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 Sandwich Recipes
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.
Print
Pin
Rate
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
Did You Make This Recipe?Mention @smalltownwomanfoodnut or tag #smalltownwomanfoodnut!
Are you on the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Lisa
Yum, yum, yum, I just made this over the weekend for my family, and they said it was so juicy and good. I didn’t make my own thousand Island dressing but I’m going to try your recipe the next time I cook a corn beef.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lisa! Enjoy!
alejandra
Quick and easy recipe for a Reuben sandwich. I made it with corned beef sliced thin, and it turned out amazing.
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked it, Alejandra!
Kat
Warming up the corned beef first is a clever way to make sure the middle is hot when the cheese melts. Draining that sauerkraut well is the real secret for keeping the rye bread from getting soggy.
Beth Pierce
I agree on both counts.
Ben
Great, great Reuben. I made this with some home fries, and my belly was sufficiently happy.
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked it.
Annabelle
Ooh this was SO good! I love trying new sandwiches! Yum! Thanks for sharing this one!
Pauline
I love a good reuben sandwich. This was a great reuben sandwich and I thank you for the recipe. There is just something about all that thin sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and homemade thousand island dressing all grilled up!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Pauline! I could not agree more!
Tina
What a delicious sandwich! This was absolutely amazing! I had the corned beef shaved and the whole family loved it.
Robyn H
Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this scrumptious toasted Reuben Sandwich recipe! We all loved it. It’s a mouthwatering delight you won’t want to miss!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Robyn! So glad that you liked it!
Lisa Estes
Best reuben sandwich ever! My family loves them and now they are a regular thing! I highly recommend them!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Lisa!
Mandy C
I am obsessed with rueben sandwiches and love trying all kinds of variations, especially turkey ones. This recipes looks like a must try for me!