This scrumptious toasted Reuben Sandwich is piled high with melty Swiss cheese, thin layers of sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, and homemade thousand island dressing, all on rye bread. Discover the ultimate Reuben sandwich recipe with this step-by-step guide.
From perfectly toasted bread to layers of flavorful corned beef, sauerkraut, and melty Swiss cheese, this recipe will satisfy all your sandwich cravings. Serve with homemade air fryer potato wedges, potato salad, fried potatoes, or homemade potato chips. Don’t forget the dill pickle spear.
Ingredient Notes and Substitution
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Thousand Island Dressing: Some prefer Russian dressing. Russian dressing has horseradish and Worcestershire sauce, which Thousand Island does not have.
- Corned Beef: Ask the deli counter to slice the corned beef thin. Microwave the corned beef for about 45 seconds at 50% power to take the chill off.
- Bread: Use a dark rye bread, pumpernickel, or a rye/pumpernickel blend or swirl.
- Sauerkraut: Drain the sauerkraut well and squeeze or press against the side of the colander to release any excess moisture.
How Do You Make a Reuben Sandwich
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, grated onion, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, paprika, and salt.
- Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each slice of bread. Spread the cheese with the homemade Thousand Island dressing. Add the corned beef to one side and the sauerkraut to the other side.
- Carefully fold the two sides together to form a sandwich. Spread soft butter over the top and place the butter side down in a hot nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spread butter over the side facing up. Cover the skillet loosely with aluminum foil.
- Cook until the sandwich is golden brown, flipping halfway through. The sandwich should be heated through, and the cheese should be melted.
Preparation Tips
- Put the cheese on the bread first, as this helps the cheese melt better by being close to the heating element, and it also helps keep the bread from getting soggy.
- I like using thinly sliced corn beef so the Swiss and homemade Thousand Island dressing can meld between the slices.
- The dressing can be made up to several days in advance.
- Cover the skillet loosely with aluminum foil so the whole sandwich warms through and the cheese melts perfectly.
More Sandwiches to try
Classic Reuben Sandwich Recipe
The homemade thousand island dressing takes this Reuben Sandwich over the top. Better than your favorite deli Reuben, this sandwich hits the sweet spot just right.
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Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 625kcal
Ingredients
Thousand Island Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons grated onion
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 pinch paprika
- 1 pinch salt
Sandwiches
- 12 ounces corned beef
- 8 slices rye
- 8 slices swiss cheese
- 1 cup sauerkraut well drained
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, grated onion, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, paprika, and salt.
- Place a piece of Swiss cheese on each slice of bread. Spread about 1 tablespoon of dressing over each slice of bread. Add the corned beef to four of those slices of bread, dividing evenly.
- Add the sauerkraut to the other four slices of bread, dividing evenly. Carefully fold the corned beef sides onto the sauerkraut sides to form 4 sandwiches.
- Spread soft butter over the top of each sandwich. Place the sandwich butter side down in a hot skillet over medium-low heat. Spread butter over the side facing up. Cover the skillet loosely with aluminum foil.
- Cook until the bottom is golden brown, then flip. Cover and cook until the other side is golden brown. The sandwich should be heated through, and the cheese should be melted.
Nutrition
Calories: 625kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 56g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1739mg | Potassium: 391mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 799IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 328mg | Iron: 2mg
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Kim Guzman
That dressing is simply divine. It really made this sandwich. A dill pickle and French fries on the side. Yum!
Noelle Simpson
Yum! I forgot how much I enjoyed reuben sandwiches until I made this! Saving to make again soon!
Cate
Such a classic lunch sandwich, and yours looks incredible! Saving this to make soon!
Catalina
This sandwich looks so inviting! So perfect for my quick lunches!
Allyson Zea
This is such a classic sandwich, and I love the combination of these flavors!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
This Reuben Sandwich looks incredibly delicious!! I am so excited to try it!
katerina @ diethood.com
This Reuben Sandwich is amazing!! Everyone loved it!
Jen
I took your advice and had my teen make these for us for dinner. They were a huge hit! So delicious.
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This toasted Reuben Sandwich is looks absolutely tasteful!
Dorothy Reinhold
One of my very favorite sandwiches! Your tip about heating of the corned beef is SOOO smart!