sliced corned beef, melty Swiss Cheese, tangy sauerkraut and creamy Thousand Island dressing. This is a Reuben sandwich inspired by the New York standard.

What is a cowboy Reuben? ›

#123 TNT Cowboy Reuben

Hand-pulled, beef brisket simmered in our own BBQ sauce topped with coleslaw and provolone cheese, served on a grilled Paesano roll from Zingerman's Bakehouse. Yee-haw! Dave's favorite!

What is a Katz Reuben? ›

Slice hot corned beef. Butter and grill, on both sides, 2 slices bread. Place meat in mound and cover with sauerkraut and cheese. Place into preheated oven and cook until cheese is melted. Spread Russian dressing on bread and cover to make a sandwich.

Why is it called a Rachel sandwich? ›

Rachel sandwich

In some parts of the United States, especially Michigan, this turkey variant is known as a "Georgia Reuben" or "California Reuben", and it may also call for barbecue sauce or French dressing instead of Russian dressing. The name may have originated from the 1871 song "Reuben and Rachel".

Is a Reuben made of Russian dressing? ›

Sauce – A traditional Reuben sandwich uses creamy Russian dressing for the sauce, but Thousand Island dressing is another popular option that tastes really similar, albeit slightly sweeter with a bit less kick than Russian dressing.

What is a good substitute for Russian dressing? ›

Homemade Catalina Salad Dressing is sweet and tangy; similar to Russian Salad Dressing. It is also delicious as a marinade and cooking sauce.

What is a good substitute for Reuben cheese? ›

Provolone is just about the only other cheese I think would taste acceptable on a reuben. Apparently there is a dip recipe called Reuben dip that uses both cheddar and Swiss.

How unhealthy is a Reuben sandwich? ›

About the Reuben

Unfortunately, this traditional sandwich is NOT one that I consider "heart healthy" as it provides approximately 800 calories, 50 grams fat, 20 grams of the artery-clogging saturated fat, 40 grams carbohydrates, 36 grams protein, and a whopping 3200 mg.

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