Reuben Sandwich

The classic Reuben sandwich will always be one of my all-time lunch faves. The salty, cured corned beef balances perfectly with the tart sauerkraut and mild, almost creamy melted Swiss. Plus, it all sits between two slices of toasted rye bread, one of the best sandwich breads of all time (in my humble opinion). If you’re craving this classic, skip the deli and make this homemade version—I promise, it won’t disappoint. Here's everything you need to know:

What People Are Saying:
“I've made this recipe several times, it's my favorite. I make it as is and it's the best as far as I'm concerned. I share it with any interested parties. Love it, and thank you!” - Samsara

“I made this exactly as the recipe was written. Everyone said it was the best Reuben they ever had! It was the Russian dressing they said, so don't take a shortcut on this!” - pig9015

How To Make A Reuben Sandwich

INGREDIENTS

• Rye Bread & Butter: Rye bread spread with butter results in toasty slices that are just non-negotiable when it comes to a perfect Reuben sandwich.
• Russian Dressing: Skip the store-bought bottle if possible—our homemade Russian dressing is truly something special. Here, we’re combining horseradish, mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and a bit of sugar for an easy (and delicious) dressing. That being said, we get creative in other recipes by adding garlic powder and relish. This is all about personal preference, so start with our recipe here, then experiment based on personal taste.
• Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese adds a mild but noticeable flavor to the sandwich, and when melted, adds an almost creamy element.
• Corned Beef: If you have any leftover corned beef, this sandwich is the perfect way to use it up, but you can always make our best-ever corned beef brisket. No time to make corned beef? No prob—you can easily pick some up at your local deli or grocery store.
• Sauerkraut: A Reuben isn’t a Reuben without crunchy, salty, and sour sauerkraut. Feel free to use your favorite brand here, and if you need ideas for leftovers, check out our top sauerkraut recipes.
  

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Once you have your corned beef and Russian dressing ready to go, this sandwich is a breeze to create. First, butter one side of each slice of bread, then spread Russian dressing on the non-butter side of each slice. Layer on the cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut on half of the slices, then top each sandwich with the remaining slice, dressing side down.

Heat a skillet over medium heat, then carefully place the prepared sandwich in the skillet. Cook until the bread is toasty and golden and the cheese has melted. This will take around 3 minutes per side, but keep an eye on it.

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

Reuben Variations

Can't get enough of the classic Reuben flavors? Check out some of our other variations, from our Reuben squares to Reuben casserole to Reuben nachos to Reuben bowls.

What To Serve With A Reuben

I can never get enough of the classic sandwich + chips combo, but if you’re looking to take things up a notch, serve this sandwich with homemade classic potato salad, vinegar coleslaw, or air fryer French fries.